WESTWOOD—Chip Kelly’s offense was not able to find its rhythm in the Bruins’ 38-14 loss to Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday, September 15. UCLA is still looking for their first win of the season.

Fresno State began the game with a long, methodical drive. Quarterback Marcus McMaryion led the Bulldogs down the field. He connected with wide receivers Jamire Jordan, KeeSean Johnson, and Kyle Riddering. McMaryion decided to keep it himself for the TD, as he rushed from one yard out. The Bulldogs would miss the extra point, with the score being 6-0.

Fresno State would force a UCLA punt on the next drive. With the ball back, the Bulldogs were looking to add to their lead. McMaryion found tight end Jared Rice for a 37-yard gain. McMaryion would finish the drive with a 10-yard TD pass to Riddering. The score was 13-0.

On the Bruins ensuing drive, Thompson-Robinson would fumble. The Bulldogs would recover and convert a field goal from the UCLA mistake giving them a 16-0 lead.

After McMaryion fumbled on a sack, the Bruins started with the ball on the Fresno State 43 yard line. On 1st and 25, Thomas-Robinson found wide receiver Theo Howard on a 45-yard TD. The score was 16-7 at halftime.

The Bulldogs began the half with a mistake, as WR KeeSean Johnson fumbled the punt return. Johnny Den Bleyker recovered for UCLA at the Fresno State 17 yard line. Running Back Bolu Olorunfunmi capped the drive with a 2-yard TD run. The score was 16-14. Those points would be the last of the game for the Bruins.

A couple of drives later, McMaryion led the Bulldogs down the field again. A 20-yard pass to WR Johnson got the Bulldogs to midfield. Then, a 24-yard pass to WR Johnson got the Bulldogs to the UCLA 21 yard line. McMaryion ran in from 1-yard and the Bulldogs converted for two to make the score 24-16.

On the following UCLA drive, inside linebacker Jeff Allison would intercept Thompson-Robinson off a tipped pass. On the next Bulldogs possession, McMaryion would complete a screen pass to running back Jordan Mims for 45 yards. McMaryion ended the drive with another 1-yard rushing TD to bring the score to 31-16.

McMaryion would go on to score one more rushing TD. The final score of the game was 38-14.

UCLA’s offense must find its rhythm if the Bruins want to compete in games. They will have a chance to get their first win next week, when they play @Colorado in a Pac-12 matchup.

QB Marcus McMaryion (FR) was 22/33 for 270 yards and 1 TD. McMaryion also had 9 carries for 16 yards and 4 TDs. WR KeeSean Johnson (FR) had 8 catches for 85 yards. QB Thompson-Robinson (UCLA) was 10/24 for 151 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs. Thompson-Robinson also had 8 carries for 49 yards. WR Theo Howard (UCLA) had 4 catches for 80 yards and 1 TD.