Late field goal puts Pitt over No. 18 UCLA 37-35 in Sun Bowl
Pittsburgh running back Rodney Hammond Jr., left, and placekicker Ben Sauls lift their MVP trophies after their team won the Sun Bowl NCAA college football game against UCLA, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Andres Leighton]
EL PASO, Texas (AP) — Ben Sauls kicked five field goals, including a 47-yarder in the final seconds, and Pitt beat No. 18 UCLA 37-35 in a back-and-forth Sun Bowl. The Panthers, playing without five starters who opted out of the game, took advantage of five UCLA turnovers, including four interceptions. UCLA grabbed a 35-34 lead on T.J. Harden’s 8-yard touchdown run with 34 seconds remaining. The late scoring drive started at the UCLA 25-yard line with less than two minutes left. Pitt then drove down the field, using two spikes to stop the clock, and kicked a field goal for the win.
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Pittsburgh wide receiver Jake McConnachie (84) and teammates celebrate after the team's win over UCLA in the Sun Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Andres Leighton
Pittsburgh place-kicker Ben Sauls (90) and punter Cam Guess (92) celebrate after the team's win over UCLA in the Sun Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Andres Leighton
Pittsburgh wide receiver Bub Means (15) celebrates after a touchdown against UCLA with offensive lineman Ryan Jacoby (61) during the first half of the Sun Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Andres Leighton