The Kansas State Wildcats defeated the UCLA Bruins 35-17 in the Cactus Bowl. Here are three takeaways from the win.
Without Josh Rosen, the UCLA offense was expected to take a step back. In the first half, it seemed as if the Bruins did not need Rosen to put some points on the board. Dylan Modster, who started the Cactus Bowl against Kansas State in place of Rosen, really lit it up. He threw two first half touchdowns to Jordan Lasley and Theo Howard, and UCLA had all the momentum going into the locker room.
When the second half started, it was as if two completely different teams came out of the locker rooms. Kansas State completely shut down the Bruins offense, as they forced a fumble on Bolu Olorunfunmi, and after that, UCLA really could not get back on track. Kansas State, the second half, could not be stopped. Alex Delton, who came into replace Skylar Thompson, was on fire.
With the Kansas State victory in the Cactus Bowl, here are three takeaways from the game.
1. A tale of two halves for the UCLA Bruins
When the game started, Rosen was not expected to play. When the first half ended, it was as if they did not need him. Dylan Modster, who replaced Rosen, had the offense rolling. With two touchdowns to Theo Howard and Theo Howard, it was as if the Bruins were well on their way to a victory. Yet, when they came out of the tunnel, it was as if they left all their fire in the locker room.
Kansas State just took the heart of the Bruins as Alex Delton just lit up the UCLA defense. The Wildcats outscored the Bruins 28-0 in the second half. When the Wildcats defense ripped the ball out of Olorunfunmi’s hands, it seemed as if they ripped the game from their opponents’ grasp. Kansas State took the lead and never gave it back. A season theme for the Bruins was not being able to put an entire game together, and tonight in the Cactus Bowl, that theme definitely came back into play.
2. Alex Delton came out of nowhere
When the game started, Skylar Thompson was the starting quarterback. After Thompson was knocked out of the game with an ankle injury, third string quarterback Alex Delton was forced into the game. On his first play from scrimmage, he was able to run for a 68-yard touchdown.
Even though he had a long touchdown run in the first half, it just seemed like he would not be able to bring the Wildcats to victory with the Bruins leading at halftime 17-7. When the second half began, it was as if Delton and the Wildcats were a different team. Delton was able to throw for only 52 yards and a touchdown. But his arm was not his most dangerous threat. Delton was running through the Bruin defense as if he literally was on fire. Delton had 158 yards and three total touchdowns.
Thompson’s nickname throughout the season was “The Cardiac Kid.” After watching this game, what is Delton’s nickname going to be, “Mr. Untouchable?”
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3. One play completely shifted the momentum
When the teams came out for the second half, the UCLA Bruins were in front 17-7. Kansas State was able to start the half with a touchdown, but with the way UCLA played in the first half, it was as if they could not be stopped. Yet on their first play in the second half, Kansas State was able to completely rip the momentum from the Bruins, as they were able to strip Bolu Onorunfunmi and turn that fumble into another touchdown.
When the Wildcats scored that second touchdown of the second half, the momentum was on the Wildcats’ side, and it never left. The next three possessions for the Bruins resulted in two turnovers on downs and a punt. When the Bruins fumbled that football, they also fumbled away their chances to take home the Cactus Bowl trophy from the Wildcats.