UCLA 27, Oregon State 19 (final)
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UCLA won its Pacific 12 Conference opener Saturday, holding off Oregon State when Sheldon Price knocked away a late fourth-down pass by the Beavers at the Bruins’ 22-yard line.
The Bruins (2-2 overall) survived despite a blocked field-goal attempt, a blocked point-after try and a UCLA punt that was returned 85 yards for a touchdown by Jordan Poyer.
‘It was a great win on the road. That’s what you have to do in this conference,’ UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel said afterward in a television interview.
Asked if the win might have also made the hot seat he’s on ‘a little more tepid,’ the coach said, ‘I’m just trying to stay standing. That’s it.’
UCLA was able to control the ball, rushing for 211 yards in 49 carries. Derrick Coleman led the way, running for 100 yards in 20 carries.
Oregon State (0-3) managed only 88 yards rushing in 29 carries, though freshman quarterback Sean Mannion completed 24 of 40 passes for 287 yards and a touchdown with one interception.
UCLA’s Richard Brehaut passed only 11 times, completing seven for 146 yards and a touchdown.
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UCLA 27, Oregon State 19 [6:15 left in fourth quarter]
The Bruins grind out a drive when they needed it most, going 65 yards after defensive end Damien Holmes stopped Oregon State’s Terron Ward on a fourth-and-one play.
UCLA gained 55 yards rushing on the drive, with Anthony Barr scoring on a one-yard run. Jeff Locke’s extra-point try was blocked.
UCLA 21, Oregon State 19 [end of third quarter]
Sean Mannion, shaking off his first-half mistakes, threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Bishop.
Bishop caught the ball coming across the field and sprinted 30 yards before diving into the end zone. Oregon State went for two, but UCLA’s Alex Mascarenas intercepted Mannion’s pass.
Mannion, who lost a fumble and had a pass intercepted in the first half, completed three of four passes for 60 yards on the 73-yard drive.
UCLA 21, Oregon State 13 [11:49 left in third quarter]
Oregon State creeps closer, getting a 30-yard field goal from Trevor Romaine.
The Beavers drove to the UCLA 13-yard line on the first possession of the second half. Terron Ward had a 22-yard run, with Aaron Hester pushing him after he stepped out of bounds. The personal foul penalty gave Oregon State a first down on the UCLA 31-yard line.
UCLA 21, Oregon State 10 [halftime]
UCLA was in complete control, dominating Oregon State in the first half before cracking open the door for the Beavers.
Jordan Poyer’s 85-yard punt return with 13 seconds left in the second quarter cut into UCLA’s lead.
Until Poyer’s return, the Bruins were in command with 209 yards in total offense.
UCLA may have lost running back Johnathan Franklin, who left the game with an injured left hip flexor. A UCLA official said Franklin was expected to return.
The Beavers helped out with two turnovers. UCLA linebacker Sean Westgate intercepted a Sean Mannion pass, setting UCLA up at the Oregon State 46-yard line. The Bruins ran over the Beavers defense from there.
Derrick Coleman had 25 yards rushing on the drive. Quarterback Richard Brehaut went the last five for the touchdown.
Mannion had the ball slip from his hands as he prepared to pass on another possession. UCLA defensive end Keenan Graham picked up the fumble and returned it two yards to the four-yard line.
On the next play, Jordon James scored on a four-yard run for the first touchdown of his career for a 21-3 lead.
Oregon State drove from its own 10-yard line to the UCLA five on its first possession, getting a 25-yard field goal from Trevor Romaine.
UCLA answered quickly, taking the lead with two big pass plays.
Brehaut found Josh Smith down the sideline for a 62-yard gain. Two plays later, Taylor Embree out-jumped two Oregon State defenders for a 22-yard touchdown reception.
Brehaut completed five of seven passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
UCLA 21, Oregon State 3 [4:05 left in the second quarter]
Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion had the ball slip from his hands as he prepared to pass. UCLA defensive end Keenan Graham picked up the fumble and returned it two yards to the four-yard line.
On the next play, Jordon James scored a four-yard run for the first touchdown of his career.
UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin has left the game with an injury to his left hip, which he is currently icing.
UCLA 14, Oregon State 3 [10:30 left in second quarter]
Linebacker Sean Westgate’s interception put UCLA back on the offensive.
The Bruins grind out a 46-yard drive, all of it on the ground. Quarterback Richard Brehaut went the last five for the touchdown. Derrick Coleman had 25 yards rushing on the drive.
It is UCLA’s biggest lead of the season.
UCLA 7, Oregon State 3 [1:36 left in the first quarter]
UCLA answers quickly, taking the lead with two big pass plays.
Richard Brehaut found Josh Smith down the sideline for a 62-yard gain to open the drive. Two plays later, Taylor Embree out-jumped two Oregon State defenders for a 22-yard touchdown reception.
Oregon State 3, UCLA 0 [2:52 left in first quarter]
Oregon State drove from its own 10-yard line to the UCLA five on its first possession, getting a 25-yard field goal from Trevor Romaine.
The Beavers took 7 minutes 46 seconds off the clock, converting three times on third down. Quarterback Sean Mannion completed four of six passes for 67 yards, including a 31-yard completion to James Rodgers, who is playing his first game since severely injuring his left knee against Arizona last Oct. 9.
Mannion completed three third-down passes.
Pregame
UCLA free safety Tony Dye is not expected to play against Oregon State on Saturday because of a shoulder injury.
Rick Neuheisel said Thursday that Dye was “50-50” due to a “nerve issue.” Dye was injured against San Jose State on Sept. 10, but played last week against Texas. He did not practice this week.
Dye, a team captain, had started 28 consecutive games. Tevin McDonald will start in Dye’s place.
--Chris Foster
