On the first drive of the game Indiana Hoosiers methodically marched down the field and put seven points on the board against UCLA football.
And that is when the Bruins’ mistakes and miscues began.
UCLA Football’s Unforced Errors Start On First Drive
On that drive, they committed a pass interference on a third and five deep in their own territory. Not only did the penalty move the ball to the seven-yard line, but it also gave Indiana a new set of downs. With those, they got into the end zone.
From a 10,000-foot perspective, this drive also proved that UCLA came into the game with the wrong strategy defensively. Indiana had in large part been so dominant in their first two games by playing old-school Big 10 football. That is to say, they ran the ball and they did so efficiently. They were first in the conference in rushing yards per game (279 yards) and second in yards per rush (6.4 per rush).
But that wasn’t how they attacked the Bruins’ defense. They passed the ball seven times for 68 yards while rushing six times for 12 yards. Credit to UCLA for stopping Indiana’s rushing attack, but the Hoosiers set the tone on the first play, a 23-yard catch and run.
On the whole, UCLA has done a great job starting the run holding them to just 3.2 yards per run. But Indiana quarterback, Kurtis Rourke threw for 183 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.
The next unforced error was on the first offensive UCLA play when quarterback Ethan Garbers fumbled the ball. Indiana recovered the ball at UCLA 17. Three plays later, they were up by 14 points.
On the next drive, UCLA found some rhythm on offense and was able to get the ball into Indiana territory, all the way to the 22-yard line, knocking on the door of the red zone. On 2nd and 6, Garbers took a sack setting up a 3rd and 15. They couldn’t convert and settled for a 41-yard field goal attempt, which was missed by Mateen Bhaghani.
On their final scoring drive of the first half, UCLA football had Indiana dead to rites, sitting outside of field goal territory, when they held Ty Son Lawton for four yards when they needed seven setting up a 4th and 3. We all knew what would come next, a hard count. And Jacob Busic fell for it, jumping offsides and handing Indiana a first down.
Indiana took full advantage, going 41 yards in three plays to score their third and final touchdown of the first half.
The Bruins ended the half on a high note by cutting the lead to 14. If they can stop shooting themselves in the foot, UCLA can give themselves a chance to win this game.
