(Jack Dempsey / Associated Press)
Karl Dorrell’s coaching debut at his alma mater gave Bruins fans a taste of what was to come: conservative offense, untimely mistakes and disappointment. Quarterback Matt Moore was knocked out of the game with a knee injury late in the first quarter, giving way to Drew Olson.
Justin Medlock missed a 35-yard field goal in the third quarter, a pivotal play in a tight game.
Finally, UCLA’s defense couldn’t make the plays it needed while holding a 14-10 lead with five minutes left in the game. Colorado quarterback Joel Klatt drove his team 63 yards in less than three minutes during a drive that ended with a six-yard touchdown pass to Joe Klopfenstein.
Dorrell’s offense could not muster a counter over the final 2 minutes 15 seconds, with Olson’s final four passes falling incomplete.
Dorrell would compile a 35-27 record at UCLA, good enough for Colorado to hire him before the 2020 season. That stint didn’t go nearly as well, Dorrell going 8-15 with the Buffaloes from 2020-22.