UCLA‘s second-Half surge Not Enough as UNLV Holds On for 23-13 Victory
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By davidharrison, world-today-news.com
LAS VEGAS – A spirited second-half comeback by the UCLA Bruins fell just short Saturday as they lost to the UNLV Rebels 23-13.Despite a more effective offensive performance after halftime, UCLA couldn’t overcome an early deficit and a series of penalties that stalled key drives.
Bruins Struggle early, Find Rhythm in Second Half
The Bruins found themselves trailing for much of the game, struggling to establish a consistent offensive rhythm in the first half.However, UCLA began to find its footing in the third quarter, mounting several promising drives.
One drive culminated in a 35-yard field goal from Mateen Bhaghani with three seconds remaining in the third quarter,bringing the score to 23-13. The field goal attempt came after a costly pass-interference penalty against UNLV in the endzone prevented a potential touchdown.
Penalties and Missed Calls hamper UCLA’s Efforts
UCLA’s offensive progress was repeatedly hampered by penalties. A touchdown pass to Kwazi Gilmer was nullified by an offensive pass interference call on Gilmer, pushing the Bruins back to the 17-yard line.
On a crucial third-down attempt, quarterback Nico Iamaleava was attempting to find an open receiver when a potential roughing the passer penalty against UNLV defensive lineman Lucas Conti was missed by the officiating crew.
Gilmer showcased his athleticism during the comeback attempt, making a spectacular juggling catch for 12 yards – UCLA’s first third-down conversion in 10 attempts.
Mikey matthews was a key target, securing a 15-yard pass, and benefiting from a 15-yard penalty assessed against UNLV’s Justin Flowe for targeting, resulting in Flowe’s disqualification from the game.
Bruins Defense Finds Success
UCLA’s defense managed to force a three-and-out against the UNLV offense, resulting in the Rebels’ first punt of the game.This defensive stand provided a spark for the Bruins’ offense, but ultimately wasn’t enough to swing the momentum fully.
College Football Trends and Context
This game highlights the increasing competitiveness of college football outside of the traditional power conferences. UNLV’s victory underscores the growing talent pool and coaching quality across the nation.The impact of penalties and officiating on game outcomes remains a consistent talking point in the sport, as evidenced by the controversial missed call in this contest.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the final score of the UCLA vs. UNLV game?
- The final score was UNLV 23, UCLA 13.
- Who scored the field goal for UCLA?
- Mateen Bhaghani scored the 35-yard field goal for UCLA.
- Was there any controversial officiating in the game?
- Yes, a potential roughing the passer penalty against UNLV was missed, and an offensive pass interference penalty negated a UCLA touchdown.
