UCLA
2-1
Brigham Young
1-2
Defense Rules the Day as UCLA defeats BYU, 17-14
September 17, 2016 | Football
AP Sports Writer
PROVO, Utah (AP) - Josh Rosen threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns as UCLA suffocated BYU 17-14 on Saturday night.
The two defenses controlled the action most of the night, but UCLA (2-1) was able to hold BYU (1-2) to 273 yards, including 23 on the ground. The Cougars were held to negative rushing yards until late in the third quarter and 91 of those offensive yards came on their final possession.
Despite the Cougars' constant pressure on defense, Rosen completed a handful of big passing plays, including a 33-yard touchdown to Darren Andrews.
"Josh has such high expectations for himself that, sometimes, he lets it get the best of him," UCLA coach Jim Mora said. "He has to realize he's not going to play a perfect game. He just has to play up to his ability level and his capabilities."
BYU quarterback Taysom Hill finished with 250 passing yards, one touchdown one interception and was sacked four times.
"We've got to start clicking offensively," BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. "We were able to do it some drives ... but we have to start doing that throughout the game. We need to be able to sustain that and be more consistent. Obviously that's what our focus is going to be on going into this next week."
THE TAKEAWAY
BYU: A second consecutive loss puts BYU in an awkward position. Such is life as an independent. Without a conference championship to play for, a berth in the College Football Playoffs is basically eliminated. The Cougars are already contracted for the Poinsettia Bowl if they aren't selected to a New Year's Six bowl. With two losses and nine games to go, including Michigan State and Mississippi State, that's unlikely. The BYU defense continued to play better than expected this season, but the offense regressed for a third consecutive game.
UCLA: The Bruins defense solidified after a pair of shaky performances to start the season. UCLA gave up 378 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in the first two games, but held running back Jamaal Williams to 28 yards and shut down the mobile Hill. The Bruins also blanketed the Cougar receivers, giving Hill few options in the pass game.
UP NEXT
BYU: The Cougars play their fourth consecutive team from a Power 5 conference with a neutral site game against West Virginia at FedEx Field -- home of the Washington Redskins -- in Greater Landover, Maryland on Saturday.
UCLA: The Bruins begin Pac-12 play against No. 7 Stanford on Saturday.
STREAKS CONTINUE
UCLA is now 34-1 under Jim Mora when leading at halftime. The Bruins have also won 47 straight regular season games when holding an opponent under 20 points.
Team Stats
UCLA 7, BYU 0
UCLA - Griffin 6 yd pass from Rosen (Molson kick) 12 plays, 80 yards, TOP 5:41
UCLA 10, BYU 0
UCLA - Molson 24 yd field goal 6 plays, 32 yards, TOP 1:54
UCLA 17, BYU 0
UCLA - Andrews 33 yd pass from Rosen (Molson kick) 10 plays, 76 yards, TOP 4:16
UCLA 17, BYU 7
BYU - WILLIAMS, Jamaa 1 yd run (ALMOND, Rhett kick), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:17
UCLA 17, BYU 14
BYU - KURTZ, Nick 23 yd pass from HILL, Taysom (ALMOND, Rhett kick) 9 plays, 91 yards, TOP 1:39
