Pasadena, CA – UCLA was able to overcome an early 14 point deficit to defeat Arizona State 44-37 and are now .500 in the season.
“I am really proud of those young men,” said UCLA head coach, Jim Mora. “They are resilient, they have great character and tonight they showed great energy.”
The Bruins fell into a quick whole when ASU’s Demario Richards gave the Sun Devils a 14-0 lead after a 2-yard td run.
A Nate Meadors interception on the Bruins next defensive stand of the game changed the complexion of the game. Meadors took the deflected ball 27-yards for a touchdown and UCLA’s first score.
Josh Rosen and the Bruins tied the ballgame at 14in the 2nd quarter on a 1-yard QB option. A Manny Wilkins TD for ASU gave the Sun Devils and two field goals by UCLA’s JJ Molsen gave ASU a 21-20 lead at halftime.
After being suspended for the previous 3 games, UCLA WR Jordan Lasley exploded for his ball club tonight. Rosen found Lasley on several big plays down the field to set of the Bruins in scoring position.
“Its been a tough year for Jordan,” said Mora. “ College is about learning, growing up, maturing, going through difficult time, and Jordan has had some struggles. I was proud of him tonight, not only for the plays that he made but the control that he showed on the big plays.”
UCLA took its first lead of the game with 11:21 left in 3rd quarter on a 21-yard TD run by Soso Jamabo. 5 of the 79-yards on the ground by Bolu Olorunfunmi came on a TD in the 3rd quarter to give UCLA the lead for good 41-34.
Lasley finished the game with 162 yards receiving on 7 catches and 1 TD. Rosen went 25 of 45 for 381 –yards 1 TD and 1 interception.
UCLA will travel across town next week to play the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 5pm on ABC.
