Beavers upended by Bruins
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -- Marcus Everett caught a 45-yard pass from Patrick Cowan for the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter, helping UCLA defeat Oregon State 25-7 Saturday night and keep its bowl hopes alive.
The Bruins (5-5, 3-4 Pac-10), who snapped a four-game losing streak despite racking up 13 penalties for 155 yards, could salvage a bowl bid with a victory at Arizona State next week. They end the regular season at home against No. 7 Southern California.
Advertisement
The Beavers (6-4, 4-3), who play a 13-game schedule, would have become bowl eligible with their fifth consecutive victory. Their winning streak included a 33-31 upset of USC on Oct. 28.
Oregon State's Matt Moore, who transferred from UCLA after losing the starting job in 2003, was sacked five times -- including twice in the fourth quarter. He was 16-of-28 for 159 yards and no touchdowns.
The defensive duo of Justin Hickman and Bruce Davis teamed up against Moore, with Hickman getting a sack and Davis recovering a fumble with 5 1/2 minutes left in the game
Justin Medlock, who came into the game tied for the NCAA lead with 19 field goals, made kicks of 40 and 42 yards in the second quarter, when UCLA trailed 7-6. He added two more in the fourth -- from 25 and 24 yards -- that extended the Bruins' lead to 25-7.
UCLA stopped Oregon State's first drive of the third quarter when Yvenson Bernard was tackled for a 3-yard loss on fourth down.
The Bruins had barely regained the ball when Cowan found Everett, who ran into the end zone ahead of Oregon State defender Al Afalava on a one-play possession that lasted 15 seconds and put the Bruins ahead 13-7.
Oregon State's Alexis Serna, the fourth-best kicker in the nation, missed a 30-yard field goal wide left. On their next possession, the Beavers fumbled for the third time.
The Bruins maintained their momentum into the fourth quarter, with Everett catching an 11-yard TD pass from Cowan for a 19-7 lead. The 2-point conversion failed when Cowan's pass was incomplete to Logan Paulsen.
Bernard scored up the middle for the Beavers' lone touchdown in the second quarter. He was their leading rusher with 16 carries for 54 yards and leading receiver with five catches for 41 yards.
Cowan was 12-of-23 for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
Chris Markey led UCLA with 23 carries for 84 yards. Everett caught three passes for 64 yards and both touchdowns.