Colorado vs. UCLA Short Report | Oct 28, 2023
Rose Bowl
Pasadena, CA
Oct 28, 2023
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Game Recap
The UCLA Bruins overcame an early deficit to defeat the Colorado Buffaloes 28-16 in a thrilling contest at the Rose Bowl. Despite trailing 6-0 after the opening quarter, the Bruins' defense clamped down and their offense found its rhythm. Ethan Garbers, demonstrating poise and precision, threw two touchdown passes and orchestrated key drives, finishing with 269 yards on 20 completions out of 27 attempts.
The Bruins' defense was the cornerstone of the victory, sacking Colorado's Shedeur Sanders seven times and breaking up passes to stymie the Buffaloes' aerial attack. Linebacker Jordan Domineck played a key role with his two sacks, while defensive lineman Laiatu Latu was a constant menace at the line of scrimmage. Even standout efforts from Colorado's Travis Hunter, who intercepted two passes, could not tilt the balance. The win bolstered UCLA's season record to 6-2, positioning them strongly for postseason play, while Colorado's struggles continue as they drop to 4-4.
Key Plays:
Alejandro Mata (Colorado Buffaloes)
Mata's 30-yard field goal came off a well-executed drive by Colorado, setting the tone for their early lead, with efficient ball movement and precise play-calling from Sanders.
Travis Hunter (Colorado Buffaloes)
Hunter's interception at UCLA's 36-yard line halted a promising Bruins drive. His return provided a prime opportunity for Colorado, though the subsequent drive did not yield a score.
Ethan Garbers (UCLA Bruins)
Garbers connected on a crucial 3-yard touchdown pass to Carson Steele, swinging the lead to UCLA at 7-6 and showcasing their ability to capitalize on red zone opportunities.
Travis Hunter (Colorado Buffaloes)
Hunter's second interception came at a critical juncture, returning a Schlee pass to the Colorado 41-yard line. His defensive prowess was instrumental in keeping the team within striking distance
Alejandro Mata (Colorado Buffaloes)
Mata nailed a 39-yard field goal, pushing Colorado's lead to 6-0 as the team struggled to find the end zone despite favorable field possession and multiple offensive attempts.
Ethan Garbers (UCLA Bruins)
Garbers' second touchdown pass, a 26-yard strike to Moliki Matavao, extended UCLA's lead to 14-6 early in the third quarter, highlighting a perfect opening drive for the second half.
TJ Harden (UCLA Bruins)
Harden's hard-fought 3-yard touchdown run widened UCLA's lead to 21-9, capping a meticulous drive that ate up the clock and demoralized the Colorado defense.
Collin Schlee (UCLA Bruins)
Schlee's 7-yard rushing touchdown solidified UCLA's commanding lead at 28-9, demonstrating the Bruins' dominance with a multi-faceted offense late in the game.
Shedeur Sanders (Colorado Buffaloes)
Sanders' 18-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Horn Jr. was a valiant effort to narrow the gap at 28-16, but ultimately proved too little, too late for the Buffaloes.
Standout Players:
Laiatu Latu (UCLA Bruins, DL)
Disrupted Colorado's offensive rhythm with 2 key sacks and constant pressure on Shedeur Sanders.
Ethan Garbers (UCLA Bruins, QB)
Displayed poise, completing 20 of 27 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns, critical in orchestrating UCLA's win.
Travis Hunter (Colorado Buffaloes, CB)
Recorded two interceptions and added four tackles, keeping Colorado within striking distance throughout the game.
Alejandro Mata (Colorado Buffaloes, K)
Made all three field goal attempts, contributing significantly to Colorado's early lead.
Jordan Domineck (Colorado Buffaloes, LB)
Notched two sacks and six tackles, playing a crucial role in Colorado's defensive efforts against UCLA.
References:
Colorado Buffaloes vs. UCLA Bruins - Final Score - October 28, 2023 | FOX Sports
University of Colorado Athletics
Colorado Buffaloes vs. UCLA Bruins Live Score and Stats - October 28, 2023 Gametracker - CBSSports.com
How UCLA stymied Colorado's offense to win 28-16: Full recap and analysis - The Athletic
Team
1
2
3
4
T
Colorado Buffaloes
6
0
3
7
16
UCLA Bruins
0
7
7
14
28
