UCLA’s Paul Perkins injures knee in first half

UCLA lost a key part of its offense in the first half Thursday, as running back Paul Perkins left the game after injuring his left knee.

Perkins, who led the Pac-12 Conference in rushing last season, was hurt at the end of a two-yard run in the second quarter against California. His knee appeared to buckle when he was tackled on the California six-yard line. Perkins hobbled off the field and did not return.

The loss of Perkins would be a severe blow to a UCLA offense that is short on experienced running backs. Nate Starks sat out the game with what was called a head injury. Craig Lee was ruled academically ineligible in September.

The Bruins’ running game was left in the hands of two freshmen, Soso Jamabo and Bolu Olorunfunmi. Jamabo had 79 yards rushing and Olorunfunmi 17 on Thursday.

Roosevelt Davis, a former walk-on, was the only other running back available.

Perkins entered the game with 681 yards, the fifth-most in the Pac-12 this season. He had 73 yards before the injury Thursday.

The loss of Perkins was felt later on the same drive he was injured. The Bruins had a first and goal at the Bears’ three but settled for a 20-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn.

Fairbairn hits

There was a time when Fairbairn struggled on long field goals. No longer.

The senior closed the first half with a UCLA-record 60-yard field goal, breaking Chris Sailer’s record of 56 yards set in 1997.

It tied Fairbairn for the second-longest field goal in conference history. Washington State’s Jason Hanson kicked a 62-yard field goal against Nevada Las Vegas in 1991.

The Bruins made Fairbairn’s job tougher. He made a 55-yard kick, only to have it wiped out when UCLA was called for a false start.

The extra five yards hardly mattered, as Fairbairn cleared the crossbar with room to spare.

Fairbairn had four field goals Thursday, including a 44-yarder in the first quarter. He has made eight of his last nine field goal attempts of 40 or more yards.

Fairbairn ranks fourth on UCLA’s all-time list with 61 field goals. Kai Forbath (2007-10) and John Lee (1982-85) are tied for the most in UCLA history with 85.

Brendal second

Center Jake Brendel made his 46th start, tying him with Craig Novitsky (1990-93) for second on UCLA’s all-time list. Spencer Havner (2002-05) holds the UCLA record with 48 starts.

Injury report

Besides Starks, UCLA was without tackle Conor McDermott (knee) and Deon Hollins (knee). Linebacker Isaako Savaiinaea left the game with a left leg injury in the third quarter.

UCLA receiver Devin Fuller was taken to the locker room with an undisclosed injury in the third quarter.

Quick hits

UCLA receiver Jordan Payton has caught at least one pass in 23 consecutive games. … UCLA is 29-0 when leading at halftime under Coach Jim Mora. … The announced attendance at the Rose Bowl was 57,046. UCLA announced crowds averaging 71,113 for the first three home games this season.

chris.foster@latimes.com

Twitter: @cfosterlatimes