Rosen, UCLA Edge Out BYU 17-14
PROVO, Utah (AP) — Josh Rosen threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns as UCLA suffocated BYU 17-14 on Saturday night.
Neither offense shined as the two defenses controlled most of the night, but UCLA (2-1) was able to hold BYU (1-2) to 273 yards, including 23 on the ground. The Cougars were held to negative rushing yards until late in the third quarter and 91 of those offensive yards came on their final possession.
UCLA fans hoped to see the Rosen that's expected to be a high first-round NFL draft pick after a mediocre start to the season, but BYU never allowed him to feel completely comfortable. Rosen, however, completed a handful of big passing plays, including a 33-yard touchdown to Darren Andrews.
BYU quarterback Taysom Hill finished with 250 passing yards, one touchdown one interception and was sacked four times.
THE TAKEAWAY
BYU: A second consecutive loss puts BYU in an awkward position. Such is life as an independent. Without a conference championship to play for, a berth in the College Football Playoffs is basically eliminated. The Cougars are already contracted for the Poinsettia Bowl if they aren't selected to a New Year's Six bowl. With two losses and nine games to go, including Michigan State and Mississippi State, that's unlikely. The BYU defense continued to play better than expected this season, but the offense regressed for a third consecutive game.
UCLA: The Bruins defense solidified after a pair of shaky performances to start the season. UCLA gave up 378 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in the first two games, but held running back Jamaal Williams to 28 yards and shut down the mobile Hill. The Bruins also blanketed the Cougar receivers, giving Hill few options in the pass game.
UP NEXT
BYU: The Cougars play their fourth consecutive team from a Power 5 conference with a neutral site game against West Virginia at FedEx Field — home of the Washington Redskins — in Greater Landover, Maryland on Saturday.
UCLA: The Bruins begin Pac-12 play against No. 7 Stanford on Saturday.
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