UCLA proves it’s no one-hit wonder with rout of Michigan State

EAST LANSING, MI— A piece of paper greeted everyone UCLA player as he entered his row and took his seat on the team plane.

On it were six words printed in large block letters and a challenge from the interim coach: “ARE YOU A ONE HIT WONDER?”

A week after upsets Pennsylvania– the Bruins responded decisively.

Hell no!

These guys had another triumph. Big.

With an encore that was every bit the success of their high-profile debut under a makeshift coaching staff, UCLA continued its stunning transformation from a winless team to… a Big Ten powerhouse? College Football Playoff contender? Sports comeback story of the year?

There seems to be no limit to what this team can achieve given the continued growth shown on Saturday during victory with a score of 38-13 over Michigan State at Spartan Stadium.

The UCLA offense, led by playcaller Jerry Neuheisel, scored 38 straight points after the Bruins (2-4 overall, 2-1 Big Ten) pinned the Spartans (3-3, 0-3) for an early touchdown.

The Bruins defense, led by de facto defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle, forced a Spartans fumble, stopped the Spartans on all four fourth down attempts and held them to 253 yards of offense.

It was all orchestrated by interim coach Tim Skipper, whose team played with the focus and energy that was clearly lacking under DeShaun Foster. Skipper may now be considered a more attractive candidate for UCLA's coaching vacancy than Michigan State's Jonathan Smith, a Pasadena native who has appeared on many candidate lists.

The Bruins were doing so well that late in the third quarter, UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond approached a Times reporter sitting in the press box to discuss changes he had made to the coaching staff that helped the team recover.

There is no doubt that this is a different team than the lifeless one that lost its first four games.

Once struggling to reach double-digit scoring, UCLA is now attacking. A new star emerged Saturday when running back Jalen Berger threw for three touchdowns and rushed for a season-high 83 yards against his former team, one coming on a run and the other two by catch.

On a rare day when he didn't have to provoke UCLA's attack with his legs, defenseman Niko Yamaleava had almost flawless arm control. He completed 16 of 24 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, rushing just five times for nine yards.

The Bruins' 24-7 halftime lead meant they had scored more points on Neuheisel's calls (66) in a game and a half than they had scored in the previous four games combined (57). Their offensive, disciplined defense forced another turnover and stifled Michigan State after allowing the Spartans to score a touchdown in the opener.

UCLA's special teams also took part in a scene that seemed familiar to those who watched the Bruins play at Northwestern but somehow caught Michigan State off guard. As the Bruins lined up to punt early in the second quarter, Cole Martin took the snap and ran 20 yards for a first down. The play was almost identical to his fake play against the Wildcats two weeks earlier.

UCLA turned the trick into points after Yamaleawa connected with Berger for a three-yard touchdown catch.

After Bruins offensive tackle Devin Aupiu forced a punt by Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles and defensive tackle Siale Taupaki recovered, the Bruins recovered the ball at the Spartans' 32-yard line. Yamaleawa later found wide receiver Titus Moquiao-Atimalala across the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown, extending UCLA's lead to 24-7.

All of the rebounds went in the Bruins' favor except for Mateen Bhagani's field goal attempt, which ricocheted off the left upright late in the second quarter.

UCLA's 24 straight points extended its halftime lead, prompting Michigan State fans to serenade their team with boos as they headed to the locker room for what was planned to be a less celebratory homecoming.

A week after they shocked the college football world by beating Penn State, the big news was the Bruins. Again.