UCLA turns back upset bid by Colorado, 35-31

How many plays does Colorado need to beat UCLA?

More than 114, it turns out.

In a game in which Colorado doubled UCLA’s total plays, both teams scored defensive touchdowns and the Buffaloes threatened with a late drive into UCLA territory, the Bruins held on for a 35-31 in Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

Josh Rosen led UCLA on a late scoring drive with two long passes to Jordan Payton, who had 134 yards receiving, and Thomas Duarte. Soso Jamabo punched in the decisive score with less than nine minutes remaining.

It was an appropriate drive on which to win: over in a flash.

Colorado’s 114 plays was a school record. UCLA ran 59. Colorado gained 34 first downs. UCLA gained 15. The Buffaloes had the ball 22 minutes more than the Bruins and outgained them 554-400.

But UCLA weathered a first half during which Colorado embarked on several long drives to little avail. Each time, UCLA’s defense wiggled free of serious danger.

In the first quarter, Diego Gonzalez missed a 35-yard field goal. In the second quarter, a dropped ball in the end zone forced the Buffaloes to settle for a field goal. At the end of the half, Colorado faced a fourth down from the six-yard line and again had to take the field goal.

The second-quarter stat sheet looked as though the printer malfunctioned. The Buffaloes ran 40 plays to the Bruins’ four, but the UCLA outscored them 14-6. Two 16-play Colorado drives resulted in a UCLA touchdown.

Yes, you read that right.

For that, UCLA can thanks Ishmael Adams, who stole a Sefo Liufau pass from above Devin Ross on the four-yard line and ran 96 yards for a UCLA touchdown. Luifau passed for 312 yards and ran for 62 yards and a touchdown, but he had two passes intercepted, including one on the final drive that Nate Meadors grabbed to seal the game.

Later in the second quarter, after Colorado’s first field goal, Paul Perkins took UCLA’s first play through a huge hole in the Buffaloes’ defensive line for an 82-yard touchdown run.

Perkins finished with 118 yards rushing.

UCLA maintained a comfortable lead until in the fourth quarter. Up two scores, Rosen was sacked by Jordan Carrell, who jarred the ball loose. It bounced right into the hands of Samson Kafovalu, who rumbled 33 yards for a touchdown.

UCLA’s response was less than emphatic. The Bruins punted after gaining just one first down. And Colorado quickly made them pay.

On the next play, Liufau connected with Devin Ross for a 62-yard gain, and then Patrick Carr fought through four UCLA defenders for a six-yard touchdown run.

For the first time all game, Colorado led, 31-28

Rosen countered with the decisive drive. He finished with 262 yards passing and a touchdown

Entering the game, Colorado had won five of 40 Pac-12 games since joining the conference. The Buffaloes had snapped a 14-game conference losing streak only last week.

For the second straight year, UCLA edged out a win over the Buffaloes.

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Nate Meadors has salvaged the game for UCLA. He intercepted Sefo Liufau’s pass in UCLA territory to effectively end this one. UCLA will hang on in a quirky, wild affair, 35-31.

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Two first downs could’ve ended the game. UCLA gained one. Colorado will have possession at its own 20-yard line, with one minute and 52 seconds left to win the game.

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Sefo Liufau had burned UCLA all game in short-yardage situations, so on fourth and four, from UCLA’s 26-yard line, the Bruins brought heat. Under pressure, Liufau threw a panicked pass to Donovan Lee, which lost six yards. After the turnover on downs, the Bruins can ice the game on this possession.

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UCLA 35, Colorado 31 (8:28 left in fourth quarter)

The Bruins are back on top after a quick, confident touchdown drive. Josh Rosen connected with Jordan Payton in tight coverage with a back-shoulder pass for a 26-yard gain. Rosen then found Thomas Duarte for 38 yards to Colorado’s five-yard line, and Soso Jamabo finished the drive with a touchdown run. It took just three plays and 37 seconds.

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The UCLA defense came up with a big stop. Sefo Liufau tried to find Nelson Spruce on third down but overthrew him. On the ground after the play, Liufau pounded the ground with his fists. A long scoring drive would’ve potentially been lethal. Now UCLA has a chance to retake the lead.

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The malaise continues for UCLA. Three consecutive incompletions stalled the drive, and Colorado will take over after the punt went for a touchback. Roughly 10 minutes remain in the game.

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Colorado 31, UCLA 28, (12:04 left in fourth quarter)

The sparse Rose Bowl crowd sounds stunned. On Colorado’s first play, Sefo Liufau hurled a pass 62 yards to Devin Ross. Liufau hurried the Buffaloes to the line, and on the next play, Patrick Carr muscled the ball through four defenders from the six-yard line, after UCLA appeared to stop him after a short gain.

Colorado completed the two-point conversion, and UCLA trails for the first time all game.

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That was not what UCLA was looking for. Another long return was negated by a penalty, and the Bruins fizzled after picking up a first down. A 39-yard punt gave the Buffaloes the ball on their own 32-yard line, with a chance to take the lead on this drive.

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UCLA 28, Colorado 23 (14:37 left in fourth quarter)

This game is getting interesting. Josh Rosen was sacked by Jordan Carrell, who knocked the ball free. It bounced right to Samson Kafovalu who rumbled 33 yards for the defensive score.

UCLA is one more mistake from losing the lead, with an important drive upcoming.

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UCLA 28, Colorado 16 (1:06 left in third quarter)

Colorado took advantage of the field position. After just two first downs, the Buffaloes were within the range of kicker Diego Gonzalez. He made the 45-yard attempt to draw within 12 points.

Colorado has now run 90 plays.

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The Bruins couldn’t punch their way out from their own goal line. A third-down incompletion led to a punt. Colorado will take over with good field position, at its own 40-yard line

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Today’s attendance has been announced as 51,508, which is not a sellout.

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A second straight Colorado drive ended with a punt. Ishmael Adams called a fair catch at the five-yard line, where UCLA will take over.

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UCLA 28, Colorado 13 (7:35 left in third quarter)

UCLA’s drive was another quick one, and it ended in another touchdown. The Bruins went 81 yards in six plays, the most explosive a 51-yard pass to Jordan Payton on a near-perfect throw from Josh Rosen. On the next play, Nate Starks found the edge on a sweep for an easy 11-yard touchdown run.

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The Bruins defense held. After allowing a first down, they forced a punt, and UCLA will now have the opportunity to run a play on offense for a change.

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The UCLA offense may be starting to grow roots on the sideline. At the end of a 56-yard UCLA kickoff return, Stephen Johnson fumbled, recovered by the Buffaloes. They took over at their own 41-yard line. UCLA has run four offensive plays since the first quarter.

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UCLA 21, Colorado 13 (12:06 left in third quarter)

It’s a one-possession game. Donovan Lee jogged a half yard into the end zone for a Colorado touchdown. The 75-yard drive took eight plays, all rushes, and now the Buffaloes are within a touchdown and two-point conversion.

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The second half has begun. UCLA’s kickoff went for a touchback.

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Okay, one more stat: Colorado ran 40 plays in the second quarter. UCLA ran four — and scored 11 more points.

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Halftime: UCLA 21, Colorado 6

One of these drives, all of Colorado’s yardage is going to lead to a touchdown. It’s just not this drive. Facing fourth and four from the six-yard line, Colorado settled for another field goal.

In many ways, Colorado has dominated statistically. The Buffaloes have outgained UCLA 278 to 197. They have run 61 plays to UCLA’s 21. They lead first downs 18 to five and time of possession by more than 14 minutes.

But UCLA has used a quick strike, a red-zone interception returned for a touchdown and a long drive to carve out a healthy lead heading into the half.

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UCLA 21, Colorado 3 (3:09 left in second quarter)

You can’t answer any more quickly than that. On the first play of UCLA’s drive. Paul Perkins burst through a huge hole in the middle for an 82-yard touchdown run. It took 12 seconds.

Perkins now has 104 yards in the half.

Fred Ulu-Perry was inserted for the play at guard, and Caleb Benenoch slid back to tackle. It seemed to work.

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UCLA 14, Colorado 3 (3:29 left in second quarter)

Colorado is on the board. The field-goal drive was set up by a 31-yard completion to Sean Irwin on the first play. The Buffaloes got as far as the UCLA seven-yard line, but Ken Crawley dropped a potential touchdown pass, and they settled for three points.

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More potential injury news: linebacker Kenny Young left the field for the locker room.

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UCLA offensive lineman Kolton Miller was injured on the extra point and limped off the field.

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UCLA 14, Colorado 0 (7:01 left in second quarter)

The Buffaloes had driven most of the field. They had the ball within UCLA’s 10-yard line.

Then Ishmael Adams stole a Sefo Liufau pass from above Devin Ross on the four-yard line and was off, 96 yards, for a UCLA touchdown. The Bruins were flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on the play, but it will be assessed on the kick.

The Buffaloes have now had two drives of 16 plays each. On those two drives, the Buffaloes are still scoreless, and the Bruins have scored a touchdown.

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UCLA’s drive is — you guessed it — another three and out. Rosen was about a foot away from connecting with Jordan Payton on a long third-down pass. Instead, punter Matt Mengel gets more work.

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The second quarter picked up right where the first quarter left off. After a three and out for Colorado, UCLA will take over on its 25-yard line.

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Did you blink? Then you may have missed UCLA’s drive. After two short rushes, an incomplete pass and less than 90 seconds, UCLA punted. Colorado will take over on its own 30-yard line.

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Two poor defensive plays in a row got Colorado into field-goal range, but the Buffaloes came away with nothing. Consecutive tackles for loss, by Kene Orjioke and Jayon Brown, gave the Buffaloes third and 20. But a 17-yard third-down pass was followed by defensive holding on the fourth-down attempt and extended the drive. After Colorado stalled, Diego Gonzalez attempted a 35-yard field goal, but his low line drive went wide.

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UCLA 7, Colorado 0 (8:01 left in first quarter)

Paul Perkins’ knee seems to have healed well. He took a screen pass from Josh Rosen, made a few defender-freezing cuts and dashed 31 yards for a touchdown.

Rosen marched the Bruins down the field with a 24-yard wheel-route to Darren Andrews on a third down and a 27-yard completion to Jordan Payton before Perkins’ catch and run. The drive went 91 yards.

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The call is reversed. UCLA will retain possession.

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Let’s say this was not the start UCLA was hoping for. Josh Rosen’s pass was intercepted on an acrobatic diving catch by Rick Gamboa, who picked the deflected ball as it fell to the ground. The play is under review.

Worse, Rosen limped away after the play, and was still limping on the sideline.

If the call stands, Colorado will take over on UCLA’s 48-yard line.

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The punters showed up today, at least. The Buffaloes used two first downs to get near midfield, but they stalled. Another nice punt pinned the Bruins at their own nine-yard line.

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UCLA’s first possession is not sharp. Perkins caught a short pass and then rushed for four yards before Josh Rosen’s third-down pass was incomplete. After a long punt, Colorado will take over on its own 23-yard line.

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This game is under way. Colorado won the toss and will defer. UCLA received, was flagged for illegal formation and will start on its own 14-yard line.

Paul Perkins is on the field with the starting offense.

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Offensive lineman Alex Redmond is not in uniform, either. Caleb Benenoch will replace Redmond at guard. Kolton Miller will play right tackle.

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As promised, here are some injury updates. Running back Paul Perkins is dressed and stretching. Linebacker Isaako Savaiinaea is not suited up.

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Here is some pregame reading, as you settle down on the couch or peek at your phone beside the grill:

Everyone may expect UCLA to win this game (they’re 23-point favorites), but don’t tell that to the Bruins, who say nobody believes in them.

The playbook is expanding for freshman quarterback, and hot-tub enthusiast, Josh Rosen, and it’s allowing UCLA to be more aggressive through the air.

Despite two consecutive losses, UCLA is back in the driver’s seat. “All we have to do is win out,” said defensive lineman Eli Ankou, and they earn a spot in the Pac-12 Conference championship game. That and other story lines here.

Senior linebacker Aaron Wallace was thrust into more action because of injuries. He’s taking advantage.

We know about the freshman quarterback. But the freshman running back, Soso Jamabo, is making an impact early, too, especially with injuries at the running back position.

Another injury-related story? In this season, what do you expect? Receiver Darren Andrews struggled after injuries, but now he’s been a “pleasant surprise.”

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UCLA and Colorado are about 45 minutes away from kickoff on this Halloween morning. For the Bruins, nothing would be spookier than a game like last season’s, when a Colorado team that went without a win in the Pac-12 took them to double overtime.

Remember that?

A loss today would be haunting. UCLA is a 23-point favorite. Because of an Arizona State loss on Thursday, UCLA can now clinch the Pac-12 South Division by winning the rest of its games.

Colorado, though, is on something of a hot streak — if that’s what you call its win last week against Washington State, which snapped a 14-game conference losing streak.

Since joining the Pac-12, the Buffaloes have been outscored, 90-29, in two visits to the Rose Bowl.

Another bad sign for Colorado: it ranks 111th in rushing defense. They’ve lost a starting linebacker, Addison Gilliam, and another, Kenneth Olugbode, may not play because of a leg injury.

UCLA has averaged 194 yards per game on the ground, but running back Paul Perkins left last game with a knee injury, and his backup, Nate Starks, has missed time with a concussion. Last week, freshman Soso Jamabo, who replaced Perkins, ran for 79 yards.

We’ll post injury updates as they become available.

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UCLA will take on Colorado on Friday at noon at the Rose Bowl. Chris Foster, Helene Elliott and Zach Helfand will bring you all the action. You can follow along right here.