There isn't a QB controversy brewing in Westwood, Calif., but if UCLA's Brett Hundley is out for an extended period of time, UCLA now knows it can win a big game with Jerry Neuheisel at QB.
Hundley injured his left elbow early in the first quarter of Saturday's game against Texas and was replaced by Neuheisel, the son of former UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel. And in three minutes left in the fourth quarter, Neuheisel tossed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Payton to give the No. 12 Bruins a 20-17 win over Texas.
Hundley's elbow was hurt on a QB run. As he fell to the ground on top of a Texas defender, his left elbow took the brunt of the impact as he braced himself with his left hand. He immediately jogged to the sidelines and was pushed down by coach Jim Mora for an injury timeout.
At halftime, Hundley was ruled doubtful for the game and spent the second half with a bag of ice on his elbow.
For most of his time replacing Hundley, Neuheisel leaned on a running game that racked up 217 yards. Though Texas quickly realized the lack of downfield passing and keyed on the run game.
Texas took a 17-13 lead with over five minutes left in the fourth quarter and on UCLA's next drive, forced a fumble. A few first downs or a score could have ended the game.
Instead, UCLA forced Texas to punt and Ishmael Adams returned a 58-yard punt 45 yards to the Texas 33-yard-line. That's when UCLA broke out the deep play. With Payton one-on-one against his defender, he got separation and Neuheisel hit him for the touchdown.
It's unknown how long Hundley, a preseason candidate for the Heisman Trophy, will be out. Mora said after the game that Hundley would be re-evaulated when the team returns to Los Angeles.
Jim Mora said QB Brett Hundley will be reevaluated tomorrow. Will have an MRI. Said Hundley "begged" to enter game.
— Jack Wang (@thejackwang) September 14, 2014 If he's out more than just Saturday night, it's Neuheisel's team. Any potential wins with him at QB may not be pretty, but nothing much has been pretty about UCLA's season so far. Yet the Bruins are undefeated at 3-0 and that's about all that matters.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - In Brett Hundley's absence, UCLA's Jerry Neuheisel tosses game-winning TD against Texas
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