Bruins sack Sanders 7 times on way to 28-16 win over Coloardo
T.J. Harden of the UCLA Bruins leaps past the defense of Omarion Cooper #3 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the second half of a game at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, Calif. - Ethan Garbers threw two touchdown passes, UCLA’s defense sacked Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders seven times and the 23rd-ranked Bruins broke open a close game at halftime with three second-half touchdowns in a 28-16 victory over the Buffaloes on Saturday night.
UCLA led 7-6 at halftime after committing four turnovers in the first half, but scored touchdowns on three of its first four drives in the second half to take control.
The Bruins (6-2, 3-2 Pac-12) came into the game tied for 10th in the nation with 24 sacks. The seven sacks of Sanders is the first time they have had that many in a game since 2019. Linebacker Laiatu Latu sacked Sanders twice.
It is the third time this season Sanders has been sacked at least seven times in a game. The Buffaloes (4-4, 1-4) had allowed 35 sacks coming into the game, tied for second-most in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
SUGGESTED:
- Parking police leave ticket on Deion Sanders' luxury car ahead of games against Oregon: 'Lamborghini Prime'
- Deion Sanders' 'Prime' sunglasses bring in almost $5 million in first three days of presale orders: report
- Sean McVay: Deion Sanders 'absolutely' would make a good NFL head coach
Sanders finished 27 of 43 for 217 yards and a touchdown. Alejandro Mata had three field goals.
The Bruins got the second-half kickoff and went 75 yards in two plays, including Garbers’ 26-yard touchdown pass over the middle to Moliki Matavao to make it 14-6 35 seconds into the third quarter.
Garbers got the start for the second straight week and completed 20 of 27 for 269 yards and an interception. The junior gave UCLA a 7-6 advantage early in the second quarter on a 3-yard TD pass to Carson Steele. UCLA was in the T-formation on third-and-goal when Garbers found Steele wide open in the left corner of the end zone.
T.J. Harden and Collin Schlee had fourth-quarter rushing scores. Logan Loya had seven receptions for 111 yards for the Bruins.
UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Laiatu Latu rushes Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Colorado scored on its first two drives and took a 6-0 lead as Mata connected on field goals from 31 and 39 yards. The Buffaloes had a short field on their second possession after Hunter’s first interception at the UCLA 36-yard line.
It appeared as if a Deion Sanders-coached team would not find the end zone for the first time in his four seasons as a collegiate coach until Jimmy Horn Jr. caught an 18-yard TD with 2:37 remaining.
Colorado safety Shilo Sanders was ejected for targeting late in the second quarter when his shoulder hit on UCLA tight end Carsen Ryan connected to the chin and face mask area.
Sanders celebrated and flexed after the hit while penalty flags flew around him.
Earlier in the quarter, Sanders’ shoulder forced Steele to fumble for UCLA’s second turnover of the half. The normally reliable Steele had two fumbles in the first half.
Next Saturday, Colorado hosts No. 11 Oregon State, while UCLA travels to Arizona to take on the Wildcats.