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UCLA rallies to beat California

Marcus Rios, left, whose interception sealed a UCLA win, breaks up a pass intended for Cal’s Chris Harper. (Associated Press)
Associated Press

BERKELEY, Calif. – Brett Hundley threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns and added a third score on the ground to help UCLA snap a seven-game skid at California with a 36-34 victory Saturday.

Hundley accounted for 424 yards of offense to overcome his own fumble and interception as the Bruins (5-2, 2-2 Pac-12) won at Memorial Stadium for the first time since 1998.

It wasn’t easy with the Bruins not taking the lead for good until Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked his third field goal, a 26-yarder with 3:40 remaining that provided the go-ahead score and helped UCLA get back on the winning track after losses to Utah and Oregon.

The win was sealed when Marcus Rios made a juggling interception on a Jared Goff pass at the 2-yard line with 51 seconds left.

Goff threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns for the Golden Bears (4-3, 2-3), who have lost back-to-back home games after an impressive 4-1 start to the season.

UCLA moved the ball with ease for most of the game, punting just three times on 15 drives. But the Burins committed three turnovers that turned into short touchdown drives for Cal, which proved to be a big factor in the game.

The most costly came midway through the fourth quarter when the Bruins had the ball in Cal territory looking to add to a 5-point lead. But Hundley threw behind Jordan Payton and Cameron Walker cut in front for an interception that he returned to the UCLA 32.

That set up Goff’s 23-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline to Kenny Lawler that gave the Bears a 34-33 lead with less than 7 minutes to play.

But Hundley responded by leading the field goal drive and then got the big play from his defense to win it.

Cal stopped Hundley on a fourth-and-1 sneak just across midfield on the opening drive of the third quarter. Lasco scored on his second short run three plays later to cut UCLA’s lead to 24-21.

The Bears managed to take a 28-27 lead when Davis made a leaping grab for a 24-yard score.

UCLA answered on Hundley’s 15-yard run in the closing seconds of the third to take a 33-28 lead heading into the fourth.

The Bruins controlled the first half but led only 24-14 at the break.