UCLA football goes into halftime trailing Oregon State 17-10.
The Beavers had extra time to prepare for their game against the Bruins with their bye week, and it’s shown.
The No. 19 Bruins struggled offensively for most of the first half, moving the chains for the first time on a roughing the passer penalty on the Beavers with less than five minutes left in the first quarter.
UCLA’s biggest offensive play of the half came with less than one minute left in the second quarter when redshirt freshman quarterback Brett Hundley found redshirt junior receiver Shaquelle Evans for a 65-yard touchdown.
Aside from occasional big plays, UCLA (3-0) has had to fight for every yard it’s gotten, which hasn’t been much. The offensive line has floundered in redshirt senior Jeff Baca’s absence. The Bruins have registered 198 total yards, with just 46 yards coming on the ground.
Hundley has looked inaccurate thus far, throwing multiple passes behind receivers. The Bruins’ inept passing has contributed to their inability to get first downs ““ the team is 1 of 8 on third down conversions.
The UCLA secondary has had problems of its own, with Oregon State receivers often catching the ball with plenty of room to run. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Sean Mannion has had his way with the Bruin defense, racking up 273 yards passing in the first half for the Beavers.
The worst case of blown coverage by the Bruins came in the second quarter when Beaver sophomore receiver Brandin Cooks took a pass 75 yards to the end zone to put the team up 10-3.
Junior outside linebacker Anthony Barr registered his fourth sack of the season, forcing the Beavers to punt. The play came after a long Oregon State touchdown pass was negated by an offensive penalty.
A 22-yard field goal by freshman kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn early in the second quarter gave UCLA it’s first points of the game.
Compiled by Steven Covella, Bruin Sports senior staff.