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UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin is stopped just short of the goal line by USC linebacker Hayes Pullard to set up the Bruins' first touchdown Saturday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times / November 17, 2012) |
The Bruins blocked a 38-yard field-goal try by Andre Heidari with 1:40 left in the fourth quarter to help secure the victory and earn the Pac-12 Conference South Division title on Saturday afternoon at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley completed 22 of 30 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown while also running for two scores. The Bruins’ Johnathan Franklin rushed for 171 yards and two touchdowns. USC quarterback Matt Barkley passed for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns but had two passes intercepted that led to 14 points for UCLA.
UCLA 38, USC 28 (4:02 left in fourth quarter)
Johnathan Franklin was just penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after his 29-yard touchdown run.
It was an unsportsmanlike move, but it was not false advertising.
USC’s hold on L.A.’s college football rivalry has a dagger in it.
Franklin’s run capped an 83-yard drive.
He has 162 yards rushing in 26 carries. He has run for 100-plus yards in a game 18 times in his UCLA career, second only to Gaston Green.
UCLA 31, USC 28 (7:22 left in fourth quarter)
Yes, USC would really like those four points back.
A missed field-goal attempt and a missed point-after try and the Trojans are now trailing by three points.
USC has come at least temporarily back from the dead –- again –- thanks to a couple of Matt Barkley to Marqise Lee passes.
USC was pinned in its own territory and had a third-and-10 situation when Barkley scrambled away from pressure and lofted a pass to Lee for a 39-yard gain.
The duo then teamed up on a 14-yard pass for a touchdown and Barkley connected with Robert Woods for a two-point conversion pass that pulled the Trojans to within a field goal.
UCLA 31, USC 20 (11:49 left in fourth quarter)
It hasn’t been often that Matt Barkley hit a guy in the numbers with a pass, but he just did.
A UCLA guy.
That guy was Eric Kendricks, who caught Barkley’s pass –- which USC receiver it might have been intended for was not clear –- at the UCLA 28-yard line and returned it 10 yards.
UCLA didn’t capitalize on the turnover by scoring, but the clock is ticking away and USC blew yet another scoring opportunity.
