UCLA
0-1
Cincinnati
1-0
Bruins Drop Season Opener at Cincinnati 24-14
August 29, 2019 | Football
CINCINNATI - The UCLA football team dropped its season opener on Thursday evening at Cincinnati, falling 24-14 to the Bearcats before 38,032 fans at Nippert Stadium.
After forcing a Cincinnati punt on the first possession of the game, UCLA took over and staged an 8-play, 46-yard drive that resulted in a first-and-goal at the Bearcat 9-yard line. Demetric Felton gained four on a first-down rush to move the ball to the 5-yard line. On the next play, Dorian Thompson-Robinson lost the handle on the ball as he rolled around the left side and Cincinnati recovered the loose ball. The Bearcats then drove 83 yards in six plays to take a 7-0 lead.
Cincinnati threatened again late in the first quarter, driving down to the UCLA 15 before kicker Sam Crosa's 32-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right. Crosa, however, would make up for his early miss, giving the Bearcats a 10-0 lead with a 44-yard field goal early in the second quarter.
The Bruins answered with a 75-yard scoring pass play from Thompson-Robinson to Felton with eight minutes left in the half, cutting the lead to 10-7.
The Bearcats had a great chance to extend their lead with just 39 seconds to play in the half, notching a first-and-goal on the UCLA 5-yard line. UCLA defensive back Jay Shaw thwarted that attempt, stepping in front of short pass by Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder, returning it 66 yards. The Bruins, however, were unable to add any points before time ran out in the first half.
On UCLA's first possession of the second half, Cincinnati intercepted a Thompson-Robinson third- down pass and took over at the Bruin 30-yard line. Five plays later running back Michael Warren put the Bearcats up 17-7 after a 12-yard run.
The teams then exchanged punts, but Wade Lees' 72-yard kick gained field position for the Bruins. UCLA drove 59 yards on seven plays and closed to within 17-14 after Thompson-Robinson found Chase Cota for his first scoring reception from seven yards out with 5:40 to play in the third quarter.
The only score the rest of the game came early in the fourth quarter when Cincinnati's Ridder connected with Warren for a 21-yard pass play that ultimately put the Bearcats up 24-14.
UCLA had a chance to make a run with a little more than four minutes to play in the fourth quarter, however a fumble by Thompson-Robinson at the Cincinnati 18 ended the Bruins' scoring opportunity.
Next up for the Bruins is their 2019 home opener against the San Diego State Aztecs on Sept. 7 at the Rose Bowl. Kickoff is slated for 1:15 p.m.
Team Stats
UCLA 0, CIN 7
CIN - DEGUARA, Josiah 16 yd pass from RIDDER, Desmond (CROSA, Sam kick) 6 plays, 83 yards, TOP 3:09
UCLA 0, CIN 10
CIN - CROSA, Sam 44 yd field goal 10 plays, 32 yards, TOP 4:27
UCLA 7, CIN 10
UCLA - Felton, D 75 yd pass from Thmpsn-Robinson (Molson, JJ kick) 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 0:50
UCLA 7, CIN 17
CIN - WARREN, Michael 12 yd run (CROSA, Sam kick), 5 plays, 30 yards, TOP 2:43
UCLA 14, CIN 17
UCLA - Cota, Chase 7 yd pass from Thmpsn-Robinson (Molson, JJ kick) 7 plays, 59 yards, TOP 2:23
UCLA 14, CIN 24
CIN - WARREN, Michael 21 yd pass from RIDDER, Desmond (CROSA, Sam kick) 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 5:49
