Bruins Sophomore Propells UCLA Football to Victory

Hardly anything went right for the UCLA football offense. The running backs looked anemic behind a porous offensive line. Ethan Garbers was off more than he was on, going 19 for 38 for a touchdown and two very very bad interceptions.

But a win is a win, as they say, and there was one player who put together the only clean game among the lot. True sophomore Notre Dame transfer wide receiver, Rico Flores should be given the game ball for his three reception, and 120-yard , with a touchdown performance.

Rico Flores Leads The Way To Victory for UCLA Football

His first catch of the game may be his most impactful, but each was significant in getting UCLA football back into the game and securing their win.

On their first offensive possession of the second half, Garbers targeted Flores deep down the middle of the field. He didn’t make the catch, but he did draw a pass interference penalty which moved the ball from the UCLA 46 to the Hawai’i 39. On the next play, Garbers connected with Flores for the only UCLA touchdown of the day.

On UCLA football’s next possession, they found their backs against the wall and Flores was there to get them out of the sticky 3rd and 12. Not only did his 53-yard catch and run move the sticks, but it set up a 22-yard field goal.

His final catch of the day showed off Flores’ versatility. While his first two catches were deep strikes, this one was a short two-yard pass that he was able to tack on eight more to pick up the first down. The result of that drive was another field goal.

Flores played a hand in 13 of the 16 points scored by UCLA football and represented 37.5 percent of all passing yards.

More must-reads:

• Hawai’i Penalties Nearly Outperforms UCLA Bruins Offense in 1st Half
• Can UCLA Football’s Top 5 Players Make The NFL?