Published
4 years agoon
STANFORD — Dorian Thompson-Robinson wasn’t sure he was going to start Thursday’s game until just before game time. It turned out to be the best decision of the night.
Thompson-Robinson, using the bye week to help his recovery from a leg injury that caused him to miss a game, passed for two touchdowns and ran for another in helping UCLA end an 11-year drought against Stanford with a 34-16 victory over the Cardinal.
“I’m always preparing to be the guy and this week happened to be the game,” West said. “It’s me making my first start but at the end of the day, it’s about execution, which is what we didn’t have.”
The Bruins (2-5, 2-2 Pac-12) scored touchdowns on their first two possessions, both passes to Phillips, to open a 14-3 lead with 4:48 remaining to play. It was UCLA’s first lead of more than seven points this season.
“I’ve seen that since the Washington State game,” UCLA coach Chip Kelly said. “Dorian kept drives alive with his legs. He takes what the defense gives him.”
Stanford (3-4, 2-3) took the opening kickoff and drove 51 yards before Jet Toner connected on a 42-yard field goal. Toner suffered an apparent right knee injury on the ensuing kickoff and did not return. Punter Ryan Sanborn took over the kicking duties.
Thompson-Robinson was UCLA’s leading rusher in the first quarter, helped by a 39-yard scramble that led to the Bruins second score.
The Cardinal, meanwhile, lost 8 yards combined on their next three possessions as West was sacked on three consecutive third downs.
“It starts with good coverage and a good pass rush,” Kelly said. “We did a good job of creating pressure on the quarterback. It’s not often you can hold Stanford under 200 yards.”
Chip Kelly made it a point to downplay the 11-game losing streak to Stanford. Thompson-Robinson said he didn’t know about it until after the game. Phillips said he was aware, but nonchalant about it.
“I knew about it, but this is a different team than the ones who lost those games,” Phillips said. “We didn’t care that much.”
Said Kelly: “Even when you lose a game you can have success. That’s part of the learning process. You can have positive momentum all the time.”
UCLA: Any win is good, especially one that ends a long losing streak. It’s the fifth win of Chip Kelly’s 18-game reign in Pasadena. The much-maligned defense (allowing an average of 431 yards) played well enough to raise the team’s hopes with a handful of winnable games coming up. Thompson-Robinson was clearly the best athlete on the field.
Stanford: Down to its third quarterback, the Cardinal simply could not produce enough offense in an offensive-minded conference. Injuries along the offensive line have taken their toll, with junior center Drew Dalman the only lineman to make every start. Unless one of the other quarterbacks can return, Stanford may very well miss a bowl game for the first time in 11 years.
UCLA: Hosts No. 17 Arizona State on Oct. 26.
Stanford: Hosts Arizona on Oct. 26.
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