Bad ending
A shanked punt at the worst possible time. A sturdy defense fooled by a trick play. An offense that couldn’t gain one yard given a chance to win the game. It added up to the most crushing loss of the season.
“Sucks,” UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers said after the Bruins’ 19-13 setback against USC in his final crosstown rivalry game. “Really sucks.”
Garbers was involved in two critical sequences that ensured UCLA (4-7 overall, 3-6 Big Ten) will finish the season with a losing record.
The first came on a failed fourth-down sneak. The second came when he suddenly couldn’t find a rhythm after completing every previous pass in the second half.
The Longest Yard
Having long expressed his belief in his team’s ability to get a yard, Foster went for it on fourth and one at the UCLA 34-yard line with five minutes left and the Bruins trailing by three points.
It wasn’t the most imaginative play call, Foster saying it was his decision — and not offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s — to run a quarterback sneak.
Garbers was stopped for no gain, but both Foster and his quarterback said the play was blown dead prematurely.
Here’s something indisputable: UCLA will need to fortify its offensive line through the transfer portal to ensure it can pick up one yard in similar situations next season.
Same Old Story
Nearly every week, Foster has said he’s going to fix his team’s discipline issues.
Then the next game comes and it’s more of the same slop on the field.
The low point Saturday came going into halftime, when UCLA wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer, safety Bryan Addison, and an unspecified assistant coach were called for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties as both teams made their way toward the locker room while jawing at one another.
Foster said he was told the brouhaha was precipitated by a USC player punching Gilmer, leading him to retaliate. As a result of the penalties, UCLA was forced to kick off from its own five-yard line to start the third quarter.
Lost Opportunity
With a win over the Trojans, Foster wouldn’t have had to do any convincing when it comes to the narrative of his first season.
He would have beaten USC counterpart Lincoln Riley, who has taken multiple teams to the College Football Playoff and makes more than three times his salary.
He would have significantly enhanced his team’s name, image, and likeness fundraising efforts that will be critical to upgrading the talent on his roster.
He would have given the hundreds of high school recruits at the game another reason to give a commitment.
What Now?
Given what happened Saturday, there won’t be much at stake in UCLA’s final game of the season against Fresno State next weekend at the Rose Bowl.
The Bruins will try to send their seniors out as winners while continuing to show resolve. A win over the Bulldogs (6-5) would help UCLA finish the season with four victories in its final six games.
A warning for the Bruins: The Bulldogs have won the last four games in the series.
A warning for Foster: Fresno State has been especially hard on new UCLA coaches, beating Chip Kelly, Rick Neuheisel, and Karl Dorrell in each of their first years on the job in Westwood.
Conclusion:
The loss to USC has left a sour taste in the mouth of UCLA’s players and coaches. It’s a crushing defeat that will leave a lasting impression on the team’s morale. As they move forward, they will have to find ways to bounce back and learn from their mistakes.
FAQs:
Q: What was the score of the game?
A: UCLA lost to USC 19-13.
Q: Who was the quarterback for UCLA in the game?
A: Ethan Garbers was the starting quarterback for UCLA.
Q: What was the crucial play call that failed to gain a yard?
A: The Bruins attempted a quarterback sneak on fourth and one at the UCLA 34-yard line.
Q: How many penalties were committed by UCLA in the game?
A: The Bruins were penalized eight times for 70 yards.
Q: What’s next for UCLA?
A: The Bruins will face Fresno State in their final game of the season, looking to finish the season on a high note.
