PASADENA >> UCLA scored 31 unanswered points to fuel a second half rally that gave the Bruins a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, but Stanford came back to tie and force overtime, and then the Cardinal hung on for a 48-47 double-overtime victory in the Pac-12 finale for both teams at the Rose Bowl on Saturday after the Bruins’ do-or-die game-winning two-point conversion came up short.
Running back Brittain Brown set career-highs with 219 rushing yards on 29 carries, but on his final play of the night with the Bruins going to the victory instead of kicking a game-tying extra point to force a third overtime, Brown ran up the middle was stuffed, allowing the Cardinal to escape with the victory.
Coach Chip Kelly said the number of injuries the team had suffered throughout the game had played into the decision to go for the two-point conversion.
“We were running out of guys,” Kelly said. “Our guys fought hard, we just came up short.”
Backup quarterback Chase Griffin completed 9 of 11 passes for 127 yards and a career-high four touchdowns, including a 21-yard touchdown pass to receiver Kyle Philips on 4th down and 18 to bring the game within one point and set up the two-point conversion opportunity.
“He made some really big plays to come in, in that situation,” Kelly said. “I thought he did a great job.
“He was on the money with his throws. He kept some things alive with his feet, which we know he can do. I thought he played really well.”
The Bruins lost quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, defensive back Qwuantrezz Knight and center Sam Marrazzo to injuries throughout the game. The team was already without running back Demetric Felton and linebacker Bo Calvert to start the game.
Thompson-Robinson suffered a leg injury in the second quarter and would not return to the game. He came out of the locker room for the second half on crutches and ice on his right knee.
Thompson-Robinson needed assistance coming off the field. He tried to test his leg but would finish each run on the sideline with a limp. He had completed 8-of-12 passes for 65 yards and ran for six yards on nine carries in the first half.
With the loss, the Bruins (3-4) fall below .500 and lose a second consecutive game at home, after winning the first two at home this season. The Cardinal have won 12 of the last 13 games in the series.
The Bruins’ defense created momentum, after trailing 20-3 at halftime, holding Stanford’s offense to six positive yards on a six-play drive to start the second half and forcing the Cardinal to punt.
UCLA used the combination of Brown and Keegan Jones, who scored a nine-yard touchdown run on the Bruins’ first possession after halftime and kickstarted the team’s rally. The field goal was good and the Bruins cut into Stanford’s 20-10 lead with 9:10 left in the third quarter.
It would be the first of five straight scoring drives for the Bruins, converting points off two interceptions and a third with a 39-yard pick-six from Jay Shaw.
“We got (Stanford quarterback) David Mills to turn the ball over,” Kelly said. “It’s something he hadn’t done all season and it helped rectify the first half we had.”
Mills threw his first three interceptions of the season after not allowing one in 222 passing attempts.
Defensive back Elijah Gates had his second interception of the season, intercepting one of Mills’ passes. It was the Bruins’ fourth straight game with an interception and third with at least two intercept passes.
Griffin completed a 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Greg Dulcich, after Gates’ interception.
Kicker Nicholas Barr-Mira’s field goal helped cut into Stanford’s lead at 20-17 with 3:07 left in the third quarter.
Griffin completed back-to-back passes to Philips on 3rd and 12 and 4th and 4, for a first down that helped continue the drive.
It was Philips’ 100th and 101st career reception as a UCLA Bruin. He has caught at least one pass in 18 straight games.
Philips caught seven passes on seven targets to move into 24th on the program’s career receptions list with 104, tying Junior Taylor (2002-06).
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