Breaking down Texas A&M-UCLA's insane ending
The opening-week contest between Texas A&M and UCLA was one of the marquee games on the college football calendar, and it certainly did not disappoint.
Holding a 15-point lead with five minutes to play, the Aggies seemed to have the victory sewn up before all hell broke loose in College Station on Saturday. Here's how it happened:
4:19 - Olorunfunmi cuts it to a one-score game
gameontech: Olorunfunmi runs 9 yards for a TD CBS College Football: UCLA at Texas A&M https://t.co/MfcIoeYCQg pic.twitter.com/ZbdjkhuDwX
— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) September 3, 2016
UCLA running back Bolu Olorunfunmi ran in a 9-yard touchdown to cut the 15-point deficit to eight, pulling off a ridiculous hand plant in the process. Bruins head coach Jim Mora celebrated wildly with massive hand gestures.
2:39 - Rosen throws 62-yard bomb, UCLA ties game
TD UCLA! They'll go for 2 to tie it! #UCLAvsTAMU https://t.co/gNnRUES6gb
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 3, 2016
Trailing by eight with under three minutes left, UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen faced the difficult task of driving the Bruins roughly 70 yards for the tying score. He decided to take care of that in one play, scrambling to his right and throwing up a jump ball for receiver Kenneth Walker III. Despite being surrounded by multiple Texas A&M defenders, Walker hauled in the pass and scampered into the end zone. UCLA would complete the two-point conversion to tie the contest.
0:58 - Eventful series ends with Rosen interception
Rosen is picked off! TAMU has a chance to drive for the win now! #UCLAvsTAMU https://t.co/l6DbtzAEmn
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 3, 2016
Following another Texas A&M three-and-out, Rosen had a chance to drive UCLA to an improbable win in regulation. Prior to the first play, he motioned the crowd to make noise - an unusual move considering he was playing on the road in front of 100,000-plus fans. He would immediately lose the ball on a scramble, fumbling to an Aggie defender, but was ruled down by contact. Rosen took advantage of the favorable call by immediately throwing an interception to Justin Evans, who appeared to dislocate his knee on the play. Not waiting to be diagnosed, and showing he's much tougher than everyone else in the process, Evans immediately popped it back into place.
(Warning: graphic content)
0:20 - Knight hurdles defender on drive into field-goal range
Some QBs like to slide. Trevor Knight is not one of those QBs. #UCLAvsTAMU #GigEm https://t.co/EG7rQLRDkv
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 3, 2016
Trevor Knight was scrambling, literally, to get Texas A&M into field-goal range for a last-second chance. Instead of sliding down and avoiding contact, Knight hurdled a would-be tackler, picking up a couple more crucial yards in the process. Unfortunately for the Aggies, they would not get close enough for a field-goal attempt, and overtime was needed.
Overtime - Knight runs in the go-ahead touchdown
Knight gets in easily on the read option, now it's UCLA's turn! #UCLAvsTAMU https://t.co/twZo5dXAxE
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 3, 2016
On the first possession of overtime, Kevin Sumlin opted to go for the touchdown on fourth-and-goal, and Knight kept the ball on a read option to give the Aggies the lead.
Overtime - Roberts drops potential tying touchdown
UCLA WR Austin Roberts drops a possible TD! #UCLAvsTAMU https://t.co/hKRr5H7Vhv
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 3, 2016
UCLA had to score a touchdown to extend the game, and moved the ball to the Aggie 6-yard line in its efforts. On third-and-goal, Rosen scrambled and found Austin Roberts wide-open for the score, but Roberts couldn't hang on, leaving the Bruins down to their final chance.
Overtime - Evans breaks up last chance for UCLA
4th down pass falls incomplete, A&M wins! #UCLAvsTAMU #GigEm https://t.co/eab7fEHMxM
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 3, 2016
Needing to score on fourth-and-goal, Rosen was faced with great pressure from the Texas A&M pass rush and threw up a jump ball over the middle. Evans - who you may remember as the guy who popped his knee back in place 10 minutes prior - knocked it away to give the Aggies the improbable win.
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