[size=+2]UCLA (0-3) @ #6 Oregon State (3-0)[/size]
Corvallis, OR - Every team that UCLA has played so far this season is currently still undefeated, including the #2 Texas Longhorns who whipped the Bruins 41-10 in Austin last week. So Rick Neuheisel's Bruins are very hungry for a win. But it looked like a daunting task for UCLA to get its first win at Reser Stadium against the #6 Oregon State Beavers. UCLA would be greeted with not only the hostile crowd but a rainstorm that brought with it heavy showers. Just a typical day in the northwest.
UCLA and QB Nick Crissman seemed to be affected by the hostile environment as they went a quick three-and-out. Oregon State had limited success early on but were stalled at the UCLA 45-yard line. But on 4th-and-one, Mike Riley decided to go for it and QB Ryan Katz snuck across for an easy 1st down to keep the opening possession alive. However, the Bruins would hold tight in the red zone with a momentum turning goal line stand, forcing the Beavers to settle for a 19-yard chipshot to go up
3-0.
Despite the goal line stop, UCLA quickly gave up whatever momentum they had gained when QB Nick Crissman was picked off by OSU OLB Dwight Roberson.
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OSU OLB Dwight Roberson picks off UCLA QB Nick Crissman.[/size]
Just like most good teams do, the Beavers took advantage of the turnover when HB Ryan McCants scored on an outside run of six yards to suddenly give OSU a
10-0 lead.
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OSU HB Ryan McCants scores on a 6-yard run to the outside.[/size]
As the 2nd quarter opened, the Bruins looked like they had finally figured out something offensively but the drive would stall at midfield. The Bruins would be forced to punt. The Beavers could not do much better as they were also symied on offense. UCLA would get a bit of a running game going on their next possession, but would be stalled at the OSU 41-yard line. Rick Neuheisel decided to go for it and it paid off when HB Jonathan Franklin easily got it up the middle to keep the drive alive. As a result, the Bruins would finish off a long, 14-play drive with HB Milton Knox scoring on a 4-yard TD scamper to put UCLA on the board, down
10-7.
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UCLA HB Milton Knox scores on a 4-yard TD scamper.[/size]
Oregon State responded with Ryan Katz leading a pretty two-minute drill and hitting WR Reggied Dunn over the middle in the red zone. Dunn scurried toward the end zone but was tackled right at the goal line. Reser Stadium, Dunn, and the players waited for the call. Touchdown. On the replay it sure looked like Dunn was tackled short of the goal line, but the Beavers quickly kicked the extra point to prevent a reversal so officially it was a 13-yard TD reception for Reggie Dunn to put Oregon State ahead
17-7. Neuheisel was livid at the officials for not at least reviewing it but did not want to burn a timeout to review it.
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OSU WR Reggie Dunn catches what would become a controversial 13-yard TD reception.[/size]
UCLA QB Nick Crissman would counter with an impressive two-minute drill of his own that would allow the Bruins to tack on a 43-yard field goal as the clock ticked triple-zero to make it
17-10 OSU at halftime.
The Beavers would not continue where they had left off as QB Ryan Katz just missed WR Darrell Catchings on a deep pass in the corner of the end zone that just was out of reach. Then Katz missed a wide open Jams Rodgers over on a crossing route that almost certainly he could have taken to the house. As a result, OSU would find themselves with another 4th-and-short in UCLA territory. Again, Mike Riley decided to take the risk rather than attempting a long field goal. Katz found TE Brady Camp open over the middle but the ball was knocked down at the line as the Bruins celebrated another big stop.
Beaver fans came to life, knowing the importance of the situation but the Bruins ignored noise and marched right down the field with ease. But UCLA would be held at the 3-yard line with a 4th-and-one facing them. Neuheisel decided to go for it and forego an easy field goal. The risk paid off when HB Milton Knox was able to just get just enough up the gut. Then HB Jonathan Franklin walked it for an easy 2-yard TD to cap off an impressive 12-play drive to tie the game
17-17.
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UCLA HB Jonathan Franklin walks in for a 2-yard TD.[/size]
Despite being at home, all of the momentum was now with UCLA and the Beavers suddenly were in a funk offensively as they had an ugly three-and-out. UCLA was now in a position to take the lead but OSU CB James Dockery came up with a fantastic interception to put OSU back into the driver seat.
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OSU CB James Dockery makes a fantastic interception.[/size]
But Oregon State was unable to capitalize on the opportunity as they had an even uglier three-and-out that saw them forced to punt with a 4th-and-20. Heading into the 4th quarter, the Bruins were putting together another methodical drive. OSU would finally hold but UCLA was in position to attempt a 41-yard field goal which was booted right down the pipe to put UCLA on top
20-17.
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UCLA is able to take the lead with a 41-yard field goal.[/size]
On the ensuing kickoff, James Rodgers was able to spin out of trouble and found nothing but green in front of him as Reser roared. It looked like he was going to house it but out of nowhere UCLA sophomore SS Lester White was able to save a touchdown by taking down Rodgers at the 2-yard line. But on the next play, HB Ryan McCants struck paydirt with a 2-yard TD run to regain the lead for Oregon State just like that.
24-20.
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OSU James Rodgers comes up just short on a 92-yard kick return, but it sets up a 2-yard TD run for HB Ryan McCants.[/size]
The kick return completely changed the game around. UCLA struggled and was now forced to punt with only 3:54 remaining in the game. On the ensuing possession for the Beavers, McCants got a toss to the right, ran right through junior SS Rashad Day, and took it 66 yards to the house to make it
31-20 OSU with 2:24 left to go.
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OSU HB Ryan McCants with a huge 66-yard TD run.[/size]
Any bid for an upset came to an end when Crissman threw his third interception as OSU SS Cameron Collins came up with the pick to put this one away for Oregon State.
UCLA 20
QB Nick Crissman: 27-44, 266 yds, 3 int
HB Jonathan Franklin: 19 car, 78 yds, td
WR Taylor Embree: 6 rec, 82 yds
SS Rashad Day: 7 tkl, 4 tfl, sk, ff
#6 Oregon State 31
QB Ryan Katz: 11-20, 146 yds, td
HB Ryan McCants: 27 car, 169 yds, 3 td
WR Reggie Dunn: 4 rec, 52 yds, td
MLB David Pa'aluhi: 11 tkl, tfl