UCLA & Prince roll over the Cougars

UCLA Bruins 2009 ... Head Coach: Rick Neuheisel

2009 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 7-5
2009 Record: 5-5

9/5 San Diego St W 33-14
9/12 at Tennessee W 19-15
9/19 Kansas St W 23-9
9/26 OPEN DATE
10/3 at Stanford L 24-16
10/10 Oregon L 24-10
10/17 California L 45-26
10/24 at Arizona L 27-13
10/31 at Oregon St L 26-19
11/7 Washington W 24-23
11/14 at Wash St W 43-7
11/21 Arizona St
11/28 at USC

2008 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 6-6
2008 Record: 4-8

Sept. 1 Tennessee W 27-24 OT
Sept. 6 OPEN DATE
Sept. 13 at BYU L 59-0
Sept. 20 Arizona L 31-10
Sept. 27 Fresno State L 36-31
Oct. 4 Washington State W 28-3
Oct. 11 at Oregon L 31-24
Oct. 18 Stanford W 23-20
Oct. 25 at California L 41-20
Nov. 1 OPEN DATE
Nov. 8 Oregon State L 34-6
Nov. 15 at Washington W 27-7
Nov. 22 OPEN DATE
Nov. 28 at Arizona State L 34-9
Dec. 6 USC L 28-7

UCLA Bruins

Nov. 14
UCLA 43 … at Washington State 7
UCLA picked off Marshall Lobbestael on Wazzu’s first three possessions leading to a 26-0 halftime lead and a 29-0 lead before the Cougars finally got on the board on a 46-yard Jeffrey Solomon touchdown catch. Kevin Prince threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Taylor Embree and ran for a 68-yard score, and Chane Moline ran for scores from two, seven, and 16 yards away in the easy win. UCLA outgained Wazzu 556 yards to 181.
Player of the Game: UCLA QB Kevin Prince completed 27-of-40 passes for 314 yards and a touchdown, and he ran five times for 76 yards and a score.
Washington State: Passing: Kevin Lopina, 7-14, 102 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Dwight Tardy, 14-41, Receiving: Jeffrey Solomon, 2-54, 1 TD
UCLA: Passing: Kevin Prince, 27-40, 314 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Derrick Coleman, 12-50, Receiving: Chane Moline, 7-60
What It All Means: The Bruins were able to keep bowl hopes alive with the blowout win, and it showed that yes, the team really can blow out the bad teams and the offense really does work. Now the Bruins need to beat Arizona State or USC to get a 13th games, which would be a major accomplishment considering the rocky five-game losing stretch. The play of QB Kevin Lopina, and the strong D, helped this week by Akeem Ayers, who made four tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions, is coming through. But that was against Washington State. It’s going to take some work to win one of the last two.

Nov. 7
at UCLA 24 … Washington 23
Kevin Craft connected with Terrence Austin for a juggling 29-yard touchdown and Kai Forbath hit a 27-yard field goal as UCLA scored the final ten points of the game for the win. Washington had its chances late, but Rahim Moore snuffed out a final drive with an interception. The Huskies got three Erik Folk field goals and two Jermaine Kearse touchdown catches from 17 and 34 yards away, while the Bruins got first quarter scores on a one-yard Cory Harkey catch and a one-yard Chane Moline run.
Player of the Game: UCLA QBs Kevin Craft and Kevin Prince combined to complete 23-of-31 passes for 371 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions.
Washington: Passing: Jake Locker, 23-40, 235 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Chris Polk, 15-132, Receiving: Jermaine Kearse, 7-114, 2 TD
UCLA: Passing: Kevin Prince, 13-17, 212 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Derrick Coleman, 13-49, Receiving: Nelson Rosario, 7-111 
What It All Means: UCLA finally broke its ugly five-game losing streak and the start to the Pac 10 season, and while it wasn’t always pretty, and it required some late heroics, it was a win. The passing game kicked in with Kevin Craft stepping in for a banged up Kevin Prince, who suffered a head-to-head collision and was out. The running game is still struggling and the O line isn’t controlling games, but for now, the slide has stopped with the scrimmage against Washington State coming up. It’ll take a split against Arizona State and USC to get to a bowl.

Oct. 31
at Oregon State 26 … UCLA 19
Oregon State appeared to be cruising to an easy win with a 16-0 halftime lead with three of Justin Kahut’s four field goals on the day and a 14-yard touchdown pass from RB Jacquizz Rodgers to Brady Camp. But UCLA roared back in the final nine minutes with Nelson Rosario catching a 58-yard touchdown pass and Taylor Embree scoring from seven yards out to tie it at 19 with just over two minutes to play. But James Rodgers put the game away with a 17-yard touchdown run with 44 seconds to play. UCLA had one last shot, but the drive stalled.
Player of the Game: Oregon State RB Jacquizz Rodgers ran 24 times for 112 yards, caught seven passes for 92 yards, and threw a 14-yard touchdown pass.
UCLA: Passing: Kevin Prince, 22-34, 323 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Johnathan Franklin, 14-37, Receiving: Nelson Rosario, 6-152, 1 TD
Oregon State: Passing: Sean Canfield, 25-34, 305 yds
Rushing: Jacquizz Rodgers, 24-112, Receiving: James Rodgers, 10-106
What It All Means: UCLA showed a spark of life on offense, even if it was for the final few minutes of the fourth quarter. For an attack that hasn’t done anything this year, getting 323 passing yards from Kevin Prince is meaningful, but the defense that was so strong at times couldn’t come up when needed in the final moments. It took trick plays for Oregon State to get two touchdowns, but that doesn’t make the loss any better. Fortunately, Washington and Washington State are up next. A bowl game is still possible, but the offense has to keep up the momentum and the defense has to be stiffer. 

Oct. 24
at Arizona 27 … UCLA 13
Arizona turned the ball over five times, but managed to get by the Bruins with two Nick Foles touchdown passes to Juron Carter, including a 41-yarder to start the scoring. UCLA couldn’t take full advantage of all the breaks with two Kai Forbath field goals before the defense finally gave the team a touchdown on a Tony Dye 28-yard fumble return for a score. But Arizona was able to put the game out of reach late in the third on a six-yard Nick Booth run. The Bruins managed just 211 yards of total offense.
Player of the Game: Arizona S Cam Nelson made six tackles, two sacks, broke up a pass, and forced two fumbles
UCLA: Passing: Kevin Craft, 6-17, 75 yds
Rushing: Johnathan Franklin, 9-36, Receiving: Taylor Embree, 3-20
Arizona: Passing: Nick Foles, 22-34, 247 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Kealo Antolin, 16-77, Receiving: Terrell Turner, 5-55
What It All Means: UCLA is trying to find something, anything that works, and none of the quarterback options are producing. Kevin Prince, Kevin Craft, and Richard Brehaut were all thrown to the Arizona wolves, and they all stunk. On the plus side, PK Kai Forbath continues to kick at an All-America level, but the offense failed to get in the end zone even with five takeaways coming from the defense. 211 yards of total offense aren’t going to get it done in Pac 10 play. 

Oct. 17
California 45 … at UCLA 26
In a wild game with several home runs, Cal came up with more of them as Shane Vereen started off the scoring with a 42-yard touchdown run and a 43-yard scoring play from Marvin Jones. But it was Jahvid Best who stole the show taking a pass 51 yards for a score in the second quarter and adding a 93-yard touchdown run. Jones added a 24-yard touchdown catch to help Cal to a 35-20 halftime lead, and the defense did the rest holding UCLA to three field goals after a Johnathan Franklin 74-yard touchdown run, and with Mychal Kendricks taking an interception 68 yards for a game-sealing score.
Player of the Game: California RB Jahvid Best ran 18 times for 102 yards and a score and caught two passes for 51 yards and a touchdown.
UCLA: Passing: Kevin Prince, 21-41, 311 yds
Rushing: Johnathan Franklin, 11-101, 2 TD, Receiving: Logan Paulsen, 5-96
California: Passing: Kevin Riley, 14-23, 205 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Shane Vereen, 17-154, 1 TD, Receiving: Marvin Jones, 4-89, 2 TD
What It All Means: Kevin Prince got to chuck it around a little bit and he threw for 311 yards and a score, but the offense sputtered in the second half when it had its chances. The Bruins marched well, but settled for four field goals and blew it late with Prince throwing a pick six to all but end the game. If UCLA is going to win at Arizona or Oregon State next week, the defense has to be back to being the UCLA defense. Cal is going to light up most teams, but so will the Wildcats and Beavers. The Bruins don’t have a consistent enough attack to keep up.

Oct. 10
Oregon 24 … at UCLA 10
UCLA held a 3-0 halftime lead, and then it was all Oregon as Kenjon Barner took the second half kickoff 100 yards for a score, Talmadge Jackson returned an interception 32 yards for a score, and Jeff Maehl caught a pass for a 20-yard touchdown as Oregon scored 21 points in less than four minutes. UCLA’s offense sputtered, but the defense came up with a touchdown on a brilliant interception in the end zone by Akeem Ayers for a score. UCLA finished with just 211 yards of offense.
Player of the Game: Oregon RB LaMichael James ran 20 times for 152 yards, and he caught two passes for eight yards.
UCLA: Passing: Kevin Prince, 13-25, 81 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Johnathan Franklin, 9-32, Receiving: Taylor Embree, 5-50
Oregon: Passing: Nate Costa, 9-17, 82 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: LaMichael James 20-152, Receiving: Ed Dickson, 3-24
What It All Means: The offense continues to be awful. The hope was that the return of Kevin Prince was going to make a big difference, but he only completed 13-of-25 passes for 81 yards and didn’t get any help from the offensive line or the running game. There’s simply no firepower, and while the defense is doing its part, it’s not going to take too many points to beat the Bruins. To have a shot at beating Cal, the defense is going to have to manufacture scores, or the special teams are going to have to be even better to make up for the offense’s problems. The O needs to figure out one thing, or even one player, it can rely on.

Oct. 3
at Stanford 24 … UCLA 16
Toby Gerhart ran for three short touchdown runs on the way to a 24-6 lead, and then Stanford held on as Johnathan Franklin ran for a one-yard score and Kai Forbath hit one of his three field goals in the fourth quarter. The Bruins only managed 299 yards of total offense and converted just 2-of-10 third down chances.
Player of the Game: Stanford RB Toby Gerhart ran 29 times for 134 yards and three touchdowns, and hr caught two passes for 24 yards.
UCLA: Passing: Kevin Craft, 22-34, 204 yds
Rushing: Johnathan Franklin, 14-58, 1 TD, Receiving: Taylor Embree, 4-33
Stanford: Passing: Andrew Luck, 14-20, 198 yds
Rushing: Toby Gerhart, 29-134, 3 TD, Receiving: Ryan Whalen, 6-118 
What It All Means: The offense is going to struggle all season long and it’s going to be tough to manufacture points, so the defense has to win games for the Bruins. Losing star pick-off artist, Rahim Moore, to a concussion is a big problem, but the bigger issue for the defense was the way it got rumbled on by Stanford’s Toby Gerhart. With Oregon and its hot ground game up next, followed up by a date with Jahvid Best and California, the run D that has been so good all year is a concern after allowing 174 yards to the Cardinal. On offense, the UCLA running game is trying to find something with Johnathan Franklin, but it’s not happening.

Sept. 12
UCLA 19 ... at Tennessee 15
Kai Forbath hit four field goals and Kevin Prince connected with Chane Moline for a 12-yard score as UCLA stunned a mistake-filled Tennessee. The Vols turned it over four times, but was able to rally late with a Daniel Lincoln's second field goal of the game and a sack of Kevin Prince for a safety. It wasn't enough as the Vols were stuffed late by the Bruin defense and finished with just 208 yards with 98 on the ground.
Player of the Game: UCLA LB Reggie Carter made 14 tackles and a tackle for loss
Tennessee: Passing: Jonathan Crompton, 13-26, 93 yds, 3 INT
Rushing: Montario Hardesty, 26-89, 1 TD, Receiving: Quintin Hancock, 5-58
UCLA: Passing: Kevin Prince, 11-23, 101 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Jonathan Franklin, 17-80, Receiving: Logan Pausen, 2-22
What It All Means: He's out for a few weeks after getting smacked in the face, but QB Kevin Prince put together a great game and showed tremendous toughness. He only completed 11-of-23 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown, but he didn't make any mistakes while Tennessee QB Jonathan Crompton had a nightmare of an afternoon. There were 186 yards of total offense and the Bruins have a long way to go on offense, especially with Prince out, but with a winnable game against Kansas State coming up, 3-0 wouldn't be anything to throw back.

Sept. 5
at UCLA 33 ... San Diego State 14
Rahim Moore intercepted three passes and Kevin Prince threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Terrence Austin as UCLA got past San Diego State in the debut of new Aztec head coach, Brady Hoke. Ryan Lindley threw two touchdown passes for SDSU in the first half, including a 78-yarder to Vincent Brown, but the offense failed to score in the second half while UCLA, down 14-3, scored the final 30 points punctuated by a 70-yard blocked field goal for a score from Alterraun Verner.
Player of the Game: UCLA's Rahim Moore made one tackle, broke up a pass, and intercepted three passes.
San Diego State: Passing: Ryan Lindley, 18-45, 238 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Brandon Sullivan, 9-25, Receiving: Vincent Brown, 5-139, 1 TD
UCLA: Passing: Kevin Prince, 18-29, 176 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Derrick Coleman, 4-69, 1 TD, Receiving: Taylor Embree, 6-97
What It All Means: UCLA might have decided on Kevin Prince at quarterback, but the offense still struggled to find its consistency. The defense helped set up the offense, thanks to Rahim Moore becoming one of San Diego State's favorite targets, and the O took advantage. Prince wasn't bad, and he showed signs of potentially becoming a steady playmaker, but he can't throw two interceptions at Tennessee and he'll have get off to a hot start. Defensively, the big problem could be the pass rush that didn't do enough to get to SDSU's Ryan Lindley.