Thompson—Robinson Leads UCLA to 45–17 Win Over Bowling Green

UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet, center, tries to avoid a tackle by Bowling Green safety Patrick Day, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif. Sept. 3, 2022. Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo

PASADENA, Calif.—Dorian Thompson-Robinson accounted for 385 yards of total offense and four scores, Zach Charbonnet ran for 111 yards and a touchdown, and UCLA rallied for a 45–17 victory over Bowling Green on Sept. 3 in the season opener for both teams.

The Bruins trailed 17–7 early in the second quarter before scoring 38 straight points to win their opener for the second straight year.

Thompson-Robinson completed 32 of 43 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns along with rushing for 87 yards and two scores.

The fifth-year senior supplied an early highlight with a career-long 68-yard TD run during the first quarter to tie the game at seven.

UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Bowling Green in Pasadena, Calif., on Sept. 3, 2022. Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo

Bowling Green brought a nickel blitz on third-and-3, but the fifth-year senior escaped pressure from Davon Ferguson in the backfield, scrambled right, went down the sideline and then cut across the field, including escaping another diving tackle attempt from a Falcons defender at the BG 34, before going into the end zone.

Charbonnet posted his eighth 100-yard rushing game since transferring from Michigan last year.

The Bruins rushed for 264 yards, improving to 16–4 when that has happened since Chip Kelly became coach in 2018.

UCLA scored 17 straight points in the second quarter to take a 24–17 lead at halftime. Keegan Jones supplied the go-ahead score when he caught a screen pass from Thompson-Robinson and went 52 yards up the left sideline.

Not A Fun Homecoming

Bowling Green quarterback Matt McDonald, who grew up in Newport Beach, was 17 of 34 for 125 yards. He did give the Falcons a fleeting 17–7 advantage early in the second quarter with a 22-yard touchdown pass to tight end Christian Sims.

Bowling Green quarterback Matt McDonald returns to SoCal, throws pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCLA in Pasadena, Calif., on Sept. 3, 2022. Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo

Special Start

Bowling Green got its first 10 points courtesy of its special teams coming up with big plays. After UCLA went three-and-out on its opening drive, Falcons’ running back PaSean Wimberly blocked Nicholas Barr-Mira’s punt at the UCLA 11.

Charles Rosser picked up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown to give BG a 7–0 advantage 74 seconds into the game.

It was the first time since 2014 the Falcons have returned a blocked punt for a touchdown,

Later in the first quarter, Patrick Day recovered a muffed punt by UCLA’s Jake Bobo at the 11. Four plays later, Mason Lawler made a 24-yard field goal to put the Falcons up 10–7.

Record Low

The late-morning start and 100 degrees at kickoff, drew an announced crowd of 27,143, the lowest for a UCLA game since the Bruins moved to the Rose Bowl in 1982. The previous low was 32,513 against Oregon State in 1992.

Another factor for the low crowd was students don’t report to UCLA’s campus until later this month.

The Takeaway

Bowling Green: The Falcons were hoping to upset a Power Five team on the road for the second straight year, but were held to 37 yards rushing and averaged only 2.7 yards per offensive play.

UCLA: Kelly will not be pleased with the Bruins’ special teams play. Barr-Mira was 1 of 3 on field goals and missed a chip-shot attempt in the second half.

Up Next

Bowling Green hosts Eastern Kentucky next Saturday.

UCLA hosts Alabama State next Saturday.

By Joe Reedy