WATCH: UCLA snags rare Caleb Williams interception, goes up two scores on USC early
The Battle for L.A. was decidely in favor of UCLA in the first quarter Saturday evening at the Rose Bowl.
UCLA picked off USC quarterback Caleb Williams for just the third time all season, then turned around and scored the first points off turnovers USC has allowed all year to go up 14-0 in the first quarter. Kain Medrano was in the right place at the right time as Williams threw a laser right at him.
INT!!!!!! 👀@UCLAFootball is HOTTTT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XyGGaF6KiS
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 20, 2022
And then quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson connected with a wide-open Michael Ezeike on the very next play for 30 yards and a score to go up 14-0.
ANOTHA ONE! 🔥@UCLAFootball makes it a 2 score game! pic.twitter.com/dJu1YNlYYG
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 20, 2022
Williams entered Saturday’s contest with 31 passing touchdowns and only two interceptions on the year. A big piece of his Heisman candidacy was the fact he’s been incredibly productive with the football in his hands all while being safe.
With two of the country’s very best offenses getting together, many pointed to ball security as a potentially decisive force in Saturday’s contest. USC blinked first.