UCLA linebacker Jayon Brown followed the bouncing ball.
Utah quarterback Travis Wilson had juggled the snap and then tried to hand it to running back Joe Williams. Suddenly the ball, the game and UCLA's season were at Brown's feet.
He pounced, recovering a fumble with one minute left to preserve a 17-9 victory Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium. A long day of wrestling with the No. 13 Utes left the Bruins tied for first place in the Pac-12 South with Utah and USC.
The division title will be decided next Saturday, when the Bruins (8-3 overall, 5-3 in Pac-12 play) face the Trojans in the Coliseum.