Tight end Paulsen makes most of his opportunity

UCLA expected to use as many as five players at the tight end spot this season -- until they started falling one by one to injury.

The only one to stay healthy was Logan Paulsen, who has managed to stay fit enough to play in every game.

“I don’t know what it is; I guess it’s a little bit of luck,” Paulsen said. “I feel like I’m blessed to still be healthy at the end of the year.”

Paulsen, who is third on the team in receptions with 19 for 271 yards, has caught at least one pass in seven of nine games. Among players with at least two receptions, he leads the team with an average of 14.3 yards a catch. All but five of his catches have been for first downs.

“He’s quietly having a good year,” UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell said of the sophomore who played in only five games and caught two passes last season. “He’s a hard-working guy who the team really respects. He was our only healthy [tight end] coming out of training camp and he’s still the last man standing.”

Although former defensive end William Snead has played well since being moved to offense, Paulsen has been the Bruins’ every-down tight end. Against California last week, Paulsen had four catches for 74 yards and also made a couple of key blocks to spring UCLA runs.

“I think I’ve played well, but I could have done a lot better in certain games,” Paulsen said. “There’s always room for improvement. Just in every aspect. Everyone is going to drop a ball and miss a block, but the key is limiting those mistakes.”

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Oregon State has scored seven touchdowns on first possessions this season. Only Cal and Washington State held the Beavers scoreless on their opening drive.

“They’re going for your throat on that first drive to try and get the momentum of the game,” UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker said. “If you hit a 30-yard pass play on the first drive, then you got the defense on its heels. Then you can go run your offense.”

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Oregon State Coach Mike Riley on the unpredictability of the Pacific 10 Conference: “Besides the fact that USC was the incumbent front-runner, we thought it was going to be very interesting this year. I thought Cal was going to be pretty good and so was Oregon.

“But as you can see, you’re going to be surprised with some score every week in our league.”

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The Bruins have been outscored, 50-26, in the third quarter.... Oregon State is 4-0 when running back Yvenson Bernard has rushed more than 100 yards.... UCLA is hosting its 10th annual Veterans and Armed Forces Appreciation Day today. Veterans and active military personnel can receive one free general admission ticket or purchase two-for-one reserved tickets by presenting valid identification or being in uniform. Information: (310) UCLA-WIN.

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lonnie.white@latimes.com

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KEYS TO THE GAME

1 Moore pressure. UCLA defensive ends Justin Hickman and Bruce Davis rank among the best in the nation in sacks. Their ability to rush the quarterback will be important because Oregon State’s Matt Moore is very effective when he has time to throw.

2 Keep it in drive. Oregon State leads the nation in third-down conversion defense -- opponents convert only 25% of the time -- while UCLA is third at 26.7%. Oregon State punter Kyle Loomis and UCLA’s Aaron Perez could have busy games.

3 Longshots. Oregon State kicker Alexis Serna has made three field goals from longer than 50 yards this season; UCLA’s Justin Medlock has made two. Medlock is tied for the national lead with 19 total.

-- Lonnie White