LA BOWL-Bruins Defend Back Yard
This years LA Bowl by Gronk was a game of two halves. A game clearly dominated by Boise State in the first two periods only to see UCLA come storming back in the second half earning its way to a 35-22 win in front of a LA BOWL record crowd of 32,780.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
This years LA Bowl by Gronk was a game of two halves. A game clearly dominated by Boise State in the first two periods only to see UCLA come storming back in the second half earning its way to a 35-22 win in front of a LA BOWL record crowd of 32,780.
Veteran BRUIN QB Ethan Garbers came off the bench and fired the offense up to the tune of 28 second half points.
Starter Collin Schlee who was slow moving the team with 7 first half points- but eight penalties by the BRUINS helped put a damper on the scoring. The Kent State transfer rushed for 127 yards on 7 carries including a 50-yard jaunt before going down with a head injury.
UCLA WR, J. Michael Sturvidant (1) after one of his four catches, that totaled 142 yards and a touch down that helped the Bruins to a 35-22 win. (Photo: Sara Medina)
Garbers suffered a shoulder injury in the season finally against CAL. He had a couple of weeks to heel and it was just in time as he completed his first eight including one of 39 and 41 yards to J. Michael Sturdivant. The ladder set up a 14- yard TD run By T.J. Harden. The Inglewood native had two touchdowns on the day to go with 107-yards on 20 carries-both were season highs.
“This whole week and before the game I wasn’t feeling 100%,” said Barbers. “When I looked out there (in the second half), and the team needed me, that’s my biggest priority. It was an easy call to say the least.” Garbers who completed 9 of 12 passes and earned Offensive MVP honors. The Newport Beach Native started six games for the Bruins (8-5) this season, but also had his share of injuries. Kelly wasn’t surprised with Garbers’ performance and when he said he wasn’t ready to start.
Sturdivant had a big play night with receptions of 39 and 41 yards helping total 142 receiving yards on 4 catches.
In the first half UCLA defense shows why it was one of the tops in the nation holding the BRONCOS to three field goals in its first four possessions.
“How you execute in the red zone is everything. Not field goals. Scoring touchdowns,” coach BRONCO coach Spencer Danielson said. “We’ve got to find ways to capitalize and put that ball in the end zone. We just didn’t get it done, so obviously the difference between nine points and 21 points is going to be a big part of the game.” Boise State QB CJ Tiller connected on 12 of 21 passes for 117 yards in his first collegiate start. He appeared to be oohzing with confidence throughout the half leading the team on three straight scoring drives. The Broncos have plenty of talent returning. The first thing is to but remove the interim tag off head coach Danielson helped give them a jump heading into the offseason.
BRUIN LB Darius Muasau posted 11 tackles and 2 1/2 tackles for loss in his final collegiate game. That earned him game Defensive MVP honors.
The senior had some final words afterwards: “Very bittersweet feeling. Sad that it’s my last collegiate game over these past five years. Love this game with all I got and I wouldn’t want to end it with any other team than the UCLA Bruins. Playing with the brothers I’ve had all year, I made a lot of great friendships that I’ll cherish forever. Great memories. You mentioned the defense we had this year. I was just so blessed to be on the field with these guys. We play for each other out there and I feel like it shows every game. We trust one another and we love one another so much. I feel like that’s how we play.”
It was the first bowl win for the Bruins since the 2015 Alamo Bowl, marking another accomplishment for this program. It was also Coach Chip Kellys first bowl win a UCLA coach They can now head into the offseason looking ahead. There’s a whole new sector ahead called the BIG TEN.
