UCLA's offense finally looked to have found its stride but it wasn't enough as the Bruins(1-2, 0-1) defense collapsed in their 34-17 loss Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge Louisiana against No.16 LSU (3-1,1-0)
From the moment they first touched the ball, the Bruins offense finally looked comfortable on the football field. While their defense did just enough in the first half, they couldn't give the same type of production in the second half as the Tigers scored on three straight drives.
Bruins quarterback Ethan Garbers has finally arrived after throwing just one touchdown after two weeks of play. Garbers went 22-36 while throwing 273 yards for two touchdowns.
LSU played a great all-around game, as quarterback Garret Nussmeier went 32-44 with 452 yards passing, three touchdowns, and zero turnovers. This season, he has looked brilliant under center as he now has 13 passing touchdowns with 1,247 yards and two interceptions.
In LSU's first drive of the game, Nussmeier led the Tigers down the field on a five-play drive that included three first-down conversions. The drive would end on a five-yard completion to Tigers running back Zavion Thomas.
With UCLA looking to get off to a hot start for the first time this season, Garbers showed everyone on national television why the Bruins had so much belief in him over the offseason. With the Bruins starting the game on their own 25-yard line, Garbers drove them downfield on a six-play drive which ended with Garbers throwing his second touchdown of the year on a 20-yard pass to tight end Jack Pedersen.
UCLA's one lead in the ball game came near the end of the fourth quarter after the Bruins got to the Tigers' 37-yard line. After failing to convert a first down, UCLA kicker Mateen Bhagandi nailed a 47-yard field goal to take the lead 10-7.
On the next drive, LSU took the lead once again when Nussmeier threw a perfect ball to wide receiver Kyle Parker for a 45-yard touchdown pass, making their lead 14-10. LSU's next score came later in the second on a 22-yard field goal by Damian Ramos. Ramos finished the game with two field goals, his last came near the end of the fourth quarter from a 32-yard field goal.
With 3:45 left in the second quarter, the Bruins were looking to get another score. As UCLA began the drive on their own 41-yard line, UCLA wasted no time, going down the field.
After an LSU pass interference call was made, the Bruins were in the perfect spot to tie the game.
With 16 seconds left in the second quarter, Garbers found Rico Flores jr. open in the endzone to tie the game but a holding call would send them 11 yards back from the endzone. Two plays later, Garbers stepped up in the pocket and as he released the ball, taking a major shot in the gut, he found Logan Loya open and was able to tie the game 17-17 with two seconds left before halftime.
Coming into the third quarter, UCLA received the ball and was looking to keep the momentum they made in the first half continued in the second. LSU had other plans and made key adjustments forcing the Bruins into a three and out.
After a beautiful punt for 94 yards, LSU was pinned near their endzone. The adversity ended up not being enough as LSU's offense executed a 96-yard drive that saw 14 plays. LSU ended the drive with a 35-yard touchdown reception by Caden Durham.
For the remainder of the game, UCLA's offense failed to make another score and couldn't sniff the red zone.
LSU's offense continued to eat up time throughout the game and put together two more long drives to tire the Bruins' defense out enough to seal the victory.
Garbers had just one interception on Saturday after the Tigers scored their second touchdown in the game from a 35 yard pass to running back Caden Durham, giving Nussmeier his third touchdown of the game.