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In a commanding 28-10 triumph over Michigan State, the UCLA Bruins showcased three distinct elements that propelled them to a standout victory.
Red Zone Efficiency
All season, the Bruins had struggled to finish drives with touchdowns, often settling for field goals after reaching the red zone. That pattern was evident in games against Oregon and Wisconsin. However, against the Spartans, UCLA finally resolved this issue. The Bruins kept their field-goal unit on the sideline for nearly the entire contest, scoring four touchdowns. Their only field-goal attempt came late in the fourth quarter with the game already in hand, and Mateen Bhaghani missed a 54-yard try.
Resurgent Ground Game
UCLA's rushing attack delivered a much-improved performance compared to the previous week against Wisconsin. The backfield duo of Anthony Woods and Jaivian Thomas rebounded from early mistakes. Both fumbled in the first half, with Michigan State recovering each time. Undeterred, Woods and Thomas responded by finding the end zone in the second half to extend the Bruins' lead. Woods led all rushers with 112 yards on 14 carries, while Thomas added 41 yards on 10 attempts. Overall, UCLA ran the ball 48 times for 245 yards and three of their four touchdowns, displaying the explosive ground game fans have come to expect.
Momentum-Shifting Plays
UCLA has ridden momentum effectively all season, and two plays against Michigan State swung the game decisively in their favor. First, Donavyn Pellot's interception set up a go-ahead score. Later, Ty Dieffenbach connected with Brian Rowe on a beautiful deep pass for a 63-yard touchdown. Both plays generated significant momentum and resulted in points for the Bruins.