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The Rose Bowl reverberated with renewed energy after Darnell's electrifying pick-six. For the first time all game, the Bruins' sideline brimmed with life—coaches shouting encouragement, players pounding pads in excitement. UCLA still trailed by two scores, but momentum had finally swung in their favour.
Following the kick-off, Chevan Cordeiro led the Rainbow Warriors back onto the field, determined not to let the Bruins' sudden spark rattle his poise. He wasted no time setting up a quick-tempo drive. A short throw to Calvin Turner. Another to Zion Bowens. A designed QB draw for six yards. Although UCLA's Wolf Pack defensive scheme continued to apply pressure, Cordeiro's composure and quick decision-making kept the chains moving.
On a 3rd & 5 near midfield, Cordeiro zipped a perfectly timed throw to Kolby Wyatt, the big tight end who rumbled for 15 additional yards after contact, shrugging off tacklers. The drive would eventually stall inside the 30, but Hawai'i's kicker punched through a solid field goal to extend the lead.
[6:02, 3rd Quarter – Field Goal, Hawai'i 27 – UCLA 9]
With Maddox still benched, Curtis jogged onto the field, determined to build on the Bruins' newfound energy. He knew that he wouldn't get many of these chances to impress the coaching staff in real matches, so he wanted to make the best out of the opportunity. Coach Baker stuck with the Wolf Pack offensive variation, which consisted of a mix of misdirection running games to keep Hawai'i's defensive team guessing.
They still utilised a hurry-up offence with Curtis pulling off a few good throws that kept the offence moving up the field. On a key 3rd & 8 situation on the opposing 40-yard line, Curtis decided to call an audible on the fly. Reading the Hawaiian defence that took on man-to-man coverage down the sideline, he called for a simple go route, trusting Isaiah's speed to do the trick.
Coach Baker on the sidelines frowned but decided to give his QB the benefit of the doubt since he had been stable so far. "Blue Wolf 23 strike, Set HUT," the line of scrimmage exploded with force as both teams' front 7 fought for space. The Bruins' lines, with the force of enraged grizzlies, pushed forward, managing to hold the line as Curtis dropped back.
The QB's eyes shot forward, looking to his right, where Tyson ran a short slant route he pump-faked a throw his way. His movements caused the Hawaiian left outside linebacker, who had just beaten the Tight end to come to a stop and jump into the air trying to interfere with the throw. The throw never came as Curtis' eyes shot to his left, where Isaiah had just managed to create separation with the cornerback after blitzing past him.
Not hesitating, his left foot shot forward, steadying his stance as his upper body twisted with power-generating torque as he rifled a throw-up field. Curtis's pass sliced through the air, its tight spiral cutting a rainbow-like arch heading for the area in front of Isaiah. The wide receiver in full sprint, stretched out, fingertips brushing the ball in what felt like slow motion before gathering it into his chest. The defensive back stumbled, allowing Isaiah an extra yard of separation as he tore downfield.
Roars from the home crowd thundered across the Rose Bowl. UCLA's offence, lifeless just a quarter earlier, now looked capable of real damage. He continued to run quickly, crossing the 30-yard line, and the 20, until finally being brought down inside Hawai'i's 10-yard line by a free safety. Roars from the home crowd thundered across the Rose Bowl. UCLA's offence, lifeless just a quarter earlier, now sparked to life, giving them an ample dose of hope.
Curtis wasted no time rallying the offence to the line. With first-and-goal inside Hawai'i's 10-yard line, the Bruins deployed the Wolf Pack variation at a breakneck pace. A quick snap saw Trey Sanders plunge ahead for a modest gain on a misdirection handoff, leaving them with second down just outside the end zone.
Coach Baker signalled a run-pass option next, allowing Curtis to exploit any defensive hesitation. At the snap, Hawai'i's linebackers surged forward, anticipating another run. Spotting this, Curtis pulled the ball back and fired a dart to Tyson, running a shallow drag route across the goal line. Tyson lunged across the plane, ball tight to his chest, as the stadium roared in approval.
[2:56, 3rd Quarter – Touchdown, Hawai'i 27 – UCLA 16]
The extra point sailed cleanly between the uprights, cutting the Rainbow Warriors' lead to ten. On the following kick-off, Chevan Cordeiro calmly orchestrated a steady counterattack. A handful of short passes got Hawai'i moving again, but UCLA's Wolf Pack defence—bolstered by the momentum—forced a crucial third-down stop near midfield, leading to a punt.
Hoping to seize the moment before the quarter ended, Curtis and the Bruins tried another hurry-up series. Despite a pair of completions to Isaiah and a slippery 12-yard run by Sanders, they eventually stalled just past the 50-yard line. On fourth and short, Coach Baker elected to punt rather than risk giving Hawai'i a prime field position.
As the final seconds of the quarter slipped away, the scoreboard read: [End of 3rd Quarter – Hawai'i 27 – UCLA 17]
[4th Quarter]
The air crackled with anticipation as the final quarter began. Chevan Cordeiro and the Rainbow Warriors looked poised to eat up more clock, methodically working their way from their own 20-yard line. However, on a 2nd & 6 at UCLA's 35, Cordeiro released a pass intended for Calvin Turner on a quick out.
Darnell Jones, keyed in like a laser, jumped the route with breathtaking timing. He launched himself, twisting in midair for an acrobatic interception at the Bruins' 30-yard line. The stadium erupted, and once again, the entire UCLA sideline sprang to life. Curtis hustled onto the field with confidence surging through his veins.
Staying in the hurry-up offence, he orchestrated a series of quick completions and well-placed handoffs to Trey Sanders, marching the Bruins across midfield. Short outs, slants, and a well-executed draw play to Tyson brought them steadily closer to Hawai'i's red zone. The Wolf Pack scheme thrived under his command, as he entered a state of concentration that allowed him to make the correct call 80% of the time.
But disaster struck on a crucial 2nd & 8 at Hawai'i's 40-yard line. Curtis in the shotgun formation, dropped back to pass, he scanned for an open receiver, locating Isaiah on the hard shoulder of the opposing cornerback. Hesitation crept in as his tight end ran a short curl route and was currently unmarked clearly the safer option, but he had just gotten a taste for glory, and he wanted more.
His indecision was a mistake he couldn't afford, as in the next moment Darius Muasau and a blitzing safety converged on him almost instantly. With nowhere to escape, Curtis tried to tuck the ball and brace for impact. A thunderous collision followed, and he crumpled to the turf. He heard a pop before a sharp pain shot up his left leg, originating from his ankle as he howled in agony.
A collective gasp from the crowd sucked the oxygen from the stadium. The sharp whistle ensued from the referees, who motioned for the Bruins' medical staff to take the field. The two defenders couldn't even celebrate their sack as the atmosphere instantly became tense. Not sure who started it, but in a matter of moments, the players on the field took a knee as a sign of respect for the injured player or were saying a quick prayer.
A hush fell over the Rose Bowl as the medical staff did their job as Curtis's anguished cries cut through the stadium noise, and the sight of him clutching his left ankle left players on both sides of the ball looking on with grim concern. Coach Baker hovered nearby, Curtis's anguished cries cut through the stadium noise, and the sight of him clutching his left ankle left players on both sides of the ball looking on with grim concern. Coach Baker hovered near his coaching area jaw clenched, eyes darting from the trainers to his quarterback.
He had thrown the junior QB into the fire pit, and he had thrived, so seeing him cut short was disappointing. It took a few minutes for the staff to stabilize Curtis's leg. Trainers gingerly loaded him onto a cart, an air cast supporting his ankle. The crowd, regardless of allegiance, offered a warm ovation in appreciation for the battered quarterback's valiant performance. As the cart rumbled off, Curtis managed a weak thumbs-up, and though still grimacing, he tried to reassure his teammates with a nod.
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To be Continued...