Dorian Thompson-Robinson helps UCLA turn tide in fourth quarter, beat Washington

Little has come easy for UCLA this season, and this was no different.

Seemingly on the way to a runaway victory against a Washington team struggling to move the ball, the Bruins’ defense faltered, their offense sputtered and suddenly the score was tied.

Needing a big play to reverse its fortunes midway through the fourth quarter Saturday night, UCLA turned to Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The senior quarterback provided two.

Facing a fourth and one, with Huskies players waving white towels on the sideline to intensify the din of the Husky Stadium crowd, Thompson-Robinson cut outside for a two-yard run.

Later, Thompson-Robinson zipped a nine-yard touchdown pass over the middle to tight end Greg Dulcich for the go-ahead score during UCLA’s 24-17 victory.

The Bruins could finally exhale after freshman cornerback Devin Kirkwood made a dazzling interception on a pass that he wrested away from Washington receiver Rome Odzune at the UCLA four-yard line with 4 minutes 50 seconds left.

The defensive stop was welcome for a team that had given up a two-touchdown lead and once appeared on the verge of a crushing defeat. Instead, UCLA (5-2 overall, 3-1 Pac-12) won a second consecutive game and improved to 3-0 in conference road games while reaching the five-win threshold for the first time under coach Chip Kelly.

The Bruins’ first victory here since 2014 also set up a showdown against No. 9 Oregon next weekend at the Rose Bowl.

It took a bounce-back performance from Thompson-Robinson, who…