UCLA vs. USC Live Game Thread

UCLA (4-6) will seek to win back-to-back rivalry games over the USC Trojans (5-5) in the Crosstown Showdown at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night.

Oct 12, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Ethan Garbers (4) rolls out of the pocket during the first quarter at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images / Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The UCLA Bruins (4-6) are looking to keep their bowl game hopes alive on Saturday night as they host their bitter rival, USC Trojans (5-5) at the Rose Bowl. A win would give them their third victory in four meetings with the Trojans.

The Trojans enter the game coming off an eight-point win over Nebraska with their newfound starting quarterback, transfer sophomore Jayden Maiava. The young speedy quarterback took over the offense after junior Miller Moss was benched prior to last week's contest.

On the Bruins side, they will send out senior quarterback Ethan Garbers, who won as the starter in this matchup last year. 155 passing yards and three touchdowns en route to a 28-20 win over the Trojans at the Coliseum. He has the talent and experience to win this rivalry game one more time.

Remember the rule of five. The game is over if the Bruins win that key statistical battle. For those who don't remember it, it has to do with sacks and turnovers. If the Bruins have three sacks and give up two, they are plus one. They are plus three if they get four turnovers and give up only one. That would give them a plus-four for the day. They want to get to a plus-five ratio every game.

The Bruins must control one of the best running backs in the Big Ten in Trojans senior Woody Marks. 1,024 rushing yards and nine touchdowns with 55-straight games with a reception across his five-year career. Marks will be effective in both the run and pass game this evening.

One area that the Bruins will need to thrive is being able to run the football. Junior star running back T.J. Harden is looking to replicate his sensation performance from a year ago in this matchup. Harden ran for 142 yards, one rushing touchdown, and one receiving. His is pivotal to the Bruins' success.

There is a sense of desperation within the Bruins' pregame motivation due to the fact that they need to win their final two games of the season to become bowl-eligible. After starting the season 1-5, the fact that this team is in a position to play extra football says a lot about their resiliency as a program.

Be sure to follow along with our live updates throughout the contest.

START OF FIRST QUARTER:

SCORE UPDATE No. 1: Mateen Bhaghani kicks a 51-yard field goal. Bruins lead, 3-0.

PENALTY: Bruins called for a false start.

PENALTY: Bruins flagged for an illegal formation.

SCORE UPDATE No. 2: Michael Lantz hits a 19-yard field goal. Bruins and Trojans are tied, 3-3.

TIMEOUT: Bruins take their first timeout of the half.

END OF FIRST QUARTER: Bruins and Trojans tied, 3-3.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Ethan Garbers throws an incomplete pass on fourth down. Trojans take over on their own 42-yard line.

TIMEOUT: Trojans use their first timeout of the half.

TIMEOUT: Trojans call their second timeout of the half.

SCORE UPDATE No. 3: Michael Lantz kicks a 23-yard field goal. Trojans lead, 6-3.

PENALTY: Bruins called for an illegal formation.

TWO MINUTE TIMEOUT

SCORE UPDATE No. 4: Michael Lantz kicks a 22-yard field goal. Trojans lead, 9-3.

TIMEOUT: Trojans call their final timeout of the half.

END OF FIRST HALF: Trojans lead, 9-3.

It was a fairly silent first half from both sides as just four field goals were scored in the first 30 minute of play. The Bruins were effective on their opening drive of the game with sophomore kicker Mateen Bhaghani kicking an impressive 51-yard field goal.

The Bruins were stout in red zone defense, keeping the Trojans out of the end zone on three of their four drives that reached the red area. The Trojans would settle for three field goals to take a 9-3 lead at the break.

Surprisingly, the Bruins outgained the Trojans on the ground with junior running back T.J. Harden rushing for 83 yards on just nine carries. He is currently averaging 9.3 yards per carry. The Bruins will need a strong rush attack from Harden and company to come back in the second half.

Junior wider receiver Titus Mokiao-Atimalala led the way for the Bruins in the passing game with 41 yards through the air. Senior receiver Logan Loya earned just one catch for nine yards and will need to be incorporated into the offense more in the second half.

Overall, the Bruins have done a great job limiting the Trojans' rush attack with senior running back Woody Marks mustering just 42 first half yards on nine carries. They will need to continue to bow up in the red zone while finding ways to score points against this Trojans defense.

START OF THIRD QUARTER:

TIMEOUT: Trojans use their first timeout of the half.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Jayden Maiava throws an incomplete pass. Bruins take over on downs at their own 45-yard line.

SCORE UPDATE No. 5: Ethan Garbers finds Moliki Matavao for a 10-yard touchdown pass. Bruins lead, 10-9.

PENALTY: Bruins called for a false start.

SCORE UPDATE No. 6: Mateen Bhaghani nails a 29-yard field goal. Bruins lead, 13-9.

PENALTY: Bruins flagged for a late hit out of bounds.

END OF THIRD QUARTER: Bruins lead, 13-9.

START OF FOURTH QUARTER:

PENALTY: Trojans called for unsportsmanlike conduct.

SCORE UPDATE No. 7: Jayden Maiava finds Ja'Kobi Lane for a four-yard touchdown pass. Trojans lead, 16-13.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Ethan Garbers is stopped on fourth down. The Trojans take over on the Bruins' 34-yard line.

PENALTY: Trojans flagged for an illegal block in the back.

TIMEOUT: Bruins call their first timeout of the half.

TIMEOUT: Bruins call their second timeout of the half.

SCORE UPDATE No. 8: Michael Lantz hits a 30-yard field goal. Trojans lead, 19-13.

TWO MINUTE TIMEOUT

TIMEOUT: Bruins use their third and final timeout of the half.

TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Ethan Garbers throws an incompletion on fourth down. Trojans will take over at the Bruins' 25-yard line.

FINAL SCORE: Trojans defeat the Bruins, 19-13.

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