Dante Moore picked off, Washington State returns it 88 yards to end chaotic first half
Dante Moore has thrown pick-sixes in consecutive games.
Two weeks ago, in a 14-7 loss to Utah, the UCLA quarterback was intercepted on the first play of the day for the Bruins. Utah returned it 21 yards for a score that proved to be the difference. The Bruins went on their bye week last week hoping to find ways to recapture some offensive rhythm for the offense.
Early returns aren’t good.
Moore was intercepted on UCLA’s third play of the game Saturday against the 13th-ranked Washington State Cougars. Then, to end the first half, Moore was picked off by Wazzu’s Kapena Gushiken, who returned the ball 88 yards for a touchdown.
Moore thought he had an easy out route for six Bruin points. Instead, the third-and-goal pass was jumped by Gushiken.
88-yard HOUSE CALL! @kapslockbrah
WATCH | @Pac12Network #GoCougs | #WAZZU | #CVE23 pic.twitter.com/btMzCVaEYg
— Washington State Football (@WSUCougarFB) October 7, 2023
The Cougs went into the break up 10-9, an absolutely wild turn of events.
UCLA’s defense dominated the first half. Washington State had just 114 yards of offense in the game’s first 30 minutes. Quarterback Cameron Ward threw his first interception of the season. The Cougars fumbled it twice more, and they also got punched off the field in three plays on three different occasions.
Eight first-half drives. Three turnovers. Three three-and-outs. The Bruins were able to get serious pressure on Ward and had him looking out of sync in the first half.
And yet the Cougs went into the break with a lead.
UCLA struggled itself on offense. The Bruins allowed three sacks and turned the ball over twice.
Highlights are below:
PICKED OFF! @Lockettlll
WATCH | @Pac12Network #GoCougs | #WAZZU | #CVE23 pic.twitter.com/Eu7oY17MIS
— Washington State Football (@WSUCougarFB) October 7, 2023
REDZONE TURNOVER 🏈
The @laiatu_latu punch pokes it free!
Washington State 3, UCLA 0
4:22 – 1st quarter📺: Pac-12 Networks
📲: https://t.co/v42BPkE478#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/hfu4Wz3Jhm— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) October 7, 2023
Defense making plays early 💪
📺: Pac-12 Networks
📲: https://t.co/v42BPkE478#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/MV2Ce1itER— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) October 7, 2023
Dante Moore ➡️ Logan Loya for SIX 🙌
📺: Pac-12 Networks
📲: https://t.co/v42BPkE478#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/Y4KFnvgsN2— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) October 7, 2023
3rd sack of the day! @Lockettlll x @BrennanJ88
WATCH | @Pac12Network #GoCougs | #WAZZU | #CVE23 pic.twitter.com/8DvLcK9zgp
— Washington State Football (@WSUCougarFB) October 7, 2023
TURNOVER NO. 3️⃣‼️
UCLA 6, Washington State 3
5:05 – 2nd quarter📺: Pac-12 Networks
📲: https://t.co/v42BPkE478#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/cXUtVn6nGb— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) October 7, 2023