Familiar problems haunt UCLA during loss at Washington as bowl path gets tougher

UCLA tight end Moliki Matavao is tackled by Washington linebackers Alphonzo Tuputala and Carson Bruener Friday in Seattle. (Lindsey Wasson / Associated Press)

The version of UCLA that rolled into this chilly, wind-swept stadium had a throwback feel.

It resembled the team that struggled so mightily early this season.

Quarterback Ethan Garbers was constantly running from relentless pressure. The Bruins couldn’t run the ball. They forced turnovers but couldn’t do much with them. They hurt themselves with penalties. And their defense gave up too many big plays.

It added up to the end of their three-game winning streak, the Bruins falling flat for the first time in more than a month during a 31-19 loss to Washington on Friday night at Husky Stadium.

UCLA tight end Moliki Matavao (88) stiff-arms Washington edge Isaiah Ward Friday in Seattle. (Lindsey Wasson / Associated Press)

Toward the end of a frustrating night for Garbers, who was scrambling on nearly every play behind an offensive line down to its fourth-string left tackle after Jaylan Jeffers had to be carted off the field, he was flung down for a 12-yard loss on a fourth-down sack with 3½ minutes to go.

UCLA (4-6 overall, 3-5 Big Ten) will need to win its final two games — against USC and Fresno State — to qualify for a bowl game.

Meanwhile, the Huskies (6-5, 4-4) assured themselves of a bowl berth while stretching their home win streak to 20 games.

Washington got a boost from quarterback Desmond Williams Jr. after the freshman replaced erratic starter Will Rogers III and guided the Huskies on three scoring drives, including one that ended in a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end Decker DeGraaf that extended their lead to 24-13 with 5:44 left.

UCLA had intercepted two passes from Rogers in the third quarter — leading to his benching — but turned the takeaways into only three points.

Read more: Mateen Bhaghani kicking his way into UCLA’s football record book

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/familiar-problems-haunt-ucla-during-055458659.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-11-16 05:54:58

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