After Brett Hundley injured his left elbow, it seemed as if No. 14 UCLA was doomed on Saturday night. However, backup quarterback Jerry Neuheisel stepped in and played like a star. The UCLA Bruins (3-0) won 20-17 over the Texas Longhorns (1-2).
Neuheisel, the son of former UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel, threw two touchdown passes in the victory. The key touchdown was a 33 yard pass to Jordan Payton with only three minutes left. He added 178 yards on 23 for 30 passing. Paul Perkins ran the ball 24 times and gained 126 yards but did not find the end zone. Payton had four receptions for 64 yards.
The defense stepped up for the Bruins late in the fourth quarter. The Texas kickoff went out of bounds, putting the Bruins at the 35 yard line. Just a few plays after, Jordon James was stripped by Steve Edmond and the fumble recovered by Paul Boyette.
The Longhorns looked as if they had won the game when Tyrone Swoopes hit John Harris for an eight yard touchdown with about five minutes left. They forced a fumble, but went three-and-out.
Swoopes went 24 for 34, which was good for 196 yards and two touchdown passes. The rushing game was quiet as Malcolm Brown ran for only 69 yards on eight carries for the Longhorns. John Harris caught four passes for 60 yards and one touchdown while Jaxon Shipley led the Longhorns with 9 catches for 65 yards.
The Bruins will have a week off, then they will play at Arizona State at 10:00 PM EST on Thursday, September 25th.
The Longhorns will take on the Kansas Jayhawks on the road next Saturday in the Big 12 opener for both teams.