Jake Haener of Fresno State dreamed of playing a game in the Rose Bowl. The quarterback never would have believed the script he wrote Saturday night against UCLA if you showed it to him.
Haener was taking a beating from the Bruins’ defense. It appeared as if the Bulldogs would absorb a brutal loss when UCLA scored to take a four-point lead with less than a minute left.
Haener was barely able to remain upright, grasping his hip after every play and before every snap.
Somehow, someway, he led a 6-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Cooper that gave Fresno State a memorable 40-37 victory over the 13th-ranked Bruins.
WHAT A WAY TO END THE DAY 🤯
BULLDOGS. +330. CASH IT. 🤑🤑🤑
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) September 19, 2021
Haener, who dropped to his knees after the final throw, hit 39-of-53 passes for 455 yards with two TDs and one INT. Cropper caught 14 balls for 141 yards.
🚨 DOWN GOES NO. 13 UCLA 🚨
Fresno State QB Jake Haener — in some noticeable pain — leads his team 6 plays, 75 yards in 40 seconds for the go-ahead touchdown.
🎥 @MountainWest pic.twitter.com/Lp5IAARYye
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) September 19, 2021
Jake Haener will have hip replacement surgery tomorrow, but tonight he rules the Rose Bowl. Holy crap that was fun.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) September 19, 2021
Fresno State UPSETS No. 13 UCLA in a classic ‼️
This is tied for the highest-ranked team it's beaten since the AP poll began in 1936. pic.twitter.com/y3qRIofvRx
— ESPN (@espn) September 19, 2021
