UCLA’s upset bid against Oregon doomed by mistakes right to the painful end
LA TimesUCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson loses control of the ball as he is sacked by Oregon linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux in the second quarter of the Bruins’ 34-31 loss at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. “Those are self-inflicted wounds.” UCLA’s offensive line struggled against a Ducks defense designed to stop the run and failed to protect Thompson-Robinson, who was sacked three times and pressured several others. “Anybody in the offensive room would tell you,” Bruins guard-tackle Jon Gaines II said, “this is a game on the O-line.” Thompson-Robinson gutted his way through hit after hit until he could no longer continue, getting sandwiched between Oregon defenders Kayvon Thibodeaux and Kristian Williams and departing with 65 seconds left. The day had started on UCLA’s campus with a far more upbeat vibe, the school hosting ESPN’s “College GameDay” for the first time since it beat Oregon here in 1998.