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The good vibes for UCLA ended on Saturday night thanks to Jake Haener and Fresno State.
The Bruins were 13th in the nation thanks to their big win over LSU a few weeks ago. On their first return to the field since then, the Bruins were nowhere near as sharp and were upset 40-37 at home.
The fourth quarter of this game was incredible.
There were three touchdowns scored in the final 2:55 of the settlement. The winning score came on a 13-yard Haener strike at Jalen Cropper with just 14 seconds left.
It capped a wild finish and iconic performance from Haener, who finished 39 of 53 for 455 yards and two touchdowns.
The Haener-to-Cropper connection also helped Fresno state avoid a brutal collapse.
UCLA is almost done with its epic comeback
Fresno State had a 26-17 lead in the fourth quarter and had a goal-to-go situation. But by then the wheels fell for the Bulldogs. Fresno fumbled for the possessions back to back and UCLA picked them up both, including one in the red zone.
As a result of the fumbles, UCLA was able to turn that 26-17 deficit to a 30-26 lead in about two minutes.
But the annoyed Bulldogs didn’t fade. Haener, Washington’s transfer QB, played game after game and suffered several horrific hits. Finally, on the third and goal of the 19th, Haener delivered a shot through pain to Erik Brooks for a forward touchdown with 2:55 left.
After giving Brooks the clutch kick, Haener writhed in pain on the pitch.
Haener TD’s throw at Brooks gave Fresno State a 33-30 lead, but Fresno’s defense were unable to seal the deal.
UCLA quickly traveled to Fresno State territory and took the lead, 37-33, on a touchdown pass from Dorian Thompson-Robinson to Kyle Phillips with just 54 seconds left.
It looked like UCLA had finished the game, especially with Haener hampered. But Haener designed the drive of a lifetime. He led the Bulldogs by 75 yards in just six plays and 40 seconds to, unlikely, put them back in the lead with just 14 seconds left.
This time it would be the winning score.
Fresno state nearly upset Oregon weeks before, but Haener wouldn’t let the Pac-12’s upset opportunity slip through his fingers.
The Bulldogs improved to 3-1 with the thrilling victory. UCLA fell to 2-1.
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