UCLA football keeps bowl hopes alive with win over Arizona State

UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Lasley (2) catches a pass fora first down over Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Kobe Williams (5) in the first half of a NCAA college football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

PASADENA — UCLA just watched a 10-point lead evaporate in 59 seconds. That’s when players started waving towels and bouncing up and down on the sideline. This is supposed to be fun, they were reminded.

In a season mostly devoid of fun moments, the Bruins rediscovered a reason to celebrate again and rekindled their dimming bowl hopes with a 44-37 win over the Sun Devils at the Rose Bowl. UCLA has to win one out of its last two games between next Saturday at USC and at home against California on Nov. 24 to earn bowl eligibility.

“(We had) some great talks and really made a huge focus on the passion and the energy and the enthusiasm,” offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said. “And I really believe our guys are going to take that, run with it and it’s going to be fun.”