UCLA had plenty to like from its Week One offensive showing, but there was still a clear spot where the Bruins left points on the table.
The red zone mostly worked the way it should have. UCLA finished with just one trip inside the 20 that didn’t end in points, and outside of that, the Bruins were efficient when the field shrank. Their only field goal came as the second quarter expired, while every other red zone drive finished in the end zone.
The one miss came late in the first half, and it had real consequences. After Sammy Omosigho sacked Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and forced a fumble that Amier Washington recovered, UCLA had a short field and a chance to stretch its lead. Instead, as the Bruins moved into the red zone, Nico Iamaleava threw a short pass to the right side that was intercepted.
That turnover flipped the momentum fast. Cal answered with a 38-second, five-play, 87-yard touchdown drive to trim the Bruins’ lead to 21-17. UCLA did manage to salvage a field goal before halftime, but the sequence still gave Cal life going into the break.
The result didn’t change, and Cal only scored seven points in the second half. Even so, that kind of missed opportunity is the sort of thing UCLA has to clean up going forward. Getting a chance to go into halftime with an 18-point lead is one thing; actually cashing it in is another.
Cal was a solid opponent, but the Bruins may not get many chances this season to build that kind of cushion before the half, especially once conference play starts. That’s why the red zone miscue stands out even in a game UCLA handled well overall.
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