UCLA’s suffocating defense stifles Arizona Wildcats: By the Numbers

The Arizona Wildcats scored on their first possession of the game.

They likely would’ve taken more time to savor the moment had they known it would be their only score of the night.

In what was arguably UA’s finest defensive performance of the season, the Wildcats’ offense couldn’t get much going in Pasadena, California on Saturday night, falling 17-7 to the UCLA Bruins and their suffocating defense.

With the loss, the Wildcats dropped to 6-2 on the season, but more importantly, 3-2 in Pac-12 play. The Bruins (7-2, 4-2) leapfrogged UA in the Pac-12 South standings.

Here’s how the Wildcats’ conference title hopes took a major blow in Pasadena, by the numbers:

2

Arizona kicker Casey Skowron had another forgettable night. After missing three field goals, including a potential last-second game-winner, last month against USC, Skowron missed from 39 and 26 yards Saturday. His second attempt was blocked in the final minutes, sealing UCLA’s win.

3

The Bruins have beaten UA in three straight games for the first time since 2002-04. UCLA destroyed Arizona 66-10 in Pasadena two years ago and 31-26 in Tucson last season.

8

With his first-quarter touchdown reception Saturday, sophomore wide receiver Cayleb Jones scored in his fifth game of the season. The Texas transfer has 716 receiving yards and eight TDs on the season.

15

It wasn’t the 15-yard second-quarter penalty for a helmet-to-helmet hit by UA senior safety Jourdon Grandon that hurt the most; it was his ejection for targeting that seriously stung. The Wildcats missed him in the secondary for the rest of the evening.

19

UA Sophomore linebacker Scooby Wright was his usual brilliant self. The reigning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week recorded a ridiculous 19 tackles, including three sacks and 4.5 tackles for a loss.

30

Thanks to some relentless Bruin defense, freshman quarterback Anu Solomon had easily the worst game of his young collegiate career. Solomon threw 30 incompletions Saturday, connecting on just 18-of-48 attempts for 175 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

131

UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley loves playing the Wildcats. The Chandler High School product is now 3-0 vs. UA thanks largely to his game-high 131 rushing yards Saturday. Hundley also completed 19-of-26 passes for 189 yards and a TD.

158

There was plenty of laundry thrown on the Rose Bowl field Saturday night, as the Bruins and Wildcats combined for 15 penalties for 158 yards, including 110 by UCLA. But again, Grandon’s penalty proved costliest of all.