2017, WEEK #5: #2 UCLA LOSES HEART BREAKER TO ARIZONA IN OT, 12-10.Arizona was physical with the Bruins all day.
In what had to be one of the most physical games of the season, two of the top teams battled it out in a epic game in Pasadena.
Both defenses dominated the day as both team ended regular with just 10 points. Even with both team have multiple possessions in OT neither offensive did much. The nations top offense (500+ yards a game) was held to just 348 yards of total offense in almost 5 quarters of play. They also held QB Robert Beall to just 81 QB ratings and just one TD on the day creating five sacks.
The UCLA defense was not to be outdone as the continue to perform better and better this week, this time holding the Cats to just 269 of total offense and 9 sacks. LB Randy Wilson was all over the field and the stud of the day with 14 tackles and 3 sacks.
Bruins get their licks in, in this hard hitting affair.
With neither team turnover the ball on the day it was critical penalties that seemed to be the difference in the game. The Bruins had 2 TDs called back and 2 critical defensive penalties in 3rd down situations that could have changed the flow of the game.
But it all came down to one controversial play, right before the snap from the Bruins own 8 yard line their seem to be a whistle of stop of action, Bruins players stopped and QB Beall seem to simply retreat to the end zone, but Cats seemed to play on a Beall was sacked for a game ending safety. Their seemed to be a lot of confusion and chaos by what happened, but the officials said their was one stoppage, safety stands, Wildcats win 12-10. Strange ending to a great game.
"I just feel bad for the kids that it ended that way. They deserved better. I want to give that Arizona team all the credit in the world, they had a plan and executed it well. That defense is as advertised. But we still feel we let this one slip away. We had two big plays called back because of dumb penalties late. We gave up first downs when we are trying to get off the field on third down on some bone head penalties. And you cannot miss 40 yard field goals in OT. You live for those kicks, we have to convert. But it is all a learning experience. We will learn from this and get better. We will see them again and have a change to redeem ourselves. Our goals have not changed one bit." stated CoachCBJII