Bruins’ Youth Picks On the Utes

Here’s what freshman cornerback Alterraun Verner knew going into UCLA’s game against Utah.

“I knew they’d challenge me, especially it being my first college game,” Verner said. “I knew they’d try to pick on me.”

Here’s what the 17-year-old from Lakewood Mayfair High found out later.

Even after he got the best of the Utes by picking off a second-quarter pass and returning it 34 yards for a touchdown, defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker let him know he’d still be in the Utah quarterbacks’ sights.

“When I came off, Coach Walker was telling me, ‘You’ve got to be ready, they’ll probably come right back at you,’ ” Verner said.

They did, and Verner gave up a 34-yard reception after he fell on a play as Utah drove for a field goal on the next possession.

It was one of few stumbles for Verner, a youngster thrust into the mix against a notoriously wide-open Utah offense.

With Verner playing much of the game as the third corner against Utah’s multiple-receiver sets, a UCLA team that ranked 108th nationally in scoring defense last season held Utah to its lowest scoring output since 2003 in a 31-10 season-opening victory at the Rose Bowl.

Cornerback Trey Brown, the veteran of a UCLA secondary that had only two starters returning, credited the defense’s determination to do better, along with the direction of Walker, the former Washington Redskins secondary coach hired to replace Larry Kerr after last year’s defensive shortcomings.

“We were disappointed with how our defense played even though we were 10-2,” said Brown, who had UCLA’s other interception. “With Coach Walker, there’s a different mind-set. We’re going to get after it. Not be too soft, not sit back.”

That’s Verner for you.

“He hasn’t played like a freshman since he got here,” safety Dennis Keyes said. “He’s a very good player, a very smart player.”

Verner -- who returned an interception 102 yards for a touchdown in high school -- gave UCLA a 14-7 lead Saturday when he stepped in front of a receiver and took backup quarterback Tommy Grady’s telegraphed pass in for a touchdown.

It was the first interception return for a touchdown by a true freshman at UCLA since 1989, when Carlton Gray returned one 65 yards against Washington.

“I know a little about him,” said Verner, who also recovered a fumble in the closing minutes. “He was an All-American, and some people think he was the best corner ever to come through UCLA.”

Verner -- called Altie or Al for short -- also knows something about what went on at UCLA last season.

“Most people gave us little respect after last year,” he said. “They said we gave up a lot of points and can’t stop the run. Coach Walker has done a great job, but there’s still a lot to do.”

It might have surprised some to see Verner on the field as much as he was, but UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell expected it, particularly after some training camp injuries among the defensive backs.

“We did anticipate him playing as much as he played, just because Utah plays a four- and five-wide receiver offense,” Dorrell said. “For a true freshman, he came up with some big plays.

“He knows teams are going to pick on him a little bit. He’s just 17 years old, and a lot wiser than his age. We call him ‘Little Old Man.’ ”

So let other teams pick on him.

“Even in practice they try to come at me because I’m a freshman,” Verner said.

“I can’t wait for the next 11 games -- 12 games, because we’d like to play in a bowl game.”

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robyn.norwood@latimes.com