USC-UCLA football: Bruins defeat Trojans 38-28 in battle of L.A.

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PASADENA ? A dance party erupted in the UCLA locker room, one filled with primal screams and sprayed Sprite streams.

The team rule, as it has been all season, allots 24 hours for celebration.

Coming off their biggest win in years, the No. 17 Bruins were going to use each and every one of them.

That 38-28 shellacking of No. 21 USC?

The

UCLA's Brett Hundley celebrates scoring a touchdown in the first quarter during their game against USC at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena Saturday, November 17 2012. (Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer)

first rivalry win since 2006, second since 1998. In exorcising those tired demons, UCLA clinched the Pacific-12 Conference South Division title.

It set up a shot at going to the Rose Bowl.

"I've never had this feeling before," Bruins tight end Joseph Fauria said. "I'm kind of coming off the walls a little bit. I'm controlling myself now, but once you guys are gone I'm gonna go crazy."

The Bruins (9-2, 6-2 Pac-12) seized control from the start, outgaining USC (7-4, 5-4) in the first quarter 137 yards to 63. Behind a superlative performance by redshirt freshman Brett Hundley, UCLA scored the first 24 points of the game. It was the Bruins' biggest lead in the Los Angeles rivalry since 1986.

Hundley, who spent much of the game escaping pressure and making third- and fourth-down completions, announced himself as the best quarterback in the city ? and maybe the conference.

He finished 22 for 30 with 234 yards and a touchdown.

"He doesn't look like a freshman," Fauria said. "He's so poised. He's a leader. ... I knew in his eyes. I look in his eyes every series. I can tell. He has the eyes of a leader, eyes of a winner."

Tailback Johnathan Franklin had 171 yards on 29 carries to go

UCLA's Joseph Fauria #8 celebrates his touchdown reception with Darius Bell #3 during their game against USC at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena Saturday, November 17 2012. (Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer)

with two touchdowns.

Matt Barkley, whose NFL stock has gradually dipped all year long, entered the game trying to become the first Trojan to beat UCLA four times as a starting quarterback.

He responded with what will likely be remembered as the worst game of his USC career. On his first snap, he threw an interception to Aaron Hester, the UCLA cornerback who had yet to record one all season.

"I was really proud of those guys," head coach Jim Mora said of the secondary. "They're much-maligned. ... I'm just happy for all the seniors."

USC clawed back in the middle of the game, helped somewhat by the weather.

For the first time since 1961, rain fell on the Los Angeles rivalry game.

The effects showed.

UCLA's Brett Hundley celebrates scoring a touchdown in the first quarter during their game against USC at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena Saturday, November 17 2012. (Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer)

UCLA fumbled on its first drive of the second half. A bad snap led to a mishandled handoff to Franklin, which then led to the ball bouncing back into the end zone. USC linebacker George Uko finally ended up jumping on it for six points.

The fumble was credited as a team loss of 20 yards. Andre Heidari's extra point failed, one of a series of special teams blunders by USC.

Marqise Lee, who returned eight kicks for 251 yards against Oregon two weeks ago, was a non-factor on special teams. UCLA punter Jeff Locke, a Ray Guy Award semifinalist, kicked the ball off six times for six touchbacks.

Lee, arguably one of college football's most dangerous players, never had a chance.

Barkley gave the Trojans one last gasp with a 14-yard strike to Lee with just more than seven minutes left. Robert Woods then converted two points with a nice grab in the back of the end zone. USC was down just three points.

A few minutes later, Franklin's 29-yard touchdown run put UCLA up by two possessions.

The final insult came with 2:17 left. Linebacker Anthony Barr threw down Barkley with a monstrous sack, leaving the quarterback on the ground for a few minutes before exiting the game.

Barkley walked to the sideline without assistance.

His arm in a sling after the game, Barkley finished 20-of-38 passing with 301 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

"Obviously, we're extremely disappointed in the season," Trojans head coach Lane Kiffin said. "We're too talented to have this many losses, and that falls on me."

The game was sealed at 1:41 when Sheldon Price blocked USC's 38-yard field goal attempt, sending the Bruins racing down the field in celebration.

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Source: http://www.whittierdailynews.com/ci_22018316/usc-ucla-football-bruins-defeat-trojans-38-28?source=rss_viewed

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