UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet scored three touchdowns and the Bruins’ defense forced multiple turnovers during a 45-17 win at Colorado Saturday afternoon.
Zach Charbonnet helps UCLA cruise past winless Colorado to improve to 4-0
BOULDER, Colo. — Nearly a month into the season, UCLA’s toughest opponent continues to be the UC regents.
Colorado showed some early spunk Saturday before quickly folding, the winless Buffaloes unlike that governing board that remains poised to threaten the Bruins’ move to the Big Ten Conference.
UCLA was so comfortably ahead on the way to its 45-17 victory that quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson exited with six minutes left … in the third quarter. Buffaloes fans had departed Folsom Field in droves by then, some possibly refusing to return until a new coach paces their sideline.
Meanwhile, UCLA fans would be forgiven for wondering about the significance of their team’s first 4-0 start since 2015. The Bruins have beaten Bowling Green, Alabama State and South Alabama in addition to what might go down as one of the worst teams in Colorado’s 132 years of football.
UCLA runs out the clock, clinches first Pac-12 win of season
UCLA ran the ball five consecutive times, with four carries by TJ Harden, to run out the clock and seal the Bruins’ first Pac-12 win of the season.
The Bruins dominated from start to finish, with Zach Charbonnet scoring three touchdowns and Laiatu Latu leading a smothering defensive effort.
UCLA wins 45-17 and can celebrate this one on the flight home. The team is slated to practice Sunday ahead of a key Pac-12 game against Washington on Friday at the Rose Bowl.
Colorado scores late touchdown
After UCLA and Colorado traded punts, Owen McCown found some breathing room and led the Buffaloes on a 14-play, 85-yard scoring drive. He capped the drive that included an ineligible receiver downfield penalty with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Jordyn Tyson. With the extra point, UCLA leads 45-17 with 2:59 left in the game.
UCLA 45, Colorado 17
Ethan Garbers leads quick scoring drive to open fourth quarter
A Colorado face mask penalty late in the third quarter helped put Ethan Garbers and the Bruins in the red zone to open the fourth quarter.
Garbers connected with Colson Yankoff for a three-yard touchdown. Backup Joseph Firebaugh Jr. converted the extra point with 14:56 left in the fourth quarter, adding to the list of Bruins reserves gaining experience during the romp. The Bruins own a 45-10 lead.
UCLA 45, Colorado 10
UCLA defense continues to haunt Owen McCown
Owen McCown may have some nightmares about this UCLA defense.
The Bruins have sacked McCown three times and forced him to fumble.
Two plays into the possession following the fumble, McCown tossed a pass that was intercepted by Carl Jones. There was an ineligible receiver down field, but UCLA waived the penalty and took over possession at the Colorado 39 with 1:02 left in the third quarter.
UCLA 38, Colorado 10
Ethan Garbers takes over at quarterback
Colorado managed a first down before the UCLA defense forced another punt.
With the game clearly in control, backup quarterback Ethan Garbers replaced starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson at the 3:34 mark in the third quarter. Garbers completed a 19-yard pass to Michael Ezeike, but he had two other incomplete throws on the drive and UCLA ultimately punted.
The Bruins have a grueling week, with travel back from Colorado followed by a big Friday night showdown with Washington at the Rose Bowl.
UCLA forces a fumble that sets up another Bruins touchdown
UCLA’s defense has been relentless, with Laiatu Latu picking up his third sack of the game that forced a fumble. Bo Calvert recovered at the Colorado 30-yard line.
Two plays later, Dorian Thompson-Robinson completed a two-yard touchdown pass to Colson Yankoff. The extra point extended UCLA’s lead to 38-10 with 6:03 left in the third quarter.
UCLA 38, Colorado 10
UCLA tacks on a field goal
UCLA went three-and-out on its second possession of the third quarter, but the Bruins defense had no trouble quickly forcing Colorado to go three-and-out. The Buffs tried to fake a punt, but Bo Calvert helped stuff the play and the Bruins took over at the Colorado 31-yard line.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson completed only two passes on the drive, but Nicholas Barr-Mira hit a 44-yard field goal with 7:48 left in the third quarter to extend the Bruins’ lead.
UCLA 31, Colorado 10
UCLA defense forces another Colorado punt
UCLA’s defense is swarming.
Colorado’s opening drive of the second quarter went as follows: incomplete pass, incomplete pass, sack, punt.
Bruins remain in control.
UCLA 28, Colorado 10
Watch Zach Charbonnet deliver highlight touchdown run
UCLA wasted no time finding the end zone to start the second half.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson completed three consecutive passes for a total gain of 29 yards before Zach Charbonnet carved up the Buffaloes’ defense during a 46-yard touchdown run. It was his third touchdown of the game. The Bruins tacked on the extra point to take a 28-10 lead with 13:23 left in the third quarter.
UCLA 28, Colorado 10
Colorado converts on fourth down for its first touchdown
After UCLA failed to convert on fourth-and-two, Colorado faced fourth-and-goal on the Bruins’ two-yard line.
Owen McCown faked a handoff and cut outside for the two-yard touchdown run. Fans cheered as the Buffaloes hit the extra point and trimmed the UCLA lead with 19 seconds left in the second quarter.
Colorado kicked off and the second quarter clock expired on the touchback.
UCLA 21, Colorado 10
UCLA falls short on fourth down
UCLA marched into Colorado territory and decided to go for it on fourth-and-two on the Buffaloes’ 27-yard line. Keegan Jones gained only one yard on the play and the Bruins turned the ball over on downs with 3:57 left in the second quarter.
UCLA 21, Colorado 3
UCLA defense delivers another stop
After giving up three points on Colorado’s previous possession, the UCLA defense tightened up and forced the Buffaloes to go three-and-out with 7:06 left in the second quarter.
UCLA 21, Colorado 3
Dorian Thompson-Robinson flashes dual-threat skills
UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson used a mix of three pass plays and three run plays to carve up the Colorado defense after the Buffaloes’ first score.
The Bruins brushed off an illegal formation penalty on a Zach Charbonnet carry in the red zone, handing the ball to Charbonnet again. He rumbled for a 13-yard touchdown and the Bruins’ added the extra point with nine minutes left in the second quarter.
UCLA 21, Colorado 3
Colorado earns its first points
Colorado quarterback Owen McCown opened the second quarter with a 46-yard pass to Daniel Arias, but the UCLA defense tightened up and limited the Buffaloes to a 35-yard field goal by Cole Becker with 12:12 left in the second quarter.
UCLA 14, Colorado 3
Bruins dominate the first quarter, tack on another touchdown
UCLA’s defense forced Colorado to punt after an eight-play, 19-yard drive.
The Bruins’ offense then continued to keep the pressure on with a seven-play, 95-yard drive that took just 1:46.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson completed five consecutive passes before tossing one incomplete. Zach Charbonnet then rushed for a 35-yard touchdown. With extra point, UCLA took a 14-0 lead with 46 seconds left in the first quarter that was dominated by the Bruins.
UCLA 14, Colorado 0
Dorian Thompson-Robinson leads Bruins on quick scoring drive
After Colorado missed a 54-yard field goal on its opening drive, UCLA took control with an efficient six-play, 64-yard drive that spanned 2:37.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson connected with Matt Sykes for a 24-yard touchdown with 6:18 left in the first quarter.
UCLA 7, Colorado 0.
Identical twins Grayson and Gabriel Murphy were a package deal UCLA was happy to make
Grayson Murphy knows what it’s like to go into the bathroom, look in the mirror and see another version of himself besides his own reflection.
Because he’s standing right there.
That familiar face brushes his teeth in unison every morning, after always getting up at the same time. The practically indistinguishable pair will go on to eat the same breakfast, complete the same football practice, attend the same classes, finish the same homework and wind down at the same bedtime.
Grayson and Gabriel Murphy aren’t inseparable, they’re closer than that.
“I wouldn’t even say we’ve been away from each other for 24 hours our whole lives,” Gabriel said.
Not everything about the twins is identical. Grayson has a slightly thicker build, as well as a small scar over his left eye. Gabriel’s curly hair was dyed a slightly darker yellow, his mother unable to duplicate the same shade between her sons.
What’s in a name? Bigger UCLA crowds at the Rose Bowl, according to Chip Kelly
Build a schedule filled with brand names and they will come.
That was Chip Kelly’s message Monday when the UCLA coach addressed the team’s sagging attendance at the Rose Bowl. Already this season, the Bruins have drawn the two smallest crowds since they began calling the venerable stadium home in 1982, including 29,344 on Saturday against South Alabama.
“Attendance, I think when you look at it, especially here on the West Coast, is probably relative to your opponent and really knowledge of the opponent,” Kelly said, alluding to a lack of awareness about South Alabama.
“People know the name of LSU [a UCLA opponent last season that drew 68,123]. I think what’s kinda lost on me is that you don’t understand that South Alabama, just cause it’s a regional school from the Sun Belt [Conference], but that’s as good a football team as we’ve played in the last two years … but they don’t have name recognition and I get that.”
UC campuses face rollback in authority after UCLA deal to leave Pac-12 irks regents
The University of California isn’t done addressing the fallout over UCLA’s move to the Big Ten that set off a national furor and irked the powerful UC Board of Regents.
The regents, meeting in San Diego on Thursday, briefly discussed a proposal to bar the university president from delegating such authority if one UC campus’ proposed athletics transaction would cause a sister campus a “material adverse financial impact” — defined as 10% or greater of the operating revenue of the athletic department in question. The ban on delegating authority to campuses would also apply if a proposed deal would raise a “significant question” of university policy or create a “significant risk of reputational harm” to UC.
Board Chair Richard Leib emphasized that the proposal is aimed at future campus actions. But it was triggered by widespread concerns among regents about the financial impact UCLA’s decision to leave the Pac-12 in 2024 could have on UC Berkeley.
The Westwood campus will receive a full share of the new Big Ten media rights package that’s valued at more than $1 billion per season and is expected to be multiple times that of a Pac-12 deal under negotiation. But UC Berkeley is bracing for a multimillion-dollar loss in media revenue under a new TV contract with a Pac-12 conference diminished by the departure of UCLA and USC.
How should UCLA and USC fans feel about their 3-0 teams?
USC and UCLA boast matching 3-0 records, but their experiences have been quite different to start the season.
Los Angeles Times college football writers Ben Bolch, Ryan Kartje, J. Brady McCollough and Thuc Nhi Nguyen discuss what we’ve learned from the Trojans, the Bruins and the rest of the Pac-12 so far.
How should fans feel about UCLA’s and USC’s 3-0 starts?
Kartje: Contentment isn’t a state USC fans are all that accustomed to, but after three consecutive comfortable victories, there’s no reason they shouldn’t be perfectly pleased by what they’ve seen. Has it been perfect? Of course not. Is the defensive front a concern? Absolutely. But the offense is as advertised, averaging more than 50 points per game, and while USC’s defense has given up a ton of yards, it still has allowed fewer than 20 points per game. The Trojans continue to trend upward and if they can come out of Corvallis with a key road victory, they’ll really be cooking with gas.
As for UCLA, well … I’d imagine there’s a decidedly different sentiment among Bruins fans.
McCollough: Yes, it very much depends on if you’re wearing blue and gold or cardinal and gold. UCLA fans can feel relieved that they didn’t suffer an embarrassing loss to South Alabama, but they also should feel wary of the Washington-Utah-Oregon stretch after another cupcake in Colorado this week. If the Bruins don’t improve quickly, they could be 4-3 before we know it. I know USC fans are elated with the team’s start, and they should be. The Trojans look like contenders for the Pac-12 title and a playoff berth. Wow.
Nguyen: I get why both fan bases are a little nervous. They’ve been hurt before. They’re not ready to trust again. We’ve all been there. If I were a USC fan though, I’d be much happier. If you can’t be happy with that offense, then there are some life priorities to sort out. The defense still warrants questions. For UCLA fans, they’re going to need a little more from the Bruins. Winning with such an easy early schedule was never going to be enough. They had to win in convincing, stylish fashion and that hasn’t been the case.
Bolch: UCLA might be the most angst-riddled 3-0 team in the country given all the blowback about low attendance and spotty play against inferior competition. Here’s the thing: If the Bruins can get to 5-0 by beating Colorado and No. 18 Washington, their bandwagon is going to be overflowing again and at least one set of tarps is going to have to come off at the Rose Bowl for the game against Utah on Oct. 8.
UCLA vs. Colorado: Betting odds, lines, picks and predictions
UCLA visits Colorado at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Pac-12 opener for both teams as the Bruins look to stay undefeated on the season as heavy favorites.
UCLA is off to a 3-0 start with wins over Bowling Green, Alabama State and South Alabama, but the Bruins are just 2-1 against the spread. They had to rally to beat South Alabama 32-31 last week, failing to cover as 15.5-point home favorites at the Rose Bowl.
The Bruins are 21-point road favorites Saturday as Colorado is 0-3 SU & ATS with blowout losses to Texas Christian, Air Force and Minnesota.
UCLA vs. Colorado: Will Bruins play a part in Karl Dorrell getting fired again?
BOULDER, Colo. — UCLA might be able to do something unprecedented Saturday — fire Karl Dorrell for a second time.
The Bruins wouldn’t actually pull the trigger, of course, but they could certainly hasten the dismissal of the Colorado coach who needs an ice bath every time he rises from a seat.
UCLA fans are painfully familiar with Dorrell’s shortcomings based on his five-year run to nowhere in Westwood. Great guy, but, boy, is his offense boring. His defense was so bad in 2005 that its players absorbed a halftime tirade from an unlikely source — offensive coordinator Tom Cable.
Buffaloes fans are seeing what can happen when you combine Dorrell’s coaching with limited talent. Colorado has been outscored 128-30 on the way to its 0-3 start, forcing athletic director Rick George to address swirling frustration in a statement that also included some rare bulletin-board material from a winless team.