2008 Week 9

Berkely, California - Kai Forbath kicked a 52 yard field goal as time expired that hit the crossbar and bounced in to give UCLA a 41-38 victory over the California Golden Bears. Let's fast forward to the fourth quarter which started in a 24-24 tie. UCLA scored twice which seemingly put the game out of reach. With under two minutes left, while driving with the ball, the Golden Bears had other plans. Nate Longshore hit Cunningham in the corner of the end zone over the outstretched hands of UCLA FS Aaron Ware to cut the lead to 7 with 0:58 seconds left. All the Bears needed now was to retrieve an onside kick to keep their chances alive: well, they did. With the ball and 58 seconds on the clock they marched down into the end zone. Looking to strike again Reggie Carter tackled a Bear receiver on the 5 yard line and the ball pops out! The football was scooped up by Bruin MLB John Hale and UCLA seemed to have locked up the victory. Not so fast. A holding penalty was called on the Bruins which somehow gave Cal the ball back. The punched in another touchdown from 3 yards out with 34 seconds left to tie the game 38-38.

The Bruins did not want to go into OT vs. the pesky Bears and had 34 seconds and 3 timeouts to work with. They completed a few quick passes to get to the Bears 36 yard line. On first down and 11 seconds left Terrence Austin broke away from his receiver on what looked like a sure TD to win the game. Ben Olson threw a perfect pass that bounced off Austin's hands with 6 seconds left. The Bruins decided to run one final play before attempted the field goal. The ran a dive up the middle to get a few extra yards for Forbath: they only got 1. That 1 yards proved to be the difference as Kai Forbath, while iced, drilled the football exactly 52 yards. The football bounced off the crossbar and through to win the game. UCLA 41-38.

UCLA is having a season for the ages but their schedule is certainly not a cakewalk. They face an underachieving Oregon State team in two weeks and then travel to Washington to play Jake Locker and the Huskies. They then finish up the season by playing at perennial power ASU and then host USC in the biggest game of the season. Both USC and UCLA could be looking to lock up BCS bids and the PAC 10 crown could be on the line in that game. Things are shaping up to be an unforgettable rivalry game.