UCLA Football: Utes Thrive In AP Poll Following W Over Bruins

A wasted opportunity.

Squandering a masterful performance by their defense, UCLA's offense just couldn't get it going this past weekend to fumble a golden opportunity to make a big national impression. 

Getting to the Bruins' young quarterback Dante Moore in many ways, the Utah Utes rose the AP ranks due to their gutty home victory against their Pac-12 opponents in week 4. 

After starting the season at No. 14, moving up to No. 12 in weeks two and three before

climbing up to No. 11 last week

, the Utes now sit in the Top 10 at No. 10. The Utes are joined by five other conference-mates in the AP Top 25. Washington leads the charge jumping USC at No. 7 while the Trojans dropped three spots to No. 8. Oregon is just ahead of Utah at No. 9. Oregon State dropped five spots to No. 19 after a tough loss to Washington State who jumped up five spots to No. 16. After spending the first few weeks in the polls, both Colorado and UCLA dropped out of the AP Top 25 this week. The Bruins were at No. 22 until their close loss to Utah this past weekend.

via Michelle Bodkin, KSL Sports

Shutting down Chip Kelly's pro-style offense all afternoon, the Utes racked up seven sacks on the Bruins' offensive line and made Moore look every bit of the freshman quarterback he is. 

Impressive enough to win the starting job in his first three games for the team, Moore struggled with two critical turnovers and an overall completion percentage of just 42.8%

Now out of the top 25 and propelling their opponent into the top 10, the Bruins will look to pick up the pieces and rebound off of their missed opportunities against the now no. 16 Washington State Cougars.

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