Tune in at 8:00 PM ET as UCLA takes on Stanford. Ryan Kelly will be liveblogging for your enjoyment.
Hello and welcome to ScoreMobile's ongoing coverage of the world of NCAA college football. Tonight we present the Pac 12 Championship game between the Stanford Cardinal and the UCLA Bruins.
It doesn't quite have the same swagger that the SEC title game does -- where the winner will all but surely play for the national title -- but there's still a lot on the line as the winner will get to the play in the Rose Bowl.
Adding to the drama is that these two played each other last week with Stanford routing the Bruins 35-17 to clinch their spot in this game.
@tiri It would be hard to argue with that prediction, but crazier things have happened.
A couple of other interesting subplots: while Stanford has played in two straight BCS bowls -- the Orange and Fiesta -- they have not played in the Rose Bowl since 1999. UCLA on the other hand, play their home games in the Rose Bowl stadium but have not played in the game since 1998.
@hoppy They've just gone through team introductions and kickoff should be coming up shortly.
Worth noting that since this is a conference championship game, there are a lot of other festivities to go along with it. Hence the longer time before the game actually, you know, starts.
The captains are down at midfield for the coin toss.
UCLA calls heads and wins the toss. They will receive.
Weather could be a factor tonight. Theres a light rain falling right now and based on the players it looks to be somewhat cool.
Stanford now with the ball on the tee and it's away. Devin Fuller brings it out of the end zone and is stopped just shy of the 15.
UCLA 1 & 10 - Out of the shotgun, Hundley swings it to Franklin in the flat and he picks up about 7.
UCLA 2 & 4 - Franklin with the run up the middle and he's stuffed for no gain.
UCLA 3 & 4 - Hundley with the quick drop and a strike to Fuller for about 5 and the first down.
UCLA 1 & 10 - Inside hand off to Franklin, he then bounces it outside, breaks a tackle and picks up 11 and another first down.
UCLA 1 & 10 - Another inside handoff, but early penetration stopped them behind the line.
UCLA 2 & 11 - Really weird play. The snap was off, there was a fumble, Stanford recovered, but they say the play was under review first.
Now there's some question about whether Franklin's run a couple plays ago was indeed a first down. Strange stuff going on. Including -- as Frankie said -- the number of empty seats.
So it turns out the run was a first down, they just never reset the chains. So it's second and 11 for UCLA.
UCLA 2 & 11 - Two backs in out of the shotgun, a quick swing pass to Evans who slips after a pick up of 4.
UCLA 3 & 6 - Hundley with another dump off to Franklin in the flat and he picks up the first down.
UCLA 1 & 10 - Inside handoff to Franklin, he gets a small crease and he's GONE. A pair of Stanford defenders chase him down at the goalline, but he's in for the TOUCHDOWN. 51-yard scamper.
@Cody But it's not a neutral site game. If the Ducks were in it, the game would be in Oregon.
NOTE: the previous play is under review.
It's pretty clear that his left forearm hit the ground, but it's very hard to tell definitively if it was before the ball broke the plane. And in fashion, the play stands as calls. Worth noting that it was not confirmed.
PAT is up and good. UCLA now up 7-0, 11:35 remaining the first.
UCLA kick is up and Wright takes a couple yards deep and runs it back out to the 32. A really nice return there.
Stan 1 & 10 - Out of the I-formation the carry goes to Taylor and he picks up minimal yardage.
Stan 2 & 9 - Hogan swings it out to Taylor in the flat and he picks up 10 and the first down.
Stan 1 & 10 - Back to the I-formation and a play fake, but nothing open deep. Hogan flips it to Ertz for a yard or two.
Stan 2 & 8 - The give goes to Taylor right up the middle and he's swallowed up instantly. No gain.
Stan 3 & 9 - A bit of a spread option look there for the Cardinal and Hogan keeps it, darts up the middle, makes a nice cut and picks up the first down. It looked like a broken play at first.
Stan 1 & 10 - Back to their bread and butter -- power running with Taylor up the middle and he picks up 5.
Stan 2 & 5 - Same look on second down and he picks up about 3 and 1/2.
Stan 3 & 2 - Traditional option play with an early pitch to Taylor. He's pushed out of bounds very close to the marker.
