UCLA
1-5 , 1-2
California
3-3 , 0-3
Bruins Break Down Bears, 37-7
October 13, 2018 | Football
BERKELEY, CALIF. - Running back Joshua Kelley rushed for a career-high 157 yards and three touchdowns, and the Bruin defense forced five turnovers as UCLA cruised to its first victory of the season, 37-7 over California.
Kelley became the first UCLA player to rush for 100+ yards in three consecutive games since Jordon James in 2013, leading the Bruin run game that totaled 207 yards to Cal's 117 rushing yards. UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson completed his first nine passes and finished the game 13-of-15 for 141 yards. Caleb Wilson led all receivers with five catches for 92 yards. Keisean Lucier-South led the Bruin defensive effort with an interception, a scoop and score, and a strip sack, finishing with six tackles.
The Bruins (1-5, 1-2 in the Pac-12) led from start to finish, scoring on a five-yard Kelley touchdown late in the first quarter nine plays after Adarius Pickett recovered a Cal fumble forced by Darnay Holmes at the UCLA 41.
A 46-yard reception by Wilson helped the Bruins drive to another score, a 25-yard field goal by JJ Molson to go ahead 10-0 at the 10:32 mark in the second quarter.
UCLA got itself in good field possession on the next drive, utilizing a 40-yard punt return by Pickett to start on the Cal 38, and added another three points on a 29-yard field goal by Molson.
California (3-3, 0-3) had an opportunity to prevent a first-half shutout with a 32-yard field goal attempt with seven seconds remaining, but after two UCLA time outs to ice the kicker, Greg Thomas' attempt hit the right upright and missed to give UCLA a 13-0 lead at the half.
The Bears scored a touchdown on their first possession of the second half to trim UCLA's lead to 13-7, but the Bruins quickly moved into Cal territory thanks to a penalty and a 24-yard reception by Theo Howard. Kelley concluded the drive with his second touchdown of the game, a one-yarder with 6:03 to play in the quarter.
After UCLA's defense stopped Cal on 4th and 1 at their 48 to regain possession, the Bruins found themselves in a 4th and 2 position but had the opposite result, with Thompson-Robinson hitting Kelley for a seven-yard gain to extend the drive. Five plays later, Kelley scored on a one-yard run, his third touchdown of the game, increasing UCLA's lead to 27-7.
The Bruin defense took over from there, intercepting Cal on two consecutive possessions. Lucier-South and Krys Barnes each picked up their first career interceptions. Lucier-South later added a touchdown on a scoop and score, running 38 yards to the house after a sack and forced fumble by Odua Isibor.
Keisean Lucier-South had a pick earlier, now he's got a SCOOP AND SCORE. What a play.
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) October 14, 2018
UCLA takes the 37-7 lead with 5:58 to go on @Pac12Network. #BeatCal | #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/YO3AAnATkd
UCLA will host Arizona on Saturday, Oct. 20 for a 7:30 pm Homecoming game at the Rose Bowl.
Team Stats
UCLA 7, CAL 0
UCLA - Kelley, Joshua 5 yd run (Molson, Jj kick), 9 plays, 59 yards, TOP 4:18
UCLA 10, CAL 0
UCLA - Molson, Jj 25 yd field goal 10 plays, 79 yards, TOP 4:40
UCLA 13, CAL 0
UCLA - Molson, Jj 29 yd field goal 9 plays, 26 yards, TOP 3:17
UCLA 13, CAL 7
CAL - Laird, Patrick 1 yd run (Thomas, Greg kick), 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 6:22
UCLA 20, CAL 7
UCLA - Kelley, Joshua 1 yd run (Molson, Jj kick), 6 plays, 83 yards, TOP 2:30
UCLA 27, CAL 7
UCLA - Kelley, Joshua 1 yd run (Molson, Jj kick), 11 plays, 52 yards, TOP 4:35
UCLA 30, CAL 7
UCLA - Molson, Jj 42 yd field goal 4 plays, 5 yards, TOP 2:27
UCLA 37, CAL 7
UCLA - Lucier-South, K 38 yd fumble recovery (Molson, Jj kick)
