Posted at 1:34 p.m., Saturday, October 20, 2007
CFB: UCLA beats No. 10 California, goes to 4-0 in Pac-10
Associated Press
PASADENA, Calif. — Nate Longshore's return wasn't enough to get the California Golden Bears back on the winning track. Having Patrick Cowan back did the trick for UCLA.With Cal in UCLA territory, Alterraun Verner intercepted Longshore's pass and sprinted 76 yards to the end zone with 1:33 remaining to seal today's 30-21 victory over the No. 10 Bears.
Kahlil Bell rushed for 142 yards on 22 carries and Kai Forbath kicked three field goals as UCLA (5-2, 4-0 Pac-10) remained perfect in conference play.
The loss almost certainly cost Cal (5-2, 2-2), which came up short at the end for the second week in a row, any chance at the Pac-10 title.
Cowan, back for the Bruins after being sidelined by a knee injury, went 18-for-27 for 161 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Breazell had four receptions for 68 yards, gained 21 yards on three carries, and threw a touchdown pass for UCLA.
The loss overshadowed a big day by the Bears' DeSean Jackson, who had nine receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns.
Longshore, who missed the last game because of a sprained ankle, finished 22-of-34 for 232 yards and three touchdowns, but with three interceptions. After Verner's pick, Dennis Keyes intercepted Longshore's throw in the waning seconds and the Bruins ran out the clock.
The Bruins were coming off a bye that followed their 20-6 upset by Notre Dame. UCLA was down to third-string quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson for most of that game because starter Ben Olson went out with a knee injury and Cowan already out with an injury.
Cal was trying to bounce back from a 31-28 loss to Oregon State that knocked the Bears out of the No. 2 ranking on a day when a victory would have given them the No. 1 spot. With Longshore out, redshirt freshman Kevin Riley filled in and his scramble on the final play of the game allowed the clock to run out and cost the Bears a chance at a tying field goal.
