UCLA earned a massively important 17-15 win over Oregon on Saturday to remain perfect for the year and continue a push toward a Big Ten Championship appearance.
The No. 21 Bruins headed to Eugene to take on the No. 13 Ducks.
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Oregon was without starting QB Dante Moore after he sustained a concussion against USC.
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UCLA Bruins running back Wayne Knight celebrates after scoring on a 9-yard reception in the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks. (Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
That meant backup Dylan Raiola got things going under center.
UCLA put points on the board first with a first-quarter field goal, while Oregon answered back with a touchdown.
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However, their attempt at a 2-point conversion was no good, and it would come back to haunt them.
A rough day under center for Oregon QB Dylan Raiola led to him getting benched in the fourth quarter against UCLA. (Photo by Al Sermeno/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
UCLA added a touchdown in the second quarter, and another in the fourth to go up 17-6, and that’s when Oregon coach Dan Lanning decided to give Raiola — who was just 6/19 passing on the day for 43 yards and two interceptions — in favor of senior Brock Thomas.
However, the call to bring in the third-string signal caller proved to be a good one as Thomas led the Ducks downfield for a field goal with just over five minutes left in the game. He then hit wide receiver Evan Stewart in the end zone to make the game 17-15 with a little over two minutes left.
So… remember that failed 2-point conversion in the first quarter?
That meant that the best way to give themselves a chance at the win was to take another crack at two points, and, well…
The Ducks did wind up getting the ball back with an opportunity to take the lead, but the Bruins managed to put a stop to it for the win.
That’s a massive, statement win for the Bruins, and a tough second loss for the Ducks.
This one is going to make some waves in the rankings, in the Big Ten standings, and the College Football Playoff picture.
But for now, UCLA is clearly enjoying an important road win.
