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California looks to remain atop Pac-10 vs. UCLA

Oct 31, 2006 - 9:47 PM UCLA (4-4) at No. 10 California (7-1), 8:00 pm EST

BERKELEY, California (Ticker) - Tenth-ranked California tries to remain the only team unbeaten in Pac-10 Conference play when it hosts UCLA on Saturday.

The Golden Bears (7-1, 5-0 Pac-10) have not played since a dramatic 31-24 home overtime win over Washington on October 21, their seventh consecutive triumph since a blowout loss at Tennessee to open the season.

California could have been dejected after giving up a 40-yard "Hail Mary" touchdown on the final play of regulation. However, Marshawn Lynch ran for a 22-yard score to begin overtime and Desmond Bishop ended the game with an interception.

Lynch ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns despite playing on a pair of injured ankles for the Bears, who sit a game ahead of Southern California atop the league standings following the Trojans' stunning loss at Oregon State last weekend. Cal visits USC on November 18 for a likely Rose Bowl berth.

UCLA (4-4, 2-3) has lost three straight games, including a 37-15 home setback to Washington State last Saturday.

Making his third start in place of the injured Ben Olson, Patrick Cowan completed 17-of-37 passes for 252 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in the defeat.

The teams have split their last six meetings, with UCLA posting a 47-40 home win last year.