Watch: South Alabama's fake FG blunder sparks UCLA comeback win
South Alabama threw away a potential win over UCLA thanks to a questionable decision to attempt a fake field goal late in the fourth quarter.
Up 31-29 with less than three minutes remaining, South Alabama had the opportunity to increase its lead to five with a field-goal try. Instead, the team quickly opted out of its field goal formation to run a trick play, which ended up in disaster as third-string quarterback Tanner McGee was sacked.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING pic.twitter.com/iW05Kcbbr6
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) September 17, 2022
Now needing only a field goal to win, the Bruins took full advantage of the Jaguars' mistake. Dorian Thompson-Robinson orchestrated a 10-play, 61-yard drive to set up a game-winning 24-yard field goal by Nicholas Barr-Mira as time expired.
... 𝙏𝙊 𝙒𝙄𝙉 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙂𝘼𝙈𝙀.
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) September 17, 2022
Take a look at Nicholas Barr-Mira's game-winning 24-yard field goal, as time expired at the Rose Bowl.#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/Ip65bzHKP5
The 32-31 victory moved UCLA to 3-0, while the result marked South Alabama's first loss of the season. The Jaguars found themselves in contention for a surprise upset before the Bruins ripped off nine unanswered points in the fourth quarter.