UCLA Barely Survives to Win Tumultuous 2015 Alamo Bowl

Number 14 UCLA defeated 11th-ranked Kansas State, 40-35 to win the 2015 Alamo Bowl, but not before almost blowing a large lead. After going into the locker room with a comfortable 31-6 lead, the Bruins were outscored 29-9 in the second half by a resurgent Kansas State team. UCLA just avoided suffering the same fate as Baylor and Pitt. Both gave up huge leads earlier in the week to lose their bowl games to Houston and Michigan State, respectively. Fans who enjoyed betting on UCLA Bruins football managed to come out ok in most cases.

UCLA quarterback Brent Hundley looked like a champion in the first quarter as he completed nine of 11 passes for 85 yards. He also scrambled for two touchdown runs of 10 and 28 yards. The Wildcats were held to just 87 yards total in the entire first half. On defense, the Bruins sacked Kansas State quarterback Jake Waters seven times, twice by Butkus Award winner Eric Kendricks. These kinds of plays reveal why fans love their California football teams.

Then Kansas State lived up to its national ranking and came roaring back, scoring 22 of the first 25 points in the second half. Senior wide receiver Tyler Lockett came on strong, with 13 receptions for 167 yards and two touchdowns. The second touchdown was a 29-yard pass from Waters with 1:21 left, giving Wildcat fans hope for yet another dramatic college bowl game win. The defense also began to step up. Hundley was contained, completing just 3 out of 13 passes after his strong start.

UCLA set Alamo Bowl records with 15 penalties for 128 yards. One penalty in particular incensed coach Jim Mora. Lineman Caleb Benenoch was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for crossing his forearms and taunting the Kansas State bench during a celebration. Mora ripped off his headset and verbally blasted Benenoch when his player reached the sideline.

On the positive side, UCLA has now posted consecutive 10-3 seasons under Jim Mora. Although he'll be losing starting quarterback Brent Hundley to the NFL, 18 of his 22 starters will be back, including Perkins. To add to the bizarre nature of the lengthy, penalty-plagued game, two fans wandered onto the field separately to dance and cheer during the many stoppages for commercials and penalties. Both were quickly removed by security.

Then, both coaches shared a very frosty post-game handshake. Mora was reportedly upset with Kansas State's coach, Bill Snyder after a Wildcat player hurled himself at Bruin quarterback Brent Hundley, who was taking a knee, on the final play of the game. Mora denied that there was any ulterior motive to his gesture. However, he later emphasized that his players' safety was his top priority in a post-game tweet.