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UCLA avenges last loss with upset over California

Oct 21, 2007 - 1:15 AM PASADENA, California (Ticker) -- Still stinging from a loss against winless Notre Dame two weeks ago, UCLA turned to its running game and defense to remain undefeated in the Pac-10 Conference.

Kahlil Bell ran for 142 yards and cornerback Alterraun Verner returned his second interception of the game 76 yards for a touchdown as the Bruins upset 10th-ranked California, 30-21, on Saturday.

UCLA (5-2, 4-0 Pac-10) appeared to be gaining momentum after suffering a 44-6 loss at Utah on September 15 thanks to conference wins over Washington and Oregon State.

However, Notre Dame held the Bruins to 46 yards rushing and 140 yards total in a poor showing on October 6.

Bell, who was held to 64 yards rushing in the loss to the Fighting Irish, matched that number on his first run of the second quarter which helped set UCLA up for its first TD drive.

One play later, quarterback Patrick Cowan found Logan Paulsen from two yards out to put the Bruins ahead, 10-7. Cowan, who was starting in place of the injured Ben Olsen, finished 18-of-27 for 186 yards and one TD.

The Bruins' defense, which did not intercept California (5-1, 2-2) quarterback Nate Longshore in the first half, made life miserable for him after that.

"We studied them and that was an advantage - we had an extra week," UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said. "We tried to get to know their offense as good as we could. It was good to see him (Verner) recognize in that critical down what they wanted to do. He made a great play."

The junior, who entered the contest with just two interceptions this season, was forced into three mistakes in the second half, including Verner's return that handed the Bruins a 30-21 advantage.

"We obviously weren't prepared as we needed to be," Longshore said. "The turnovers killed us. The interceptions were costly. We need to feel the pain a little bit of this loss and then come back to work tomorrow."

Longshore completed 22-of-34 for 232 yards and three TDs to go along with his three interceptions.

For Verner, it was his third career interception return for a touchdown, tying him with three others for the school record.

"When the play came, I knew it was coming," Verner said. "They had (run) that play a couple of times today. So I knew something was going on. When he (California receiver DeSean Jackson) came off the ball, I got a sense what was going to happen.

"I knew I could make it to the end zone. I didn't think about who was in front of me. I knew I had clear sailing."

After Longshore hit Jackson for the first of the junior receiver's two TD catches to give California a 14-10 lead midway through the second period, UCLA kicker Kai Forbath converted the first of his three field goals to narrow the deficit to 14-13 going into half.

UCLA pulled ahead early in the third quarter, opening the second half with a 10-play, 80-yard TD drive capped by wide receiver Brandon Breazell's 29-yard scoring pass off an end-around play to Dominique Johnson in the back of the end zone.

Johnson outjumped California safety Thomas DeCoud for the ball, giving the Bruins a 20-14 lead that stood most of the period.

Following Jackson's second TD reception at the 2:06 mark of the third period that allowed California to take a 21-20 lead, UCLA scored twice in the final 3:08 to pull off the upset.

Forbath capped an 11-play, 42-yard drive to move UCLA ahead 23-21.

However, just as it looked as if the Golden Bears were putting themselves into position to retake the lead after Jimmy Rotstein's 56-yard kick return, Verner stepped in front of an out pattern to put the game safely out of reach.

"They did a good job with two guys on me," Jackson said. "Nate did a good job all day. There was no where else to go on that play."

The loss ruined a fine performance from Jackson, who finished with nine catches for 136 yards.

It also likely crushed any chance that the Bears had at climbing back in to Bowl Championship Series, especially after their heartbreaking defeat last week at home to Oregon State.

"We have stumbled two weeks in a row now," California coach Jeff Tedford said. "We just have to regroup. We are still going to take it one week at a time. We are not going to just pack it in."