12 for 12:
In spite of Christmas this year, we are going forth with a 12 for 12 series. For each day counting down until Christmas, we will provide you with our list for the best college football games of the last 12 years. This ranges from 2018-2006. Today we start with #12, until we get all the way to #1. Enjoy this and let us know if you agree in the comment section below!
Game Info:
It was the first week of the 2017 college football season where we often see many great non-conference matchups. For the 2017 season, we got to see two mid-tier teams in their respective conferences, SEC and PAC-12, battle it out for dominance. The Bruins of UCLA where set to host the Aggies of Texas A&M. Both teams were coming off of a year they wish they could’ve done better and got a chance to start off strong.
The game was scheduled for 7:30 PM ET on September 3rd, 2017. It was to be also held in the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. This was, of course, where the UCLA Bruins had their home games, as it was a home-and-home series for the two. It was shaping up to be a great game in Southern California, however, no one expected the game we got.
Summary:
The game started off how everyone thought it would: slower. UCLA had lost the toss to Texas A&M and received the ball to start the game. With some great passes down the field from Josh Rosen, the Bruins nestled inside the Texas A&M 12. Ultimately, they were stopped and forced to take the field goal. UCLA-3 TA&M-0.
Nick Starkel took the field, in whom everyone thought would dominant the passing lane for the Aggies, and showed that. Starkel flew down the field with great 3rd-Down throws getting Texas A&M closer and closer to a score. And within a matter of time, Starkel set up a 5 yard run from Keith Ford for the Aggie touchdown. UCLA-3 TA&M-7. On the ensuing drive, UCLA was determined to erase their 4-point deficient. UCLA started up terribly with some bad passing. Then, Rosen was strip-sacked and the Aggies took the ball at the UCLA 24. UCLA then made up for their mistake by holding Texas A&M to a field goal, still keeping them alive. UCLA-3 TA&M-10
UCLA received and were focused to close the touchdown gap. However, on a 5 yard rush by Bolu Olorunfunmi, UCLA once again lost the ball to the Texas A&M defense via fumble. This set the Aggies up for a touchdown run by Trayveon Williams to increase their increasing margin. UCLA-3 TA&M-17. The next three possessions yielded no scoring by either squad, rather a punting showcase for the fans. Then the running backs of the A&M team ran down the field and gained yet another touchdown for the Aggies. UCLA-3 TA&M-24. Things were getting out of hand fast for the Bruins. Another three sets of three-and-outs followed the game, then Texas A&M found another touchdown in their pocket to build their lead. UCLA-3 TA&M-31
During the next possession, the UCLA Bruins were determined to chip into the Aggie lead. With the help of Josh Rosen, the Bruins managed to score before halftime. UCLA-10 TA&M-31. Unfortunately for UCLA, the Aggies punched it in the next possession to bump their lead back to 28. UCLA-10 TA&M-38. We then soon entered halftime with what looked to be a blowout, but no one knew the course this game was to take.
The half opened up much of the same, a Texas A&M punt followed by another UCLA turnover to set the Aggies up for another score. Texas A&M then kicked it out from 32 yard to add 3. UCLA-10 TA&M-41. Then we saw a three-and-out for the Bruins with the Aggies finding a score, yet again. This time Daniel LaCamera made it out from 48 yards. UCLA-10 TA&M-44. Many thought it was over and we saw UCLA fans piling out. Lesson of the story: it is not over until it is over.
I think the Bruins might’ve added something to their Gatorade or something because the team we saw was not the one we watched all game. UCLA had scored 3 touchdowns, unanswered, with Texas A&M getting anxious on if UCLA really could comeback. UCLA-31 TA&M-44. The Aggie fans were feeling reassured the next drive when their kicker came out to kick a 43 yard field goal, which was normal for his range. However, a miss for the Aggies would give true life to UCLA. The Bruins then score twice more with touchdowns, with the last one coming off a fake-snap from Rosen with 0:43 seconds left in the 4th. UCLA-45 TA&M-44. And the once dominant offense from Texas A&M showed tired at the end and were held to 4 plays without result. The UCLA Bruins had came back from a 34-point deficient and won the game.
Key Players:
UCLA:
Josh Rosen, QB (35-59, 491 Passing Yards, 4 TDs)
Rosen had a terrible first half in this game with many mistakes and bad reads. However, the second half, Rosen decided to flip the script and lead his team to victory. Rosen had thrown 4 touchdown passes in the final winning stretch for the Bruins from 9 yards to 42 yards. Rosen now plays for the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League (NFL).
Texas A&M:
Trayveon Williams, RB (22 Carries, 203 Rushing Yards, 9.2 Avg, 2 TDs)
Trayveon Williams was having the game of his life for the Aggies. He had even brought out an Aggie Baton to flash across the sideline after a touchdown run. As much as Williams fought, it was not enough in the end to stop an impending comeback. Although they lost, the Aggies knew they had an absolute stud with Williams in the backfield.
What Happened After?
UCLA: After an impressive comeback, everyone felt that UCLA would be a tough team to battle. However, most of the season, we ended up getting a slightly better version than the first half team. UCLA went 6-7 and lost their bowl game to Kansas State 35-17. They had good wins against Oregon and Arizona State, but couldn’t do anything big.
Texas A&M: Much of the same for Texas A&M with finishing the season 7-6. Like UCLA, Texas A&M lost their bowl game to Wake Forest 55-52. Everyone felt that this incredibly talented roster would learn from their last quarter melt down to UCLA. It looked as if they did with a 4-1 start, but then crumbled to better teams along the way.
Photo Credits:
https://awfulannouncing.com/local-networks/ucla-texas-a-m-radio-josh-lewin-dave-south.html
https://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/09/before-uclas-comeback-texas-ams-trayveon-williams-had-an-incredible-td-celebration
https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/09/04/uclas-game-winning-touchdown-texas-am-review
