PASADENA “”mdash; UCLA football coach Karl Dorrell admitted
earlier in the week that a win over visiting California could give
his program the kind of boost that would vault his program back
into national consciousness, a place it hasn’t been since he took
over.
Needing to overcome a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter and
a
continual flow of penalties, Dorrell’s Bruins were able to score
a 47-40 victory and decidedly fulfilled the opportunity presented
to them.
The definitive performance of the game had to have belonged to
UCLA junior tailback Maurice Drew, who scored five touchdowns and
illustrated the variety of ways he can destroy a defense.
Drew amassed two long punt returns, one of which was an 81-yard
touchdown, as well as the game-winning 28-yard touchdown reception
with a little over a minute and half remaining in the contest.
After providing the Bruins with that touchdown catch, Drew
scored his third rushing touchdown of the evening as the time
expired to finish the scoring.
UCLA (5-0, 2-0 Pac 10) entered the game as slight favorites over
California (5-1, 1-1), yet trailed most of the game due to the
strong rushing performances turned in by the Bears’ tandem of
Justin Forsett and Marshawn Lynch.
Forsett registered 153 yards on 10 carries while Lynch had 135
yards
on 22 carries. They both scored once as Cal tallied 384 yards on
the ground.
Despite the inability to stop the run, UCLA’s defense followed a
bend-but-don’t-break strategy, as it held Cal to four short field
goal
attempts after lengthy drives. The Bears’ Tom Schneider made all
of his four attempts, but the Bruins were able to keep their
opponent from stretching the lead out and possibly putting to end
any thoughts of a comeback.
With a gutsy effort from its defense, UCLA was able to
capitalize on several risky yet rewarding plays. The biggest play
might have taken place with 9:02 left in the game and the Bruins
down 40-28. It was fourth-and-one on the UCLA 42-yard line, and
Dorrell called for a fake punt, in which senior safety Jarrad Page
rumbled 38 yards and picked up the first down, setting up a
touchdown.
Sometimes ineffective or inconsistent, UCLA senior quarterback
Drew Olson played safe and made plays when he needed to. Olson went
17-of-33 for 225 yards and two touchdowns, and he scored on a
quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter.
Cal junior quarter Joe Ayoob finished 18 of 35 for 215 yards
with two
touchdowns. However, he threw an interception with a little over
a minute left in the fourth quarter to seal his team’s fate and
secure a Bruin victory.
For extended coverage of UCLA’s victory over Cal, check out
the Daily Bruin on Monday.