Washington State safety Charleston White (4) intercepts a pass intended for UCLA tight end Austin Roberts (88) near the end of a game Saturday in Pullman. Washington State won 27-21. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

Washington State safety Charleston White (4) intercepts a pass intended for UCLA tight end Austin Roberts (88) near the end of a game Saturday in Pullman. Washington State won 27-21. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

Washington State stays hot, holds on for 27-21 win over UCLA

By Tim Booth

Associated Press

PULLMAN — Gerard Wicks rushed for a pair of 1-yard touchdowns, Jamal Morrow added another TD run, and Washington State won its fourth straight, 27-21 over UCLA on Saturday night.

Wicks’ first touchdown late in the second quarter gave the Cougars (4-2, 3-0 Pac-12) a 10-0 lead and his second 1-yard plunge pushed the lead to 17-7 midway through the third quarter. Morrow added a 3-yard TD run late in the third as the Cougars beat UCLA in consecutive years for the first time since 2006 and 2007.

UCLA (3-4, 1-3) played without starting quarterback Josh Rosen a week after he suffered shoulder and leg injuries against Arizona State. The shoulder was the problem on Saturday, as Rosen only attempted a couple of throws during pregame warmups before determining he couldn’t go.

Backup Mike Fafaul, making his first college start, was 24-of-40 passing for 258 yards. Fafaul threw two touchdown passes to Darren Andrews and added a 5-yard TD throw to Jordan Lasley. Fafaul hit Andrews on a 22-yard TD in the third quarter and his 4-yard TD pass to Andrews with 3:17 remaining pulled the Bruins with 27-21.

UCLA got the ball back with 2:43 remaining after holding Washington State to a three-and-out. But on the first play Lasley was hit from behind by Dylan Hanser and fumbled. Washington State’s Robert Taylor fell on the loose ball. The Cougars punted back to UCLA with under a minute remaining but Charleston White intercepted Fafaul to clinch the win.

Washington State quarterback Luke Falk failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time in his career. Falk finished 28 of 48 for 261 yards on a cold, rainy night on the Palouse. Falk was intercepted in the end zone in the first half and fumbled an attempted pass in the third quarter that led to UCLA’s first touchdown.

But Falk led three long touchdown drives, including an 18-play, 91-yard drive in the second quarter that was capped by Wicks’ first touchdown.

It was a forgettable night for the Bruins that included a (minus) 1-yard punt from Austin Kent in the first quarter that led to a few choice words from coach Jim Mora. Aside from a promising debut by Fafaul, UCLA was bullied on the line of scrimmage and saw its defense give up more than 24 points in regulation for the first time this season.

FINALLY!

Washington State became the final FBS team in the country to make a field goal when Powell hit a 36-yard attempt midway through the first quarter to take a 3-0 lead. Powell had missed his first attempts of the season — one in each game. Powell made another 36-yarder in the fourth quarter.

TAKEAWAYS

UCLA: The Bruins continued to have no running game on a night where the weather and circumstances with their quarterback called for having offensive balance. The Bruins rushed for 43 yards on 25 carries, the fourth time in five games UCLA failed to crack 100 yards rushing as a team.

Washington State: The Cougars continue to get big production from their trio of running backs. The Cougars rushed for 95 yards, but the trio of Wicks, Morrow and James Williams added eight catches for 65 yards.

UP NEXT

UCLA: The Bruins return home to host No. 21 Utah next Saturday, their next-to-last home game.

Washington State: The Cougars travel to Arizona State next Saturday, the first of two straight road games.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Stanwood senior Reagan Ryan prepares for the next pitch during the Spartans' 11-1 win against Everett at Lincoln Field in Everett, Washington on April 21, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Reagan Ryan’s career day carries Stanwood softball past Everett

The senior’s inside-the-park home run highlights a 5-RBI, 3 R stat line in the 11-1 win.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for April 13-19

The Athlete of the Week nominees for April 13-19. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Prep baseball roundup for Monday, April 21

Lake Stevens’ Luke Morris no-hits Bruins.

Prep roundup for Monday, April 21

Jackson golfers claim top two spots, win Wesco 4A meet.

Prep softball roundup for Monday, April 21

Edmonds-Woodway wins hit party.

Seahawks GM: Teams calling about a Sam Howell trade

The Seahawks are getting calls to possibly trade Sam Howell. But they… Continue reading

Edmonds-Woodway senior Luke Boland takes a swing during the Warriors' 3-0 win against Liberty (Renton) at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington on April 19, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway baseball enjoys Major League experience

The Warriors beat Liberty (Renton) 3-0 at T-Mobile Park in Saturday’s High School Baseball Classic.

Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker (52) line up in a game. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com / Tribune News Services)
Seahawks mock draft: Offensive line is a need on Day 1

This will be the final Seattle Seahawks-centric, seven-round mock draft before the… Continue reading

Silvertips defenseman Kaden Hammell passes the puck up ice as Winterhawks forward Josh Zakreski tries to forecheck during Everett's 4-3 loss in Game 5 of the WHL Western Conference Semifinals at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington on April 18, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Silvertips face elimination after last-minute Game 5 loss

Darby’s tip-in with a minute left secures 4-3 win and 3-2 series lead for Portland.

Glacier Peak’s JW Grose makes a catch in the outfield during the 4A district game against Bothell at Funko Field on Thursday, May 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Weekend prep baseball roundup for April 18-19

Grizzlies’ Gross shuts down Jackson.

Weekend prep softball roundup for April 18-19

Cougars’ Krueger sets career runs record.

Weekend prep boys soccer roundup for April 18-19

Spartans win in double overtime.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.