UCLA wins thriller
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) Kevin Prince threw a go-ahead, 7-yard touchdown pass to Shaquelle Evans with 3:26 to play, and UCLA rallied from an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter for a 28-25 victory over Washington State on Saturday night.
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Prince passed for 173 yards and led a thrilling comeback after starter Richard Brehaut broke his leg in the second quarter, mounting two late touchdown drives. Derrick Coleman rushed for two scores, and Josh Smith caught a TD pass for the Bruins (3-3, 2-1 Pac-12).
Marshall Lobbestael passed for 235 yards and hit Jared Karstetter and Rickey Galvin for second-half touchdowns, but Washington State (3-2, 1-1) couldn't extend its impressive start to the season.
Andrew Abbott intercepted Lobbestael's final pass near midfield with 2:01 to play, and Smith made an exceptional catch for a first down while getting hit in the closing seconds, allowing UCLA to run out the clock.
After receiving boos when he took the field, Prince went 8 for 13 in a steady performance in relief of Brehaut. Prince began his third straight season as UCLA's starter, but lost the job last month after throwing three interceptions in the first quarter of a loss to Texas.
Andrew Furney kicked four field goals for the Cougars, who could have matched their conference win total from the previous three seasons combined with a victory. After rallying from a late deficit at Colorado last week, Washington State allowed UCLA's comeback despite out gaining the Bruins.
After the Cougars settled for three field goals in the first half when their offense stalled inside the UCLA 10, Karstetter scored Washington State's first touchdown midway through the third quarter.
Galvin then caught a fourth-quarter TD pass from Lobbestael, who went 28 for 40. The longtime backup quarterback remained in the Cougars' starting lineup despite the return of Jeff Tuel, back in uniform after breaking his collarbone in the season opener.
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UCLA didn't get a first down until early in the second quarter, and Brehaut was hurt on a hard tackle during a 5-yard run early in the second quarter. The junior attempted to walk back to the huddle before collapsing on the field.
Prince immediately sparked the Bruins, connecting with Nelson Rosario on a 41-yard pass to the goal line, where Coleman scored.
Tyler Gonzalez, a former manager of the Bruins' soccer team pressed into football action by injuries, kicked the extra point for the Bruins.
Coleman added another short TD on the Bruins' opening drive of the second half, but UCLA's fourth personal foul allowed the Cougars to make a short touchdown drive capped by Karstetter's 8-yard grab over the middle.
Lobbestael hit Galvin in stride for a 21-yard TD, but UCLA blocked the extra point and made a swift drive for Smith's TD catch. Rosario couldn't hold on to the 2-point conversion throw, keeping Washington State ahead 22-20.
Furney hit a 47-yard field goal with 5:49 to play, but Rosario made an electrifying, one-handed 58-yard catch that put the Bruins inside the Washington State 10 moments later. Evans scored on a 7-yard slant, and Rosario caught a 2-point conversion pass, putting UCLA up by three points.