PASADENA — It seemed like UCLA had the Fresno State offense figured out.
After a rocky first quarter, the Bruins limited the Bulldogs to a solitary field goal in the second quarter, and just 30 yards of offense. Perhaps, UCLA had found some kind of answer that would allow for a Bruins comeback.
But once the second half began, that notion was put to rest. Fresno State added three more touchdowns, even if they were ultimately unnecessary in its 38-14 win over the Bruins (0-3).
The first half contained glimpses of promise for the UCLA defense. Fresno State managed 177 yards of total offense and just 54 on the ground. Given that the Bruins came into the game allowing an average of 186.5 rushing yards per contest, this was a positive sign.
“I told the guys, calm down, read your run-pass keys, have good eyes, and we just started to hustle,” UCLA defensive back Quentin Lake said. “I could see our weight room preparation stuff start to kick in.”
The second half was a different affair.
UCLA surrendered 243 yards of offense on 40 second-half plays. The Bulldogs rushed for 96 yards and converted five of seven attempts on third down.
After a punt on their first full drive of the third quarter, the Bulldogs strung together three consecutive touchdown drives of at least 51 yards.
The first was an eight-play, 73-yard march in which Fresno quarterback Marcus McMaryion picked the Bruins apart through the air before punching in a one-yard touchdown run.
Interceptions preceded the next two scoring drives for Fresno State, and UCLA head coach Chip Kelly said that that played a factor in his defense’s second-half performance.
“I think they were on the field too much. We have to hold on to the ball longer on the offensive side of the ball,” Kelly said.
The first-year UCLA coach then noted that the defense did itself no favors with penalties that prolonged Fresno State drives, such as a roughing-the-passer call against Lake.
“It extended the drive when we probably had them stopped,” Kelly said. “Those are things that when we watch tape, we’ve got to coach our guys up.”
The sophomore Lake assessed that the Bruins need to stop letting those miscues get to them mentally.
“I think overall as a team we could have a better attitude when we’re getting on the field and not get down on ourselves when sudden changes happen or the offense turns over the ball or defense gives up a big play,” Lake said. “It’s a big learning lesson, especially early in the season.”