found itself in an unusual, and seemingly frightening, situation against Colorado late Saturday night.
The Bruins needed their defense to make a stop to win.
It was the same defense that had been repeatedly flattened through the season’s first month but was making some significant and necessary strides against the Buffaloes at the Rose Bowl.
Some redemption came when UCLA held the Buffaloes without a miracle finish, preserving a 27-23 victory after Colorado quarterback Steven Montez’s final desperation pass sailed out the back of the end zone.
There was also a bit of salvation for UCLA’s much-maligned running game after tailback Soso Jamabo ran for seven yards on third and six to help sustain a drive in which the Bruins (3-2 overall, 1-1 Pac-12 Conference) burned most of the game’s final 6 1/2 minutes.