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UCLA forces four turnovers to snap skid, shut out Oregon

Nov 25, 2007 - 1:52 AM PASADENA, California (Ticker) -- Thanks to his defense, UCLA coach Karl Dorrell can say he is bowl eligible.

The Bruins snapped a three-game losing streak Saturday, forcing four turnovers and collecting five sacks in a 16-0 upset of ninth-ranked Oregon in a Pac-10 Conference clash.

Free safety Dennis Keyes had a third-quarter interception which led to the third of Kai Forbath's three field goals. Craig Sheppard rushed for a game-clinching 20-yard touchdown in the final period for UCLA (6-5, 5-3 Pac-10), which became bowl eligible.

"Our defense played tremendous and our special teams play was solid and that was the difference in the game," Dorrell said.

The win also helped the coaching status of Dorrell, who has come under fire for not producing a consistent winner at UCLA.

"We were going to win this game, there was no question in our mind," Dorrell said. "We did what we needed to do and I am very pleased with that."

The fifth-year coach has coached the Bruins to only one season with at least seven wins.

It was the second straight disappointing loss for the Ducks (8-3, 5-3), who have received inconsistent quarterback play after Heisman Trophy candidate Dennis Dixon went down with a season-ending knee injury in a loss to Arizona on November 15.

"The shutout doesn't bother me," said Oregon coach Mike Bellotti of the Ducks being blanked for the first time since a 63-0 loss at Nebraska on September 28, 1985. "The loss bothers me very much."

The Bruins led, 6-0, at halftime on the strength of a 54-yard boot by Forbath in the first quarter and a 31-yarder midway through the second.

"I was very pumped about the long one," said Forbath on his 54-yarder. "I was hoping it was a couple of yards back maybe to get the record, but I was happy. I didn't even see how far it went. Once I kicked it though, I knew it was good."

Forbath's second attempt was set up when cornerback Alterraun Verner intercepted Cody Kempt and returned it to the Oregon 29. Kempt was in at quarterback for Brady Leaf, who was the first of three signal-callers used by the Ducks.

It was the first of three interceptions by the Bruins' defense, which held Oregon to just 148 total yards - easily the lowest total by the Ducks this season.

"We had to come out and play strong with the firepower we have and I think we did," Keyes said. "We played big time D today."

UCLA had the lead entering the third quarter despite starting quarterback Osaar Rasshan going 0-of-7 in the first half.

Ben Olson, who began the season as the Bruins' starter before a knee injury sidelined him against Notre Dame on October 6, came in to start the second half and went 4-of-10 for 64 yards and an interception.

"Olson felt pretty good in pregame," Dorrell said. "He warmed up pretty well, felt comfortable with were he was physically. Osaar struggled in the first half and we felt it was a good time to insert Ben for a series in the second half. He looked good and engineered a couple of drives."

"I felt pretty good," Olsen added. "I'm not 100 percent but I didn't feel any rust. I was a little bit limited physically. I'm not the fastest guy in the world and my knee felt a little sore, but I felt good, comfortable, and confident."

Late in the third quarter, Keyes picked off a pass by Justin Roper and returned it 17 yards to the Oregon 17 to set up Forbath's 28-yard kick, which made it 9-0.

"The coverage was perfectly matched up for that play," Keyes said. "We hoped their play calling would match up and it did on the play. The receiver gave a double move and I was able to jump underneath knowing I had over the top help and the ball came right to me. I was able to get the pick."

"It feels good to know that I had a big impact on the game and help the team out in the win," Forbath said. "Our offense struggled a little bit and I am glad I was able to help out."

Sheppard, who rushed for 49 yards on eight carries, scored from 20 yards out with 5 1/2 minutes left for UCLA, which gained 218 yards - 148 on the ground.

"I don't know if I've ever seen our defense play better and I've been here for 19 years," Bellotti said. "They played inspired football. They gave us a chance to win."

Leaf was 4-of-11 for 46 yards and was sacked twice while Kempt went 2-of-13 for 11 yards and two interceptions.

"The other guys did the best of their abilities," Leaf said. "I was very disappointed not playing but I knew I was hurting the team by staying in. This is one of the most disappointing losses of my career."

Roper finished up 1-of-5 for eight yards and a pick.

"Our offense failed to show up today unfortunately," Bellotti said. "We dropped about six passes and you can't do that. We didn't make enough plays and had too many three and outs. We also had too many turnovers. We can't do that and expect to win. Our team did not support our young quarterbacks."