Stanford quarterback Ryan Burns lofted a pass into the air, toward the corner of the end zone, and it felt like more than a game hung in the balance.
The Cardinal’s nearly decade-long mastery of UCLA was suddenly on wobbly footing. Bruins Coach Jim Mora appeared to be closing in on what would be the signature victory of his five seasons on the job.
For more than 59 minutes Saturday at the Rose Bowl, UCLA’s defense had been stout, holding the Cardinal to a trio of field goals to preserve a lead.