UCLA fails to build on early lead, blanked in second half of loss to rival USC

LOS ANGELES — For one half, the UCLA football team emboided the resilience of a team that’s been through a coaching change and once managed to produce a win over a top-10 team.

But the clean start did not last Saturday night, and the Bruins failed to score after halftime in a 29-10 season-ending loss to 19th-ranked rival USC at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

It marked the first time in six meetings that the home team claimed ownership of the Victory Bell.

UCLA (3-9, 3-6 Big Ten) lost its fifth consecutive game to close out a season that was put in limbo after former head coach DeShaun Foster was fired three games into a winless start and both coordinators were gone by the fourth loss to open the year.

Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who came in dealing with neck spasms throughout the week, played the entire game and finished 27-of-38 passing for 200 yards and a touchdown without an interception. He was sacked four times — all in the second half.

USC (9-3, 8-2 Big Ten) pulled in front 14-10 late in the third quarter on wide receiver and Biletnikoff Award finalist Makai Lemon‘s 32-yard touchdown connection with quarterback Jayden Maiava. The Trojans marched 91 yards on 10 plays for the go-ahead score.

After forcing a UCLA punt, Lemon then hurdled punter Will Karoll on a 35-yard return to put USC on its own 43-yard line with 13:54 remaining.

The Bruins, who did not commit a first-half penalty, had a pair of penalties including one for roughing the passer wipe out an interception by safety Key Lawrence early on the drive. Two plays later, Maiava connected with wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane for a 27-yard gain down the left side to reach the UCLA 10.

Two plays after that, Maiava extended USC’s lead with a 2-yard touchdown to tight end Lake McRee to make it 21-10 with 11:24 to play.

Maiava completed 21 of 29 passes for 257 yards and a pair of touchdowns without an interception. USC outgained UCLA 388-308 in total yardage.

The Trojans put some salt in the wound with 2 1/2 minutes left and the outcome secure, closing out the scoring with a 41-yard King Miller touchdown run followed by a two-point conversion on a pass from tight end Walker Lyons to reserve quarterback Gage Roy.

UCLA postgame press conference

Interim head coach Tim Skipper addressed the media, followed by Iamaleava and defensive tackle Keanu Williams:

Turning point of the game

Trailing 7-0, the Bruins stopped the Trojans’ early momentum with a blocked field goal from freshman linebacker Scott Taylor on a 38-yard attempt late in the first quarter.

UCLA took advantage to create its own, running 13 plays capped by Iamaleava’s 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer to tie the game with 11:23 left in the second quarter.

Trojans kicker Ryon Sayeri then missed a 30-yard attempt wide to keep the score tied with 5:42 remaining in the half.

On its final possession of the half, UCLA marched to the USC 20-yard line before kicker Mateen Bhaghani converted a 38-yard field goal to take a 10-7 lead into the break.

As a three-touchdown underdog, it was clear that the Bruins were not just going to lay down. Eventually, though, the Trojans’ talent won out in the second half.

UCLA standout on offense: QB Nico Iamaleava/WR Kwazi Gilmer

For just the second time all season, and first since a Week 2 loss at UNLV, the two were in a clear rhythm from start to finish.

Gilmer finished with 10 catches for 73 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets.

Iamaleava did not shy away from using his legs despite injuries in recent weeks to close the season. He had 11 carries for 15 yards, with 18 taken off his total due to sacks.

Iamaleava was able to play a turnover-free game and put UCLA in position to compete.

UCLA standout on defense: LB JonJon Vaughns

Vaughns collected five tackles, including two for a loss and a sack.

The Bruins’ leading tackler finished the year with 107 stops, the fourth-best total in the Big Ten.

Why UCLA lost

The mistakes that were nonexistent early made every difference after halftime.

The Bruins were able to take a three-point lead into break thanks in large part to a penalty-free first 30 minutes. In turn, UCLA took nearly eight minutes off the clock on its first scoring drive and kept things from getting out of hand early after giving up an opening-drive touchdown.

The Bruins had six penalties for 49 yards in the second half. The Trojans were penalized just once for 15 yards after halftime and finished with three for 30 yards.

After not appearing in either of USC’s first two drives for disciplinary reasons, both Lane and Lemon made their impact felt late in the contest. UCLA’s secondary, which was without top cornerback Rodrick Pleasant (shoulder surgery), allowed a combined four catches for 84 yards to the duo.

Of the Trojans’ 257 yards receiving, 147 came after the initial catch.