Minutes into the third quarter, what appeared to be an unassuming flock of docile Ducks reminded college football why they hold the No. 13 ranking in the country.
UCLA’s coverage team could not hinder the efforts of nimble Oregon return man in Kenjon Barner, who returned Jeff Locke’s second-half kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.
Nor could a returning, fresh-off-injury Kevin Prince and the Bruin offense supply enough counterpunch to combat the deficit.
Following a first half racked with penalties and zero trips to the red zone, Oregon (5-1, 3-0 Pac-10) revamped its offensive strategy and stunned UCLA (3-2, 0-2) with three touchdowns in four minutes en route to a 24-10 victory at the Rose Bowl.
The frustrating flurry, as coach Rick Neuheisel described the Oregon onslaught, proved too explosive for his UCLA team to contain.
“A great kickoff return, a break on a ball results in another touchdown, and then the subsequent drive “¦ was too much to overcome,” Neuheisel said.
Immediately following Barner’s dash to the end zone, Oregon took advantage of a pair of Prince’s rookie mistakes.
On the Bruins’ first snap following Barner’s touchdown return, Prince was intercepted by Talmadge Jackson III at UCLA’s 27-yard line, which led to a second Duck touchdown. On the Bruins’ next possession Prince was stripped of the ball by Oregon’s Kenny Rowe, resulting in a fumble recovered by Duck linebacker Eddie Pleasant. A series of Duck rushes and a touchdown pass would eventually add more points to Oregon’s tally.
In his first game behind center since suffering a fractured jaw in Tennessee one month ago, Prince experienced what he characterized as “the worst game I’ve ever played in my life.”
Prince went 13-of-25 on the afternoon, accumulating 81 yards and throwing one pick. He was sacked once.
In the first quarter, UCLA found itself on Oregon’s two-yard line. The Bruins turned the ball over on downs after failing to penetrate Oregon’s goal line as Prince and his offensive line were twice unable to execute a successful quarterback sneak.
The Bruin offense could not generate a touchdown, reflecting on the unit’s inability to move the ball downfield ““ a responsibility Prince shoulders on his own.
“I just started to make some poor decisions,” Prince said. “In terms of getting the right reads and getting the ball to the right people, I just wasn’t being effective.”
Prince was able to bring the Bruins within field goal range early in the second quarter, completing a 15-play, 65-yard drive capped off by a Kai Forbath 52-yard boot. This was the only score recorded for both teams during the first half.
UCLA’s only touchdown came off an interception by Akeem Ayers in Oregon’s end zone as the Ducks attempted to initiate a drive from their own 2-yard line.
During his first series, Prince threw two consecutive incomplete passes to men in coverage despite the presence of open targets.
His struggles continued as his two turnovers ““ an interception and a fumble ““ in the early minutes of the third quarter led to Duck scores. He was replaced for two series by freshman Richard Brehaut in the fourth quarter. Brehaut went 5-of-10 and compiled 64 yards. He was also sacked four times during his limited time on the field.
While he moved the Bruins to Oregon’s 10-yard line following a 45-yard punt return by Terrence Austin, Brehaut failed to convert on third and fourth down, ultimately resulting in a turnover on downs.
Neuheisel alluded to the youthful composition of the program, which he said poses a challenge to striking a balance between improving the learning curve and winning games.
“It’s just difficult to have young people learning when you’re trying to have a successful football team,” Neuheisel said.
The coach emphasized the importance of breeding players with a foresight for success, a process that will invite adversity and challenges but are nonetheless necessary for improvement.
“For the future of our program we believe that this is the direction we have to take to get these young quarterbacks to come of age,” Neuheisel said.
On that note, Neuheisel disclosed the quarterback position will be reviewed this week as the team prepares to host California Saturday.
“It’s now finding the right pieces and the right combinations to get some magic … and we haven’t arrived yet,” Neuheisel said.