Josh Rosen, UCLA Erase 34-Point Deficit to Shock Texas A&M 45-44
The Texas A&M Aggies were cruising to a season-opening win Sunday against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl.
Until they weren't.
The Bruins earned a 45-44 victory in one of the wildest college football games in recent memory thanks to a 35-0 run that would seem unrealistic even on the basketball court. Texas A&M led 44-10 with less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter before UCLA scored the final five touchdowns of the contest to shock the SEC's Aggies and start the season with an improbable victory.
UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen was the catalyst, finishing 35-of-58 for 491 yards and four touchdowns.
ESPN Stats & Info put his performance and the comeback into perspective:
A comeback like that deserved a dramatic finish, and the Bruins set up the final touchdown with a fourth-down conversion and fake spike. Rosen then connected with Jordan Lasley for what proved to be the winning score:
It was Rosen's fourth touchdown throw of the final quarter, with the first two going to Darren Andrews and the third going to Theo Howard. Andrews finished with 142 receiving yards and the two scores, while Caleb Wilson led the team with 208 receiving yards.
UCLA's showing had professional athletes reacting as well:
The Aggies' collapse overshadowed an incredible performance from Trayveon Williams, who spearheaded the early dominance with 203 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Texas A&M ran for 382 yards in all, and Fox College Football captured some of the speed propelling the Aggies' primary runner past the Bruins defenders:
However, a UCLA defense that struggled throughout the majority of the contest needed to stand strong during the comeback and give Rosen a chance to do the impossible. That is exactly what happened, as the signal-caller notched what figures to stand as one of the most memorable wins of the entire 2017 season.
The internet had plenty of jokes to make it even more memorable:
Rosen and the Bruins will look to parlay their momentum into another victory in their next contest Saturday against Hawaii. The Aggies will be looking to bounce back quickly after Sunday's devastating loss and will face Nicholls in their home opener Saturday.
