Every third down in a football game is a battle. Possession is
at stake, meaning each pivotal third down opportunity is a
potential momentum swing. Hence, when retracing the reasons behind
UCLA’s victory over Oregon, look no further than the
Bruins’ overwhelming success on third downs. While the
defense held Oregon to a measly 2-for-11 on such opportunities, the
offense converted 10 of 18, a stark improvement over the last few
weeks. “We made a big emphasis on it because the last three
weeks we’ve been awful,” offensive coordinator Tom
Cable said. “We went from 46 percent to 41 percent as a team.
If you drop 5 percent in three weeks, that’s bad football. So
we made it an issue and emphasis, and we were better
(Saturday).” The Bruins’ third-down command and effort
were most evident in the fourth quarter, when the Bruins sustained
crucial time-killing drives with multiple third down conversions.
In particular, during their 13-play drive that took five and a half
minutes off the clock, UCLA converted on two big third downs, each
time allowing its offense to chew a couple more minutes off the
clock by running the ball on the ensuing first and second down. And
even when their last drive finally stalled when faced with a third
and 20, quarterback Drew Olson found freshman tailback Chris Markey
for 11 yards, which put the ball in range for Justin Medlock to
seal the game with a 50-yard field goal. “It was absolutely
great playcalling,” coach Karl Dorrell said.
“That’s the style of ball I want to play with. If
we’re up in the game, we’re going to finish the
football game. “They knew we were going to run it, and so
what? We’re going to run the football. That’s how a
team grows up, when they know that you’re going to do
something and you still execute.” UCLA’s defense was
equally as effective as its offense. The Bruins entered the game
last in the Pac-10 in opponents’ third down conversions at
40.8 percent, but the unit repeatedly stifled the Ducks Saturday,
including twice in the fourth quarter. “The defense did a
great job in third downs, which was just tremendous for getting the
ball back for our offense,” Dorrell said.
PAC-10 HONORS: Markey and Medlock picked up the
weekly Pac-10 award for outstanding performance by an offensive
player and special teams player. Markey, from Luling, La., received
his first career start in place of the injured Maurice Drew and
took full advantage, carrying the ball 23 times for 131 yards,
hauling in five receptions for 84 yards and even returning a
kickoff 23 yards. Medlock converted two of three field goal
attempts, from 52 and 50 yards, respectively. This is his second
such award this season ““ he also won for going 4-for-4 in
field goals Nov. 2 against San Diego State. Linebacker Wendell
Hunter from Cal took home Pac-10 defensive player of the week,
beating out a field of nominees that included Bruin freshman
cornerback Trey Brown, who had a 43-yard interception return for a
touchdown.