UCLA rolls over Washington, 44-30, for yet another road win

UCLA has played down to every opponent it has faced this season, so it was natural to expect a lackluster performance from the Bruins against a Washington team riddled with injuries.

The Bruins might be peaking at just the right time, though. This was as complete an offensive performance as the Bruins have had since walloping Arizona State in late September.

A week after holding Arizona to seven points in a crucial win at home, UCLA put together back-to-back impressive performances for the first time this season in a 44-30 victory over Washington. It was the Bruins’ ninth-straight road win.

It wasn’t just the offense, which racked up 477 yards and moved the ball at will for much of the game. It was the entire team, as evidenced by the Bruins’ lack of penalties. They finished the first half without being penalized, which is incredible for a team that is 122nd in the country in total penalties this season. They finished with only four in the game.

Offensively, Brett Hundley was as accurate as he’s been this season. He completed 29 of his 36 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for two touchdowns, but wasn’t as dependent on his legs as he’s been in past weeks.

The offense was also helped out by Seattle-native linebacker and running back Myles Jack, who ran for a season-high 38 yards. He also contributed an incredible 28-yard touchdown run, where the sophomore managed to break three tackles and somehow stay on his feet near the sideline.

Defensively, the second half was less impressive than the first. Washington scored only 10 points in the first half, but got a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second half and also had more success running the ball. Running back Shaq Thompson finished with 100 yards.

But the Bruins kept their season alive with a win, and their offense had one of its best performances of the season. For a team that’s struggled with consistency, Saturday was a very good sign.

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A Fabian Moreau interception will end this game.

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Washington tried an onside kick, but linebacker Eric Kendricks recovered. But even with the short field position, UCLA couldn’t move the ball and were forced to punt. Washington will get the ball back at its own 15-yard line down two touchdowns.

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UCLA 44, Washington 30 (5:08 left in the fourth quarter)

A solid offensive drive from Washington, but it might have used up too much clock. UCLA’s defense held firm in the red zone, so the Huskies were held to just a field goal. With five minutes left, the Bruins probably need one more scoring drive to put this away.

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UCLA 44, Washington 27 (8:30 left in the fourth quarter)

That was a big swing. Devin Lucien had a beautiful 15-yard touchdown catch, but it was called back because of an offensive pass interference penalty. A very, very questionable offensive pass interference penalty. I didn’t see it at all, but they didn’t ask for my opinion.

After the penalty, the Bruins attempted a 46-yard field goal that Ka’imi Fairbairn converted to make this a three-score lead.

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UCLA 41, Washington 27 (13:57 left in the third quarter)

Suddenly, this is only a 14 point game.

Washington is having some success running the ball, and picked up 75 yards in 11 plays on this scoring drive. The score came from Dwayne Washington, who cut right through the Bruin defense for a 12-yard touchdown. Washington is very much in this game.

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UCLA 41, Washington 20 (2:27 left in the third quarter)

The Bruin offense seemed to be moving the ball at will. We even got a sighting from Thomas Duarte, who made a diving first-down catch after missing the last three weeks with hamstring and shoulder injuries.

But Paul Perkins was stuffed on third down, and Ka’imi Fairbairn made a 37-yard field goal to salvage some points on the drive.

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UCLA 38, Washington 20 (5:47 left in the third quarter)

Or not. Washington kick returner John Ross just returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score, and the Huskies are right back in this.

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UCLA 38, Washington 13 (6:02 left in the third quarter)

Have I mentioned Brett Hundley looks good? He led the Bruins down the field and then hit Mossi Johnson down the middle of the field for a 15-yard score. The eight-play, 74-yard drive gives UCLA its biggest lead of the game, a lead that might be too big for Washington to overcome.

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UCLA 31, Washington 13 (8:40 left in the third quarter)

And there’s a UCLA penalty. After going an entire half without one, Myles Jack was called for a facemask penalty on third down deep in UCLA’s side of the field. Instead of a long field goal, the Bruins gave Washington a first down.

But the Huskies couldn’t get into the end zone, and were held to just a 47-yard field goa.

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UCLA 31, Washington 10 (Halftime)

In terms of his passing arm, Brett Hundley is looking the best he has in weeks. He’s completing long passes, short passes, and most everything in between. The Bruins almost mismanaged the end of the half by mishandling a snap, but Coach Jim Mora called a timeout in time to let Ka’imi Fairbairn convert a 30-yard field goal.

Hundley finishes the first half by completing 19 of 25 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown. He’s looked very good so far.

The Bruins almost turned the ball over when wide receiver Devin Lucien picked up a first down on a crossing route, but then seemed to fumble the ball. His knee was down, though, and UCLA got the ball back after a short review.

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If you want another look at that incredible Myles Jack touchdown run, click here.

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Washington quarterback Cyler Miles tried his best Brett Hundley impression on third-and-14, but slid a couple yards short of the marker. UCLA is going to have a great chance to extend its lead.

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UCLA 28, Washington 10 (5:23 left in the second quarter)

Holy Myles Jack. That was a thing of beauty. He ran toward the sideline and slithered away from multiple tackles on his way to a 28-yard touchdown run. The Seattle-native just made one of the best offensive plays of his season, and it gives UCLA a commanding 18-point lead. He already has a season-high 35 yards.

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The Bruins don’t have a single penalty so far. Not one. For this team, that’s remarkable.

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UCLA’s defense was overwhelming on that drive, forcing a three-and-out and getting a third-down sack from Deon Hollins. The Huskies had to punt out of their own end zone, and UCLA gets the ball back on its own 40-yard line.

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Defensive tackle Kenny Clark apparently passed his concussion test and is poised to re-enter the game.

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UCLA 21, Washington 10 (9:35 left in the second quarter)

What a nice, balanced, tough offensive drive. That was a 10 play, 65-yard scoring drive, while the Bruins got contributions from Brett Hundley, Paul Perkins, and Myles Jack to drive all the way down the field. The drive was finished by Hundley, who dove in for his second rushing touchdown of the game.

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UCLA 14, Washington 10 (14:22 left in the second quarter)

Shaq Thompson is a man. The linebacker turned running back is hard to take down, and showed it on multiple occasions this drive. He got Washington down the field, then quarterback Cyler Miles scored on a six-yard keeper. Thompson has eight rushes for 44 yards so far, and just like that, Washington is back in this game.

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Here comes Washington. The Bruins went three-and-out, and went backyards on the drive. The Huskies get the ball back right at the 50 after a poor punt from Matt Mengel, a good chance to add some points.

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Here’s a random thought: Why is Miles Jack on the kick return team? If you’re worried about his energy levels playing both offense and defense, why put him on the field for kick return? There isn’t another guy on the bench who can do that job? Weird.

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UCLA 14, Washington 3 (2:30 left in the first quarter)

That was a weird drive.

The Huskies got called for a chop block, but made up the yardage on a 61-yard screen pass. The play got called back, though, because of a holding penalty. Two plays later, Washington completed a 28-yard pass down the sideline over the outstretched arms of Ishmael Adams.

The next play, the Huskies lost 10 yards on a broken pitch play. Washington then completed a 13-yard pass on second down, and a eight-yard pass on third down. The Huskies couldn’t convert inside the red zone, but got some points on the board with a 20-yard field goal.

Big plays followed by big penalties. Are we sure this is Washington and not UCLA?

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Also, that’s 69 career touchdown passes for Brett Hundley, a new school record. That’s a big deal.

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Kenneth Walker III has caught two passes this year. His stats this season? 2 catches, 119 yards, 2 touchdowns.

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UCLA 14, Washington 0 (7:44 left in the first quarter)

One play, one touchdown. Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone talked this week about getting Kenneth Walker III the ball more this week, and we just saw it. Bret Hundley underthrew the ball a bit, but Walker was so wide open down the middle of the field that it didn’t matter. That’s a casual 57-yard throw and catch. Nice play.

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The Huskies started off this drive with a delay of game penalty, which is pretty hard to pull off. There was just an extensive timeout...and you don’t know what the play is? Not a good sign.

The drive didn’t end much better. The Bruins picked up a third-down sack from Owamagbe Odighizuwa, so another three-and-out for Washington. The Huskies have run six plays in their first two drives, which is, umm, not good.

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UCLA 7, Washington 0 (9:27 left in the first quarter)

UCLA got its first big play of the afternoon early in this drive, when Brett Hundley completed a nice 17-yard pass to Jordan Payton down the sideline. Devin Fuller picked up another first down on a pass in the flat on third down, and the next play, Hundley kept the ball on a fake and found the end zone for the first touchdown of the game.

Paul Perkins picked up 23 yards on the scoring drive, and the Bruin offense is looking good after the initial subpar drive.

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Washington got nowhere, and punted. UCLA is going to get the ball near midfield to start this drive, an excellent chance to put some early points up on the board.

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That new-look offensive line isn’t looking so great. Brett Hundley was sacked on third down, and the Bruins punted on their first offensive possession of the game.

UCLA was helped out on its first third-down conversion of the game by a very nice run from Paul Perkins, who made a nice cut in the backfield to escape pressure and move the chains. The Bruins couldn’t get another first down, though.

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Here we go, back on regular cable and not the mythical Fox Sports 2. UCLA starts this game off with the ball with good field position after a squib kick from the Huskies.

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This Texas-West Virginia game is running a bit late, so UCLA-Washington is starting on Fox Sports 2. Don’t get Fox Sports 2? I don’t either. I didn’t even know there was a Fox Sports 2.

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Looks like Arizona State is going to hang on against Notre Dame, giving the Sun Devils a one-game lead in the Pac-12 South race over USC. UCLA can tie the Trojans with a win over Washington, but if we’ve learned anything from this season, let’s not assume anything until the final whistle.

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Well, this is a little interesting: Alex Redmond is warming up with the starting unit at left guard. The sophomore injured his leg against Arizona State in late September, and hasn’t started in a game since. He was replaced by tackle Malcolm Bunche, who shifted inside after Conor McDermott emerged as the starting left tackle.

UCLA coaches have been preaching consistency with this unit, because the offensive line has played better with the McDermott/Bunche combination then at any other point this season.

But at least for now, it appears that Redmond is going to be with that starting unit. Interesting. Let’s see how it plays out.

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Both fullback Nate Iese (shoulder) and receiver Thomas Duarte (hamstring) are in uniform. Duarte is considered likely to play, while Iese’s status is a little more uncertain.

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Happy Saturday, everyone. Today UCLA is in Washington to play the Huskies, who are fourth in the Pac-12’s North Division. The Bruins, meanwhile, are in third in the South Division. A win would leave UCLA tied for second with USC. The first place team, Arizona State, is currently dominating Notre Dame. If that score holds, UCLA will be a full game back of the Sun Devils with a win today.

It’s a do-or-die type of game, just like last week and just like the remaining Novemeber games. If UCLA wants to win the Pac-12 South, it’s probably going to have to win out, or hope Arizona State drops a game.

Washington’s defense has been its strong point this season, but after a rash of injuries and the suspension of cornerback Marcus Peters, the Bruins should be able to rack up some serious offensive yardage through the air. This is also a UCLA team that has played down to every one of its opponents this season, so who knows what the end result of this game is going to look like.

I’m not in Seattle, but reporter Chris Foster is on scene. Here’s a tidbit from him on linebacker Myles Jack, a native of the Seattle area:

UCLA linebacker/running back Myles Jack is back home in the Seattle area to play Washington. Jack played at Bellevue (Wa.) High and was recruited heavily by the Huskies.

Jack chose UCLA and said he harbors no ill-will towards the Huskies. In fact, Shaq Thomson, Washington’s linebacker/running back, hosted Jack on his recruiting visit.

“I don’t feel any animosity,” Jack said this week. “I know guys there. There is no animosity. It’s just another game for me.”

Of course, a year ago in the Rose Bowl, it seemed more than just another game. Jack scored four touchdowns. After one, he looked at the Washington Sideline and licked his fingers in an “um, um, good” fashion.