EUGENE, Ore. “”mdash; UCLA players have often joked that their
stay at swanky hotels the night before a game is so comfortable
that it’s tough for them to get the adrenaline pumping by
game time. Although the joke was always told with a healthy dose of
sarcasm, Oregon’s 30-20 win over UCLA makes the excuse sound
like a sober reality.
Playing on the road at Autzen Stadium, where the foundation
shakes on third downs as consequence, the Bruins experienced a
first-quarter horror show they likely wish was just a
nightmare.
FLASH SLIDESHOW
See more photos from UCLA Football’s match with the Oregon
Ducks.
The Ducks (5-1, 3-1 Pac-10) received the ball to start the game
and had little trouble tearing through the Bruin defense for 85
yards in three minutes of play for a touchdown.
After a quick three-and-out by the UCLA offense, Oregon got the
ball back on its own 45-yard line. This time, it took the Ducks
five and a half minutes to score another touchdown. Following a
34-yard field goal by UCLA kicker Justin Medlock, Oregon
quarterback Dennis Dixon threw a 26-yard fade to Brian Paysinger in
the back of the end zone to make it three touchdowns on as many
drives to start the game. With 1:01 left in the first quarter, it
was 20-3.
Oregon had little resistance from the UCLA defense, amassing 164
total yards and nine first downs in the opening period. The UCLA
defense made adjustments in the second half, forcing several big
stops and a turnover, but the sluggish start proved to be too much
to overcome for an offense led by its backup quarterback.
“We didn’t play well early,” UCLA coach Karl
Dorrell said. “Penalties were a factor early, and they got in
a rhythm on offense in the first half. They scored on their first
three drives, and we couldn’t quite get into a
rhythm.”
Oregon’s offense changed gears after the first quarter,
largely because Dixon suffered a pair of injuries. On the first
play of the second quarter, Dixon took an option play 34 yards
before getting the wind knocked out of him at the end of the play.
He came out for the rest of the drive, which stalled when backup
Brady Leaf entered the game. In the third quarter, Dixon
hyperextended his knee after a pass to Paysinger, and came out for
two series. Dixon returned to the game in the fourth quarter, after
Leaf threw an interception to UCLA safety Dennis Keyes.
The Ducks’ offense was mediocre at best for the last three
quarters, but the first quarter provided them with enough of a
cushion.
“They came out those first three drives and made
plays,” UCLA defensive end Bruce Davis said. “From the
second quarter on, we played well.”
CRUCIAL PENALTIES: The Bruins had two penalties
that may have sealed their fate on Saturday.
Defensive tackle Kevin Brown got called for roughing
Oregon’s punter on fourth down. The penalty prolonged
Oregon’s third drive, putting the ball at the UCLA 39 with
1:47 left in the first quarter. Oregon scored its third touchdown
within the minute to make it 20-3.
Fullback Michael Pitre committed a dead-ball personal foul as
UCLA was driving deep into Oregon territory with 12:15 left in the
second quarter. What would have been a third-and-1 on the Oregon 20
became a third-and-17 on the 35-yard line. The penalty led to a
48-yard field goal by Justin Medlock, to make it 20-6.
INJURIES: Tight end Ryan Moya broke his left
fibula during UCLA’s first play on offense, and is out for
the season. Moya had 12 receptions with a touchdown on the year.
Strong-side tackle Aleksey Lanis injured his right ankle in the
first half and did not return. It is unknown if Lanis, in a walking
boot after the game, will be available for next week’s game
at Notre Dame. Brian Abraham took over for Lanis.
EXTRA POINTS: Oregon is the first team to put
up more than 300 yards of total offense against the UCLA defense
this season ( with 404). … Oregon had two place kicks blocked.
Justin Hickman blocked the Ducks’ first extra point,
attempted by Paul Martin. Matt Evensen replaced Martin on place
kicks after that, but his 45-yard field goal attempt was blocked.
… Dennis Keyes once again returned punts inside the 20-yard line,
sharing the duties with freshman Terrence Austin. … The
attendance was 58,618. … UCLA is now 12-3 all-time at Autzen
Stadium.