UCLA Bruins Make a Statement, Crush ASU 62-27

Nearly two weeks after the UCLA Bruins’ 2014 season was saved by Jerry Neuheisel’s miracle in Texas, Brett Hundley returned to the field with a heavy brace on his left arm, and a laser-sharp focus. After a back-and-forth opening 29 minutes and 40 seconds, Ishmael Adams returned an interception 95 yards to give the Bruins a 27-17 lead at halftime, and UCLA went on to crush the Arizona State Sun Devils 62-27.

Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Ishmael Adams (1) intercepts the ball and returns it for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona State was playing without its star quarterback Taylor Kelly, who had injured his right foot two weeks earlier against Colorado. Amazingly, however, the Sun Devils took a 17-6 lead early in the second quarter on a 29-yard touchdown pass from back-up quarterback Mike Bercovici to wide receiver Cameron Smith. Bercovici ended up with 488 passing yards, three touchdown passes, and two interceptions.

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The early deficit seemed to wake the Bruins up, as they responded with two touchdowns–on an 80-yard pass from Hundley to Eldridge Massington, and then a 3-yard pass from Hundley to Nate Iese. Just before halftime, the Sun Devils were driving, and were at least poised to come away with a field goal attempt to tie the game at 20. That’s when Ishmael Adams stepped in front of a Bercovici pass on its way to the end-zone, made a few nifty moves, and cruised the rest of the way for a 95-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Payton (9) runs the ball in the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. UCLA defeated Arizona State 62-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

If that play didn’t already rip the hearts out of the Arizona State faithful, the first play from scrimmage after halftime was an 80-yard touchdown strike from Hundley to Jordan Payton, to put the Bruins up 34-17. After the Sun Devils crept back into the game with a field goal about five minutes later, Adams returned the kickoff 100 yards for another touchdown, and the rout was on. On the kickoff return, Adams appeared to be a player in a video game, making several nifty moves and jukes on his way to daylight.

UCLA had it pretty easy the rest of the way, finishing the game off with three more touchdowns. Paul Perkins ran for 137 yards on 14 carries, including a run of 80 yards, and Jordan Payton had 5 receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) in the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. UCLA defeated Arizona State 62-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The big news and most exciting performance of the game–outside of Adams’ two returns for touchdowns, of course–came courtesy of Brett Hundley. Not only did Hundley throw for 355 yards on 18/23 pass attempts, but he also threw for four touchdowns with no interceptions, and ran for 72 yards on eight carries with another touchdown. Most impressively, though, was his sharp focus. He seemed to be locked in all game, and made a concerted effort not to scramble as much and look to run as he had in previous games. He went through all of his reads, found the open receivers, and made accurate passes. As the game wore on, he felt more comfortable, and did run when lanes were open and receivers were not.

On several occasions, he actually took pretty good hits on his injured left arm, and he seemed to welcome the contact, especially on his 1-yard touchdown run to cap off the scoring late in the fourth quarter. All in all, Hundley reestablished himself as a Heisman Award candidate, a top-5 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, and helped put the Bruins squarely in the mix for a playoff berth at the end of the season.

Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. UCLA defeated Arizona State 62-27. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, Arizona State walked into the Rose Bowl and crushed the Bruins’ hopes of another Pac-12 South title with a 38-33 victory. Not only was it important for UCLA to take care of business in Tempe last Thursday night, but it also gives the Bruins momentum heading into a stretch of conference games, including the showdown with Oregon in two weeks. For now, however, the Bruins are happy to remain undefeated, and very happy to get their leader back.