UCLA holds on for Alamo Bowl victory over Kansas State

Just hours after Houston pulled off an incredibly improbable comeback against Pitt, Kansas State tried its best to imitate the Cougars. However, the Wildcats came up short.

After UCLA bolted out to a 31-6 lead at halftime, Kansas State pulled within 34-28 with less than five minutes to go in Friday's Valero Alamo Bowl. However, UCLA RB Paul Perkins dashed Kansas State's hopes shortly thereafter with a 67-yard touchdown run that gave the Bruins a two-score lead and an eventual 40-35 win over the Wildcats.

Perkins' touchdown put UCLA up 40-28 with 2:20 remaining. But given the way the second half had unfolded to that point, it was fitting that Kansas State wasn't done. UCLA's 15th (and final) penalty of the night negated an interception and the Wildcats scored with 1:21 remaining to pull within five points.

It was time for an onside kick, which was sweetly executed rabona-style by Kansas State kicker Matthew McCrane. However, Perkins recovered it and UCLA could finally breathe easily.

Kansas State supplied UCLA with two backhoes in the first half to help with the 25-point lead. The Wildcats fumbled and threw an interception in the first half and UCLA converted both turnovers into touchdowns.

In the second half, KSU was much more efficient. Four of the Wildcats' five drives ended in touchdowns and the comeback hopes got a boost with a UCLA fumble immediately after KSU's first touchdown of the half.

The 31-6 deficit that Kansas State faced was the same score that Houston was on the low end of in the fourth quarter of the Armed Forces Bowl against Pitt. From then, the Cougars outscored the Panthers 29-3 for the bigest bowl comeback ever and a 35-34 win. When Kansas State was within six, the thoughts of 35-34 were definitely dancing in our heads.

Perkins finished with 20 carries for 194 yards and two touchdowns. Bruin QB Brett Hundley, playing his last game before he heads to the NFL, was 12-24 passing for 137 yards. He also ran for 96 yards and two first half touchdowns.

For more Kansas State news visit GoPowercat.com.

For more UCLA news visit BruinSportsReport.com.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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