UCLA football keeps bowl hopes alive with win over Arizona State

PASADENA — UCLA just watched a 10-point lead evaporate in 59 seconds. That’s when players started waving towels and bouncing up and down on the sideline. This is supposed to be fun, they were reminded.

In a season mostly devoid of fun moments, the Bruins rediscovered a reason to celebrate again and rekindled their dimming bowl hopes with a 44-37 win over the Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl.

“(We had) some great talks and really made a huge focus on the passion and the energy and the enthusiasm,” offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said. “And I really believe our guys are going to take that, run with it and it’s going to be fun.”

A plane flies over the Rose Bowl with banner that reads Guerrero 9-16 the last 25 games No Mora ! prior to a NCAA college football game between against the Arizona State Sun Devils and the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins tight end Austin Roberts (88) drops a pass over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Evan Fields (6) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes against against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) catches a pass fora first down over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Kobe Williams (5) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) catches a pass fora first down over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Kobe Williams (5) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) runs for a touchdown against against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) celebrates with teammates after running for a touchdown against against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) walks off the field after a three and out series against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Keisean Lucier-South (11) reacts after a interception, but after a review the play was reversed in the first half of a NCAA college football game against the against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins wide receiver Eldridge Massington (82) catches and drops a pass, but the against the Arizona State Sun Devils was called for pass interference in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for a first down against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for a first down against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins defensive back Nate Meadors (22) intercepts a against the Arizona State Sun Devils pass and runs for a touchdown in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) runs for yardage against the UCLA Bruins in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Arizona State Sun Devils running back Demario Richard (4) runs for a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins tight end Austin Roberts (88) runs for yardage against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins kicker JJ Molson (17) misses a field goal attempt against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Arizona State Sun Devils playing calling during a NCAA college football game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) scrambles against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins linebacker Kenny Young (42) tackles Arizona State Sun Devils running back Kalen Ballage (7) for a loss of yards in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for yardage against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins wide receiver Eldridge Massington (82) catches and drops a pass, but the against the Arizona State Sun Devils was called for pass interference in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins defense tackles Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Kyle Williams (10) for a loss of yards in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) passes against against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) catches a pass fora first down against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for a first down over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Chase Lucas (24) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins running back Giovanni Gentosi (45) catches a pass for a first down over Arizona State Sun Devils linebacker Christian Sam (2) and teammate defensive back Demonte King (28) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora reaches on the side lines in the second half of a NCAA college football game against the against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Jacob Tuioti-Mariner (91) reacts after sacking Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) scrambles against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for yardage against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins wide receiver Theo Howard (14) runs for yardage against the against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins defensive back Adarius Pickett (6) reacts after tackling Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Kobe Williams (5) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora runs off the field saying “I am not going to let you guys take my picture” as the UCLA Bruins defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 44-37 during a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora runs off the field saying “I am not going to let you guys take my picture” as the UCLA Bruins defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils 44-37 during a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins takes the field prior to a NCAA college football game against the against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for a first down against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) runs for a first down against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver N’Keal Harry (1) catches a pass for a first down over UCLA Bruins defensive back Octavius Spencer (18) and teammate defensive back Adarius Pickett (6) in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins running back Soso Jamabo (1) runs for yardage against the against the against the against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. UCLA Bruins won 44-37. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora runs off the field saying “I am not going to let you guys take my picture” as the UCLA Bruins defeated the against the Arizona State Sun Devils 44-37 during a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

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UCLA (5-5, 3-4 Pac-12) weathered a potential momentum-crushing blocked punt by relying on the week’s worth of lessons about energy. Arizona State scored a touchdown on a blocked punt with 2:13 to go in the third quarter, tying a game that the Bruins were leading by 10 less than a minute prior. They responded with 10 straight points at the beginning of the fourth quarter and recovered a late on-side kick to seal the win.

“It’s a special time in our lives and I think we need to just kind of lighten the load on our backs a little bit and just have fun,” quarterback Josh Rosen said. “With the punt block, it didn’t faze us really because we had a particular mindset this week just to have fun and let it rip.”

With Rosen back from a one-game absence, UCLA (5-5, 3-4 Pac-12) scored 24 second-half points, including two consecutive touchdown drives to open the third quarter. The Bruins had been outscored in the third quarter of their past two games 38-0.

Rosen was 25-for-45 passing with 381 yards, a touchdown and an interception in his return from a concussion. He was at his finest during the second half, completing 15 of 20 passes for 225 yards and at one point playing with blood streaming from his nose in the third quarter.

Receiver Jordan Lasley, returning from a three-game suspension, had seven catches for 162 yards and one touchdown.

UCLA allowed 584 yards, including 294 on the ground, but kept the ASU offense out of the end zone in the second half.

UCLA allowed 584 yards, including 294 on the ground, but kept the ASU offense out of the end zone in the second half. After giving up 203 rushing yards in the first half on 39 carries, the Bruins held the Sun Devils to just 91 yards on 22 carries after halftime.

The struggling UCLA defense got an early boost from cornerback Nate Meadors, who picked off his first interception since his freshman season. The junior grabbed a pass that was tipped by defensive lineman Marcus Moore and Meadors returned it for a 27-yard score at the end of the first quarter.

Up until that point, the Bruins were trailing 14-0. They had dropped a touchdown pass, missed a 36-yard field goal and threw an interception off a tipped pass. On defense, a third-down stop was negated by an offside penalty and the special teams committed two penalties on a single punt return.

“That really sparked it up for us,” Meadors said of his pick. “We came into the game knowing that we needed a lot of energy and that brought a ton of energy.”

Rosen tied the game on UCLA’s next drive with a 1-yard touchdown run on a drive that included a 30-yard rush from receiver Christian Pabico and a 23-yard scamper from running back Bolu Olorunfunmi.

ASU responded immediately by running the ball on every play of a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Quarterback Manny Wilkins rushed for a 7-yard score, hurdling Mossi Johnson on the way the end zone.

The situation looked familiar to the Bruins, who had gotten off to good defensive starts during their past two games to only be broken by one long drive that opened up the flood gates. Not this time with everyone on the sideline united.

“If you would watch the game, you would see how much everybody is just really sitting there cheering each other on,” safety Mossi Johnson said. “That makes everything way better, knowing that you have support off the field and on the field, it just makes you play 100 times better.”

Wilkins’ touchdown with 7:55 left in the second quarter was the last offensive touchdown for the Sun Devils. UCLA forced three field goals in the red zone in the second half and gave up the touchdown on special teams.

After the final seconds ticked off the clock, fans at the Rose Bowl started preparing for next week.

“Beat ‘SC! Beat ‘SC!” they chanted as the Bruins walked into the tunnel.

UCLA faces rival USC next Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Coliseum. UCLA has lost two straight to the Trojans.

UCLA football keeps bowl hopes alive with win over Arizona State

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