All year, the Bruin defense has been maligned for its inability
to stop opposing offenses on a consistent basis.
And all year, aside from last week’s game against Arizona,
the Bruin defense was satisfied that it was at least able to get
the ball back to the offense when it counted.
On Saturday, UCLA continued its inability to stop an opposing
team, allowing Arizona State over 500 yards of total offense. This
time, however, the Bruins caused three turnovers that all led to
touchdowns.
“We know that teams are going to score; it’s the
Pac-10, after all,” senior safety Jarrad Page said.
“The key is that we look to make big plays when teams give us
the chance.”
The Sun Devils’ three turnovers all came at opportune
times for the Bruins, the most important being a fumble by Arizona
State wide receiver Derek Hagan when the game was tied at 28 midway
through the third quarter.
Hagan beat senior cornerback Marcus Cassel deep for a 40-yard
gain, but the senior came back to strip the ball, which was then
recovered by Page at UCLA’s own 17-yard line.
“I saw the ball coming out of the corner of my eye,”
Cassel said, “and I just kept telling myself to look for the
ball. I was just relieved to get it.”
The fumble by Hagan was only the first of the day, but he
fumbled again on the Sun Devils’ next possession. The
turnover was once again caused by Cassel, and the Bruins were able
to go the length of the field and score.
Both of UCLA’s touchdowns in the third quarter came off
the Hagan turnovers.
“Those turnovers turned the momentum of the game,”
Cassel said.
“They were really moving the ball on us in the first half,
but after those turnovers, they couldn’t really sustain much
of a drive against us.”
With the three forced turnovers on Saturday, the Bruins
maintained their position as No. 2 in the Pac-10 in turnover
ratio.
Cassel played a big part in the Bruins’ success, forcing
two fumbles on Saturday and making up for his struggles earlier in
the season.
“To have this type of performance on Senior Day means so
much to me,” Cassel said.
“It helps put in perspective all we have gone through, and
how far we have come.”
SENIOR DAY: Besides Cassel, 14 other Bruins
were honored on Senior Day, including Page, linebacker Spencer
Havner, tight end Marcedes Lewis and quarterback Drew Olson.
Senior linebacker Justin London, quarterback David Koral and
center Mike McCloskey were also introduced prior to the game, but
were unable to play due to injuries.
“This was a special day for us,” Page said.
“There is no better way to finish than being undefeated at
home your senior year, and having a chance to play for the
conference title.”
REPLAY MAYHEM: Five plays were reviewed by the
replay officials on Saturday. Four were overturned, including three
in favor of the Bruins.
Two of those plays were critical touchdown catches by Lewis and
wide receiver Brandon Breazell.
The first came when Lewis was initially ruled out-of-bounds at
the 1-yard line in the first quarter. After the replay, the catch
was recognized as a touchdown.
A similar play occurred with Breazell, who was ruled
out-of-bounds on his third-quarter touchdown catch, but then given
the touchdown after the referees ruled that he had gotten one foot
down in the end zone.
A total of 15 minutes and 34 seconds were spent reviewing the
plays.
EXTRA POINTS: Hagan, with seven catches
Saturday, broke the Pac-10 record for career receptions of 248,
previously held by Stanford’s Troy Walters. Hagan finished
the game with 97 yards receiving, and now has 249 catches in his
career … Saturday was the ninth annual Veterans and Armed Forces
Appreciation Day at the Rose Bowl, and members of the armed forces
were honored at halftime … UCLA has now beaten the Sun Devils
three consecutive times at home … UCLA has only gone undefeated
at home twice before this year since moving to the Rose Bowl in
1982 … Saturday’s attendance of 84,893 was the largest of
the season.