EAST LANSING, Mich. — The sheet of paper greeted each UCLA participant as he stepped into his row and took his seat on the workforce aircraft.
On it, in giant block letters, was printed six phrases and a problem from their interim coach: “ARE YOU A ONE-HIT WONDER?”
Every week after upsetting Penn State, the Bruins answered emphatically.
Hell, no!
These guys had one other triumph in them. A giant one.
In an encore that was each bit the success of its smash debut beneath a makeshift teaching employees, UCLA continued its gorgeous transformation from winless workforce to … Massive Ten powerhouse? School Soccer Playoff contender? Sports activities comeback story of the 12 months?
UCLA working again Jalen Berger celebrates with teammates after scoring a landing in opposition to Michigan State.
(Raj Mehta / Getty Pictures)
There appears no restrict to what this workforce would possibly have the ability to accomplish given the continued rise on show Saturday throughout a 38-13 victory over Michigan State at Spartan Stadium.
UCLA’s offense, led by playcaller Jerry Neuheisel, rolled off 38 consecutive factors after the Bruins (2-4 total, 2-1 Massive Ten) noticed the Spartans (3-3, 0-3) an early landing.
The Bruins’ protection, run by de facto defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle, compelled a fumble, stopped the Spartans on all 4 fourth-down makes an attempt and held them to 253 yards of offense.
Orchestrating all of it was interim coach Tim Skipper, who has his workforce taking part in with a spotlight and vitality that have been clearly lacking beneath DeShaun Foster. Skipper may now be thought of a extra enticing candidate for UCLA’s teaching emptiness than Michigan State’s Jonathan Smith, the Pasadena native who has appeared on many candidate lists.
Issues have been going so effectively for the Bruins that UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond came to visit to the place a Occasions reporter was sitting within the press field late within the third quarter to debate the adjustments he had made within the teaching employees that helped spark the workforce’s turnaround.
There’s no debating that this can be a totally different workforce than the lifeless one which dropped its first 4 video games.
As soon as struggling to achieve double digits in factors, UCLA’s offense is now buzzing. A brand new star emerged Saturday when working again Jalen Berger scored three touchdowns and ran for a season-high 89 yards in opposition to his former workforce, one rating approaching a run and the opposite two on catches.
On a uncommon day through which he didn’t have to spark UCLA’s offense together with his legs, quarterback Nico Iamaleava was practically flawless together with his arm. He accomplished 16 of 24 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns with out an interception whereas working simply six instances for 3 yards.
The Bruins’ 24-7 halftime lead meant they’d scored extra factors in a recreation and a half with Neuheisel calling performs (66) than they did of their earlier 4 video games mixed (57). Their attacking, disciplined protection compelled one other turnover and stifled Michigan State after permitting the Spartans to attain a landing on their opening drive.
UCLA’s particular groups chipped in as effectively, in a scene that appeared acquainted to those that had watched the Bruins play Northwestern however one way or the other caught Michigan State unexpectedly. With the Bruins lined as much as punt early within the second quarter, Cole Martin took the snap and ran for 20 yards and a primary down. The play was practically an identical to his pretend punt in opposition to the Wildcats two weeks earlier.
UCLA transformed the trickery into factors after Iamaleava related with Berger for a three-yard landing catch.
After Bruins edge rusher Devin Aupiu compelled a fumble from Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles that defensive sort out Siale Taupaki recovered, the Bruins acquired the ball again on the Spartans’ 32-yard line. Iamaleava later discovered vast receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala chopping throughout the tip zone for a 12-yard landing that prolonged UCLA’s result in 24-7.
Each bounce went the Bruins’ approach apart from a Mateen Bhaghani field-goal try that ricocheted off the left upright late within the second quarter.
UCLA’s 24 consecutive factors made its halftime benefit appear far higher, prompting Michigan State followers to serenade their workforce with boos heading into the locker room on what was shaping up as a not-so-festive homecoming.
Every week after they shocked the faculty soccer world by beating Penn State, the large story was the Bruins. As soon as extra.
