The UCLA Bruins defense held together better in the third quarter than it did in the first half, but still find themselves in a big hole heading in to the fourth quarter of the Holiday Bowl, trailing the Baylor Bears, 42-13.

The third quarter provided less fireworks than either quarter in the first half, as the teams scored a combined ten points. The Bruins put together a 78-yard drive early in the quarter, which included five completions from quarterback Brett Hundley. UCLA was forced to punt after a third-and-11 pass attempt to Devin Fuller fell incomplete. Ka'imi Fairbairn came on to nail a 40-yard field goal, making the score 35-13.

After a Bruins pass attempt on fourth down was deflected, the Bears took over on their own 41-yard line and put together their sixth touchdown drive of the game, putting them ahead, 42-13, heading in to the fourth quarter.