UCLA crushes New Mexico State, 59-13

What a perfect situation for UCLA Coach Jim Mora.

The Bruins defeat New Mexico State, 59-13, and he is able to show some class at the end by emptying his bench and having his third-string quarterback take a knee at the one-yard line in the final seconds instead of piling on another touchdown.

Plus -- and this is big -- he has plenty of reasons to chew out his team, should he choose to do so, after a lopsided win.

Yes, there were plenty of positives for UCLA, but also way enough mistakes to keep the undefeated and No. 13-ranked Bruins humble.

For one, three turnovers inside the 20 yard line.

Also, 14 penalties for 128 yards -- including one, ahem, on Mora for unsportsmanlike conduct along the sideline.

Still, the Bruins improved to 3-0 and dropped New Mexico to 0-3. The Aggies have lost 15 straight games.

UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley completed 23 of 36 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns, with two interceptions.

Jordon James led the Bruins rushing game with 164 yards and two touchdowns in 19 carries.

Eight UCLA players ran the ball, and 17 -- yes, you read that right -- caught passes.

Davis Czares, a La Puente Bishop Amat High product, had two interceptions and recovered a fumble for New Mexico State.

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UCLA 59, New Mexico State 13 (4:38 left in fourth quarter)

The Bruins just will not lay down in their quest to win the fourth quarter.

Malcolm Jones, again proving to be a tough runner around the goal line, carried about half the Aggies’ defense three yards for a touchdown.

Bruins take 14-13 fourth-quarter lead by making the all-important point-after kick.

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UCLA 52, New Mexico State 13 (7:51 left in fourth quarter)

Brandon Betancourt scored on a four-yard run as the Aggies now lead in fourth quarter scoring, 13-7. The extra-point kick was wide left.

Should the Bruins be concerned they are being outscored late in the game?

In a word, no.

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UCLA 52, New Mexico State 7 (11:31 left in fourth quarter)

Now we’re tied in fourth-quarter scoring. (Just trying to entertain myself.)

UCLA, with Jerry Neuheisel at quarterback, drove right back down the field to score when Malcolm Jones bulled his way into the end zone from two yards out.

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UCLA 45, New Mexico State 7 (14:44 left in fourth quarter)

The Aggies lead in the fourth quarter, 7-0, thanks to a 33-yard scoring pass from Andrew McDonald to Adam Shapiro.

The play was made possible when Priest Willis, a freshman cornerback for UCLA, fell down.

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UCLA 45, New Mexico State 0 (1:24 left in third quarter)

UCLA drove 55 yards in three plays ... Check that.

Bruins running back Jordon James ran 55 yards in three plays -- the last a 19-yard scoring run.

James has run for 164 yards and two touchdowns in 19 carries.

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UCLA 38, New Mexico State 0 (2:58 left in third quarter)

Brett Hundley connected with Shaquelle Evans on a seven-yard touchdown pass, getting rid of the ball just as he was hit and lofting it perfectly to the right corner of the end zone.

Hundley has completed 23 of 36 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions. Evans has four catches for 32 yards.

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Andrew McDonald is in at quarterback for New Mexico State, after UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr leveled King Davis III with a late hit.

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UCLA is in no danger of losing this game, but a local product from La Puente Bishop Amat High is having a big game against the Bruins.

Davis Czares of New Mexico State has two interceptions and also recovered a fumble.

His latest pick was of a very poor Brett Hundley pass at the New Mexico State one. He returned the ball 24 yards.

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Some halftime stats as UCLA leads New Mexico State, 31-0:

UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley has completed 17 of 26 passes for 216 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He has connected with nine receivers.

Jordon James is the Bruins’ leading rusher, with 63 yards and a touchdown in 10 carries.

Steven Manfro is also having a big game for UCLA. He scored on a 12-yard run and a 20-yard pass, and also had a 70-yard kickoff return to open the game.

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A long field-goal try by New Mexico State was blocked by UCLA.

The Bruins are up, 31-0, at the half.

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UCLA 31, New Mexico State 0 (39 seconds left in second quarter)

A little quarterback to former quarterback hook-up for the Bruins.

Brett Hundley threw a 21-yard dart to Devin Fuller and the rout is officially on.

UCLA 24, New Mexico State 0 (2:39 left in second quarter)

The Bruins converted Barr’s stellar defensive play with a 38-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn.

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New Mexico State is moving the ball OK. The Aggies have 119 yards.

But every time they get a little something going, UCLA’s defense makes a play.

Linebacker Anthony Barr just made a particularly good one, ripping the ball out of King Davis III’s hands at the UCLA 45.

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UCLA 21, New Mexico State 0 (9:28 left in second quarter)

New Mexico State just had a nice little drive going.

Until it all fell apart on one play.

Myles Jack put a rush on Aggies quarterback King Davis III and Ishmael Adams picked off his pass and returned it 52 yards to the New Mexico State 25.

It took UCLA four plays to score, with Steven Manfro running it in from 12 yards out.

Manfro also has a touchdown reception and a 70-yard kickoff return.

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UCLA 14, New Mexico State 0 (13:46 left in second quarter)

It was written that Steven Manfro seemed to had lost his spot as UCLA’s second-string back behind Jordon James. Freshman Paul Perkins had a big game last weekend, and that’s the way it looked.

Somebody apparently forgot to tell Manfro.

He just blew through the New Mexico State defense for a 20-yard touchdown after taking a short pass from Brett Hundley. Earlier, Manfro had a 70-yard kickoff return.

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UCLA 7, New Mexico State 0 (late in first quarter)

UCLA is now 1 for 3.

The Bruins scored on a four-yard run by Jordon James after a short New Mexico State punt gave UCLA the ball at the Aggies 46.

It took UCLA four plays to score.

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Two UCLA possessions, two red-zone turnovers for the Bruins.

UCLA had a nice drive going until Brett Hundley tried to squeeze in a pass to Y-back Thomas Duarte, who was well covered.

Davis Cazares picked off the pass for New Mexico State at the one-yard line.

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New Mexico State earned three first downs on its first possession before having to punt.

UCLA ball at Bruins’ 14.

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UCLA opened the game with a bang -- a 70-yard punt return by Steven Manfro.

And then a fizzle.

After a four-yard gain by Jordon James on the first play with scrimmage, James fumbled on the second play and New Mexico State recovered at its own five-yard line.

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UCLA opened Saturday’s game in its version of the missing man formation.

The Bruins’ offense sent 11 players on to the field for their first offensive play against New Mexico State, then called receiver Shaquelle Evans back to the sideline.

Nick Pasquale was the symbolic starter at receiver.

Pasquale died on Sept. 8 when he was struck by a car. He had been an inspiration to the Bruins in the year-plus he had been on the team.

A moment of silence was held before kickoff.

Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone came up with the idea to give the start to Pasquale, who played one play against Nevada in the season opener.

The Bruins will have No. 36 -- Pasquale’s number -- painted on the Rose Bowl turf the remainder of the season.

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It’s getting to be a crowded backfield for UCLA.

Running back Jordon James will start when the Bruins play new Mexico State in the Rose Bowl tonight. And he has handled the job well through two games, with 260 yards rushing.

James might have to look over his shoulder, though. Not for defenders, but teammates.

Paul Perkins has run well in the first two games, and appears to have supplanted Steven Manfro as the No. 2 back.

Damien Thigpen, out since last November with a knee injury, is expected to be available for the Utah game.

It gives offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone plenty of options.

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