UCLA vs. Hawaii score, takeaways: Bruins overcome halftime deficit to win on last-minute field goal

UCLA trailed 10-0 at halftime but rallied behind a stout defense and inspiring play from quarterback Ethan Garbers

UCLA overcame a double-digit halftime deficit to hold off Hawaii 16-13 in its first game as a member of the Big Ten. The Bruins trailed 10-0 at the break, and big plays from quarterback Ethan Garbers, wide receiver Rico Flores Jr., and kicker Mateen Bhaghani was the difference.

Bhaghani drilled a 32-yard field goal with 56 second left, and the Bruins got a stop on the ensuing drive to seal the win. Bhaghani made all three of his field goal attempts in the second half.

Hawaii was playing its second game of the season after opening with a blowout win over Delaware State. Rainbow Warriors quarterback Brayden Schager was limited by a stout UCLA defense in the second half, while Garbers shined after the intermission.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 11:10 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UCLA rallies for comeback win 

FINAL: UCLA 16, Hawaii 13

Week 1 offered a thrilling finish in The Ahola State between UCLA and Hawaii. After heading into halftime trailing 10-0, UCLA rallied back to take down Hawaii 16-13 in its first game as a member of the Big Ten. Big plays from quarterback Ethan Garbers, wide receiver Rico Flores Jr., and kicker Mateen Bhaghani were the difference. 

Bhaghani drilled a 32-yard field goal with 56 seconds left, and the Bruins got a stop on the ensuing end to seal the win. Bhaghani made all three of his field goal attempts in the second half.

Hawaii was playing its second game of the season after opening with a blowout win over Delaware State. Hawaii quarterback Brayden Schager was limited by a stout UCLA defense in the second half of play, while Garbers shined after the intermission. Garbers finished 19-of-38 for 272 yards and a touchdown.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 11:27 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Flores provides a spark

Notre Dame transfer Rico Flores Jr. was among the marquee transfer portal additions to the UCLA roster this offseason, and it didn't take long for him to make his presence known. Flores caught three passes for a team-high 102 yards and hauled in UCLA's first (and only) touchdown of the night. Flores played a significant role as a true freshman at Notre Dame, and the Sacramento, California native transferred to be closer to home.

If tonight is any indication, Flores could become Garbers' go-to target in the passing game. The Bruins have a tough upcoming schedule against Indiana, LSU, Oregon, and Penn State, and it wouldn't be surprising if Flores is called upon again for a spark.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 11:22 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Missed opportunity for Hawaii

Hawaii looked like the better football team during the first 30 minutes and it appeared the Rainbow Warriors were on their way to the biggest win of the Timmy Chang era. In the end, penalties stunted their upset hopes more than anything. Hawaii was called for 10 flags (for 96 total penalty yards) and a handful were in key spots that either extended a UCLA drive or pushed Hawaii further back.

Hawaii faced three power conference opponents last season (Vanderbilt, Stanford and Oregon.) The Rainbow Warriors went 0-3 in those games and won't face another Power Four team this season. This will go down as a missed opportunity.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 11:17 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

The Foster era is off to a solid start

For all the talk this offseason about UCLA coach DeShaun Foster and his press conference at Big Ten Media Days, there is one thing we learned for certain after this game: Foster and his staff know how to make adjustments.

UCLA looked sluggish in the first half of play. They couldn't move the ball on the ground, Garbers struggled to push the ball downfield and UCLA's defense didn't look like the unit that finished as one of the best in the country last season.

The final 30 minutes were a completely different story. UCLA got pressure on Hawaii, created explosive plays in the passing game and found the run game they couldn't figure out in the first half. For as daunting as UCLA's schedule looks from a competition and travel standpoint, this game was essentially one they had to have. The adjustments are the reason why UCLA is leaving Hawaii 1-0.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 11:06 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UCLA has the lead!

Late 4Q: UCLA 16, Hawaii 13

With 56 seconds remaining, Bhaghani drilled a 32-yard field goal to give UCLA its first lead of the game. Hawaii will have to work some magic with zero timeouts to extend this game.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 10:58 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UCLA has a chance to win it

Late 4Q: Hawaii 13, UCLA 13

UCLA forced a punt, and will take over at its own 41-yard line with 3:02 left. The Bruins will have to gain about 35 yards to be in comfortable field goal range for their kicker. 

[Aug 31, 2024 at 10:47 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UCLA forced to punt

Late 4Q: Hawaii 13, UCLA 13

With 5:51 remaining in regulation, UCLA is forced to punt despite reaching Hawaii territory. Garbers connected with Sturdivant for a big gain, but the Bruins offense couldn't muster anything else after that. Hawaii will take over at its own 9-yard line.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 10:38 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UCLA gets a stop

Early 4Q: Hawaii 13, UCLA 13

UCLA will have a chance to take its first lead of the night when they get the ball back after the TV timeout. Hawaii drove to midfield, but a delay of game penalty on third-and-long backed Hawaii up even further and forced them to punt. UCLA has all the momentum with just over nine minutes left.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 10:28 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Tie game

Early 4Q: Hawaii 13, UCLA 13

UCLA wasn't able to (fully) capitalize on the interception, but nonetheless, we are tied for the first time since the early stages of the first quarter. The Bruins trailed 10-0 on the break, but have used their defense and explosive plays on offense to get back into this one. Mateen Bhaghani's 37-yard field goal capped the 5-play, 16-yard drive.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 10:21 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Hawaii leads heading into the fourth, but UCLA is driving

END 3Q: Hawaii 13, UCLA 10

We have played three quarters in The Ahola State, and the final 15 minutes of action should be thrilling. Hawaii took a 10-0 lead into the break, but UCLA showed signs of life in the third quarter to get back into this one. Rico Flores Jr. has been massive for UCLA, as the Notre Dame transfer has a game-high 92 yards receiving. UCLA forced a turnover in the final minute of the period when D.J. Justice intercepted Schager to give the Bruins favorable field position.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 10:15 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Flores makes another big catch for UCLA

Late 3Q: Hawaii 13, UCLA 10

Flores may only have two catches on the day, but the Notre Dame transfer has made them count. Flores caught a 39-yard touchdown pass to put the Bruins on the board and hauled in a 53-yard reception to extend the drive. UCLA settled for a field goal after Garbers couldn't get in the end zone on a quarterback scramble. 

[Aug 31, 2024 at 10:07 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

More points for Hawaii 

Late 3Q: Hawaii 13, UCLA 7

After UCLA drove down the length of the field and scored its first points of the day, Hawaii responded with a 10-play, 64-yard drive. Kansei Matsuzawa drilled a 28-yard field goal to extend Hawaii's lead. On the previous play, Schager was looking for Ashlock in the end zone, but he overthrew his star receiver.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 9:55 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UCLA gets on the board

Early 3Q: Hawaii 10, UCLA 7

UCLA just put together its best offensive drive of the day. Garbers capped the 8-play, 96-yard drive with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Notre Dame transfer wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. On the previous play, Garbers targeted Flores deep down the middle, resulting in defensive pass interference. 

That play could be the exact spark the Bruins needed.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 9:44 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UCLA gets a stop to open the half

Early 3Q: Hawaii 10, UCLA 0

UCLA coach Deshaun Foster told the CBS Sports broadcast at halftime that the Bruins would commit to the run in the second half. We will potentially see that in action momentarily after the Bruins forced a three-and-out on their first defensive series. UCLA sacked Schager on third-and-long to force a punt.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 9:23 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Hawaii in control at halftime

HALF: Hawaii 10, UCLA 0

From Hawaii's perspective, you couldn't have drawn up a better start. The Rainbow Warriors have looked like the better team on both sides of the football and will take a double-digit lead into the locker room. Hawaii outgained UCLA 178-94 in the opening 30 minutes and, outside of committing eight penalties (for 76 yards), has completely dominated this football game.

So, what has gone wrong from UCLA's perspective? Garbers hasn't looked sharp, and Hawaii is stacking the box and daring the Bruins to air the football out. On UCLA's last possession of the first half, Garbers panicked and threw a ball up for grabs which was intercepted by Hawaii LB Logan Taylor deep in UCLA territory. Hawaii settled for a short field goal to extend its lead heading into the locker room.

UCLA will need to generate offense on the ground in the second half to have a chance. This is UCLA's first game as a member of the Big Ten and the first game for new coach DeShaun Foster, who replaced Chip Kelly after he left to take the vacant OC job at Ohio State.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 9:01 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Hawaii keeps committing penalties

Late 2Q: Hawaii 7, UCLA 0

Hawaii just picked up its seventh penalty of the game (that has resulted in 66 yards for UCLA) after a roughing the passer penalty was called after the Bruins failed to convert on third-and-short. Hawaii has been in control most of this half, but they need to clean up the penalties if they want to pull off the upset.

The 2-minute warning is approaching.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 8:51 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UCLA can't capitalize

MID 2Q: Hawaii 7, UCLA 0

UCLA originally lined up to go for it on fourth-and-4 before taking a timeout and rethinking the decision entirely. Instead, UCLA kicker Blake Glessner missed a 52-yard field goal wide right, and Hawaii will take over at its own 34-yard line. Garbers has completed only 5 of his 14 attempts and the Bruins have only six rushing attempts through the first 22 minutes of the game.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 8:41 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UCLA gets a stop

Early 2Q: Hawaii 7, UCLA 0

Maybe this will be the spark UCLA needs to get into this game. Hawaii went for it on fourth-and-short, and UCLA LB Oluwafemi Oladejo came up with a huge tackle for a loss to force a turnover on downs. The Bruins will get the ball back at their own 39-yard line.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 8:33 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UCLA punting, again 

Early 2Q: Hawaii 7, UCLA 0

UCLA will punt for the third consecutive possession to open this game after Garbers couldn't connect with Matavao on third-and-20. The Bruins have been pass-heavy due to Hawai'i stacking the box at the line of scrimmage. Garbers has completed only 3 of his 11 attempts, and UCLA has only run the ball four times for 24 yards. We will see if UCLA adjusts and runs the ball anyway if Hawai'i continues to stack the box. From Hawaii's standpoint, this is a dream start.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 8:26 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Hawaii in control early

END 1Q: Hawaii 7, UCLA 0

The Rainbow Warriors are playing in one of their biggest home games in quite some time and despite entering as a double-digit underdog, they have looked like the better team through the first 15 minutes of action. Hawaii quarterback  Brayden Schager has looked efficient against a stout UCLA defense that routinely disrupted passers last season. 

Schager completed all six of his attempts on Hawaii's opening drive capped by a 19-yard touchdown pass to Ashlock. Hawaii's defense forced a punt on its first series and a turnover on the following possession after UCLA drove deep into the red zone. 

Garbers didn't look great during UCLA's first two series and completed only three of his eight attempts for 33 yards and an interception. Garbers was UCLA's QB1 to start the 2023 campaign before he was ultimately replaced by five-star true freshman Dante Moore (now at Oregon). Garbers had a great finish to his season in a win over Boise State in the LA Bowl, but it's clear that Hawaii isn't making things easy on the veteran signal-caller.

UCLA will open the second quarter with the ball at its own 20 after a 17-yard completion from Garbers to J. Michael Sturdivant was negated by a personal foul penalty.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 8:11 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Hawai'i comes away with a takeaway

Late 1Q: Hawai'i 7, UCLA 0

Hawai'i's defense has come to play. On third-and-five, Hawai'i LB Jalen Smith intercepted a pass in the end zone that was intended for T.J. Harden. Before the turnover, UCLA was marching down the field thanks to a handful of penalties committed by Hawai'i. The highlight of the opening drive for the Bruins came when Garbers connected with Carter Shaw, the son of former Stanford coach David Shaw, for a 27-yard gain.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 7:57 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Great start for Hawai'i

Early 1Q: Hawai'i 7, UCLA 0

Hawai'i just completed a 9-play, 73-yard drive, highlighted by a fake punt deep in its own territory and that was capped with a 19-yard touchdown strike from Schager to Pofele Ashlock. The Rainbow Warriors had a dropback percentage of 70.5% last season, which ranked No. 1 among all FBS teams. It appears the game plan to beat the Bruins is to air it out. Schager completed all six of his passes for 51 yards on that drive.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 7:53 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Fake punt alert!

Hawai'i came into this game as a double-digit underdog, and on its first series of the game, brought out some trickery to keep the chains moving. Hawai'i punter Lucas Borrow gained 19 yards on the punt fake, and the Rainbow Warriors will have the ball inside UCLA territory.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 7:49 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UCLA gets stopped on opening drive

The Bruins will punt on their first drive of the season after Hawai'i forced an incompletion on third-and-5. Garbers was looking for his tight end Moliki Matavao, but it appeared he slipped on his break. Garbers had a nice run for an 11-yard gain.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 7:44 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UCLA gets the ball first

Hawai'i has won the toss and deferred to the second half. UCLA will get the ball first.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 7:36 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Opening kick coming soon

We are less than 10 minutes away from UCLA starting a new era as a member of the Big Ten. The Bruins will be starting veteran Ethan Garbers at quarterback, while Brayden Schager will be getting the nod for the Rainbow Warriors. A name to keep an eye on today is UCLA WR Rico Flores Jr., who transferred into the program after putting up solid numbers as a true freshman at Notre Dame. He's listed as UCLA's starting "Zebra" WR.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 7:00 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Hawai'i needs to be versatile to pull off the upset

Hawai'i's offense was strictly one-dimensional last season. The Rainbow Warriors had a dropback percentage of 70.5%, which ranked No. 1 among all FBS teams. In the season-opener against Delaware State, Hawai'i did show signs of a commitment to marry the run game with the passing game with a 37/27 pass-to-run split. With UCLA's defensive line being so dominant last season, Hawai'i isn't going to be able to rely strictly on big plays through the air to pull off the upset as a double-digit underdog. Establishing the run early against a stout UCLA front could set the tone and make the difference.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 6:30 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Frequent flyers

There won't be a Power Four program that travels as much as UCLA will this season, so it's fitting the first game of the season is a 2,500-mile plane trip. The Bruins will travel over 22,000 miles and cross 26 time zones this season, which ranks first among all Big Ten teams. This will be UCLA's fifth all-time matchup with Hawai'i and the program's first trip to The Aloha State since 1938. With road trips on the horizon to Rutgers, LSU and Penn State, this will be a big test of how UCLA fares playing in a different time zone.

[Aug 31, 2024 at 6:00 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

UCLA vs. Hawai'i pick, prediction

Although Hawai'i did come away with a 21-point win (as a 39.5-point favorite) last weekend, there were moments where they looked vulnerable. UCLA has won three consecutive season openers, and this is the perfect storm to make a statement because of the opponent and the fact that Foster will be coaching in his first game as the head man of his alma mater to make a statement. UCLA's magic number is 25, as they went 8-0 in 2023 when hitting that point total. Pick: UCLA -14

[Aug 31, 2024 at 5:30 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

DeShaun Foster era begins in new-look Big Ten 

The Big Ten swelled to unprecedented membership this summer with the additions of Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington to become the largest conference in college athletics. The Bruins were tabbed to finish 15th — and last among all four Pac-12 newcomers — in the preseason Big Ten media poll due to the departure of multiple starters and a brand new coach leading the program. UCLA's bread and butter was its defensive line last season, and that group ranked near the top of the FBS in total sacks. That style of play and having a defensive-minded coach like Foster leading the program should fit in perfectly in the Big Ten.