Luke Falk leads Washington State to a 31-27 upset over UCLA

This wasn’t the Washington State that UCLA remembered.

The Cougars defeated the Bruins, 31-27, in front of a sparse late-night crowd on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

UCLA fell to 7-3 overall and 4-3 in the Pac-12 Conference. Washington State improved to 7-3 and 5-2.

The victory was Washington State’s first over UCLA since 2007 (The teams did not play in 2013 and 2014).

Josh Rosen was 33 of 57 for 340 yards.

He rushed for 70 yards in five carries, including a 31-yard touchdown scramble that gave UCLA a 27-24 lead with a minute and nine seconds left to play.

But Luke Falk followed with an improbable 21-yard completion to Gabe Marks for a Cougars touchdown and a 31-27 lead as the clock ticked to three seconds.

Falk, who was sidelined part of the first half after he took a violent hit, completed 38 of 53 passes for 331 yards and two touchdowns, with an interception.

UCLA running back Paul Perkins rushed for 121 yards in 20 carries.

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UCLA had two seconds to try to make a game-winning play. Rosen was under pressure and his pass fell incomplete.

Washington State 31, UCLA 27 -- three seconds left in the fourth quarter

Luke Falk completed a 21-yard pass to Gabe Marks for a Washington State touchdown and the Cougars will leave the Rose Bowl with a a 31-27 victory over the Bruins.

The Cougars started on their own 25-yard line and Falk completed a 16-yard and 30-yard pass on the drive.

It looked like Falk would have to eat it on third down, kick a field goal and go into overtime -- but instead he made a throw to the end zone and Marks caught it.

UCLA was in position to defend the pass, but was called for pass interference.

UCLA 27, Washington State 24 -- 1:03 left in the fourth quarter

An unbelievably gutsy run by Josh Rosen gives UCLA the lead with 1:09 left to play. Rosen rushed 37 yards for a touchdown then converted the two-point play with a pass to Thomas Duarte.

The crows at the Rose Bowl as dwindled considerably, but the press box is shaking and it is roaring.

The scoring drive covered 80 yards in 10 plays.

Rosen completed four passes on the drive, including a crucial third-down pass for 13 yards to Thomas Duarte.

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Washington State seemed destined for another touchdown before Jaleel Wadood intercepted Luke Falk in the end zone.

There were boo birds everywhere on the drive

First, for the Bruins, for allowing another third-down conversion. Washington State is eight of 16 on third down.

Then, for the officials, who did not call intentional grounding against Falk.

UCLA will have a chance to take the lead and will start at its own 20-yard line.

WSU 24, UCLA 19 -- 7:10 left in the fourth quarter

Another trip to the red zone, another field goal for UCLA. Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked a 38-yard field goal to make it a five-point game.

That’s four field goals, one touchdown for the Bruins.

The drive covered 61 yards in 13 plays.

It looked like Paul Perkins was coming to the rescue, starting the drive with a 14-yard, 17-yard and 16-yard carry.

The drive stalled when UCLA committed two more penalties, for a grand total of 13 penalties for 75 yards.

Josh Rosen had a shot at a touchdown pass to Perkins, but an excellent play by the Cougars defense caused the pass to fall incomplete.

Washington State 24, UCLA 16 -- 10:56 left in the fourth quarter

This is Pac-12 after dark at its finest. Washington State kicks a 25-yard field goal and takes a 24-16 lead.

The drive seemed to take a half hour and featured in-team fighting for UCLA. Takkarist McKinley shoved Matt Dickerson. That’s how frustrating this has become for the Bruins.

The Rose Bowl is emptying at an alarming rate (though it is nearing 11 pm).

After a lousy UCLA punt, Washington State started at its own 47-yard line.

If this game was decided by penalties, UCLA would win. The Bruins have 11 for 65 yards. Washington State has nine for 45.

Cougars quarterback Luke Falk took a few more hits on the drive, including a sack by Kenny Clark. It’s incredible Falk is still playing (he took a monstrous hit in the first half that sent him to the sideline).

Falk is 30 of 41 for 224 yards.

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UCLA started on its own four-yard line and only gained 15 yards before punting.

There are grumbles from the Rose Bowl.

Josh Rosen completed four passes on the drive, but a third-down pass was dropped by Paul Perkins.

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Washington State recovered a UCLA fumble but the Cougars couldn’t make anything of it and punted.

The fumble came on a nine-yard reception by Darren Andrews. Washington State challenge the call on the field, a complete pass, and after a three minute and 15 second review, officials ruled it a fumble.

Washington state took over on its own 41-yard line.

Luke Falk completed two passes before UCLA was able to get pressure on him, recording two quarterback hits, and forcing two incomplete passes.

Washington State 21, UCLA 16 -- 7:59 left in the third quarter

UCLA couldn’t get off the field on third down and Washington State took a five-point lead when Luke Falk completed a four-yard touchdown pass to Gabe Marks.

The Cougars converted three third downs.

Falk, the Cougars starting quarterback, returned after he was sent to the locker room in the first half after took a sack and laid on the ground for a prolongued period. He stumbled off the field with the help of the training staff.

Falk’s return, given how the injury appeared, seems questionable.

Falk scrambled for 13 yards and almost had his head clipped again as he slid to the turf.

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Rugby kick gone wrong for UCLA to start the second half. Kenneth Walker III’s punt went for zero (ZERO) yards.

UCLA received coming out of its abbreviated halftime and the drive stalled at its own 47-yard line -- where Washington State will take over.

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There was a touching scene at halftime to honor seniors, including the late Nick Pasquale. Several UCLA players donned Pasquale’s name on their jersey tonight. Pasquale’s family was named in his honor.

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Interesting scheduling of events -- UCLA’s senior night ceremony is being held during hafltime.

Usually this kind of thing is done before the game.

P.Diddy is among the parents on the field. No kettle bell.

UCLA 16, Washington State 14 -- 11 seconds left in the second quarter

Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked a 38-yard field goal and the Bruins take a 16-14 lead. The drive covered 57 yards in 13 plays.

That’s the third drive that looked promising for UCLA that resulted in a field goal.

Paul Perkins and Josh Rosen rushed for 11 yards each on the drive.

Rosen also completed a 15-yard pass to Jordan Payton.

Washington State 14, UCLA 13 -- 1:30 left in the second quarter

What a turn of events that led to a Washington State touchdown and a one-point Cougars lead.

Quarterback Luke Falk was sidelined after he took a sack from Jacob Tuioti-Mariner. Falk campaigned to return to the game, but the staff would not give him his helmet.

Backup quarterback Peyton Bender took over and Washington State punted. Ishmael Adams made a questionable decision on the return and ended up fumbling.

The Cougars recovered at UCLA’s 14-yard line.

Bender threw two incomplete passes and was sacked on third down - but another error by Adams - who was called for defensive holding.

Bender completed a seven-yard pass to Dom Williams for a touchdown on the next play and the extra point was good.

UCLA 13, Washington State 7 -- 4:04 left in the second quarter

Nate Starks rushed for 14 yards and a UCLA touchdown and the Bruins take a 13-7 lead. The drive went 94 yards in 11 plays.

Josh Rosen is an unbelievable talent.

Rosen completed an eight-yard and 18-yard pass to Jordan Payton and drew awes from the Rose Bowl when he rolled out to his right, under pressure, and completed a 14-yard pass to Darren Andrews.

Paul Perkins started the drive with three consecutive carries for 24 yards.

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Washington State punted after a nice defensive stand from UCLA.

Quarterback Luke Falk has been under pressure and was hit twice.

Receiver Tavares Martin was dropped for a six-yard loss on a reverse.

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That was a quick three-and-out for UCLA.

Paul Perkins rushed for six yards in consecutive carries and Josh Rosen’s third-down pass fell incomplete.

A Cougar got a hand on Matt Mengel’s punt and Washington State has the ball on its own 48-yard line.

Not a lot of rhythm in this game.

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After allowing a Washington State touchdown on the previous drive, UCLA forced the Cougars to punt.

Falk was sacked by Kenny Clark -- the Bruins’ second sack of the game.

On third and 28 Falk completed an 11-yard pass to Kyle Sweet.

This might as well be called the Penalty Bowl. Washington State has committed five for 25 yards, UCLA has four for 20 yards.

A late-arriving crowd has filled the Rose Bowl.

Washington State 7, UCLA 6 -- 19 seconds left in the first quarter

UCLA missed a second opportunity to score a touchdown and instead settled for a field goal. Josh Rosen drove the Bruins 74 yards in 17 plays.

Rosen completed six passes -- including two jaw-dropping throws to Eldridge Massington.

Massington slipped two defenders to catch a 16-yard pass and a 19-yard pass. Massington had caught just one pass in the last four games.

UCLA failed to score a touchdown despite a second first-and-goal situation.

Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked a 22-yard field goal.

Rosen is nine of 15 for 140 yards.

Washington State 7, UCLA 3 -- 4:31 left in the first quarter

Gerard Wicks rushed for two yards and a Washington State touchdown. The scoring drive covered 75 yards in 13 plays.

Washington State gained five first downs, which included a fourth-down conversion.

Luke Falk is 10 of 11 for 87 yards.

Gerard Wicks has rushed for eight yards in two carries.

UCLA 3, Washington State 0 -- 9:44 left in the first quarter

UCLA settled for a field goal on its first drive despite Josh Rosen completing passes for 13 yards, 45 yards and 14 yards.

The Bruins committed three penalties -- two by the offensive line. Washington State also was called offsides.

Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked a 22-yard field goal and became the all-time leading scorer in the Pac-12.

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UCLA’s defense started the game with a statement and forced Washington State to punt from deep in its own territory.

The Bruins made two tackles for losses and Luke Falk’s third-down pass was short of a first down.

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Offensive lineman Conor McDermott, tight end Colby Cyburt and quarterback Jake Hall are wearing their late-friend and teammate Nick Pasquale’s name on the back of their jerseys tonight.

It is Senior Night at the Rose Bowl and would have been a senior this season.

The Bruins also are wearing black jerseys with special helmets to honor the Navy SEALS.

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As if a 7:45 pm start wasn’t late enough, the latest word is that UCLA and Washington State now will kickoff at 7:51 pm.

Washington State players have been warming up sans shirts. It’s difficult to tell if they are braving what many Los Angelenos call a chilly 61-degree evening at the Rose Bowl or if they’re enjoying what a Pullman native would call a balmy fall night.

The 23rd-ranked Bruins are 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the Pac-12 Conference.

After several seasons of cellar-dwelling in the conference, Washington State Coach Mike Leach has appeared to turn his team around. The Cougars are 6-3 and 4-2. Keeping in mind they lost to Portland State in a season opener but also have defeated Oregon, which was without starting quarterback Vernon Adams.

UCLA receivers Devin Fuller and Stephen Johnson III and linebackers Isako Savaiinaea and Josh Woods will be sidelined because of injuries, Coach Jim Mora said.