UCLA’s ‘pistol’ offense shows promise

Reporting from Manhattan, Kan. — 

UCLA’s first game with the “pistol” offense showed promise.

The Bruins ran the ball better, finishing with 193 yards, and had the Kansas State defense on its heels at times in a 31-22 loss to the Wildcats.

That was tempered by the fact that when the Bruins had the end zone in their sights, they couldn’t quite pull the trigger and settled for field goals.

“I saw enough good things to believe there is some reason for optimism,” Coach Rick Neuheisel said.

The Bruins, who ranked 97th nationally in rushing last season, moved the ball on the ground, though 43 of their rushing yards came on a reverse by wide receiver Josh Smith.

Johnathan Franklin had a team-high 60 yards.

But it was the passing game that stalled drives. Quarterback Kevin Prince, who has practiced little because of a torn back muscle, was off target at times, but UCLA receivers also had several drops.

“It goes both ways,” said Prince, who said his back felt fine. “The receivers have to catch the ball and I have to put the ball on the money.”

Three times UCLA had the ball inside the Kansas State 30-yard line and ended up with Kai Forbath field goals.

Forbath back in the swing

Forbath, who has battled a groin injury throughout training camp, was his normal consistent self, with field goals of 44, 35 and 42 yards, and has made 40 consecutive attempts inside of 50 yards.

“It felt good before the game,” Forbath said. “We decided I could kick if we stayed within certain range, inside 40 without the wind and maybe a little longer with it.”

Upon further review

The fumble Prince lost at the Kansas State 41, which killed a fourth quarter drive with the Bruins trailing, 17-13, was an instant replay decision. The play was blown dead on the field, then overturned.

“It’s tough, with the game going as fast as it does, but I thought I was down,” Prince said. “That’s why when the ball came out, I didn’t really scramble after it.”

Two-point try

Kansas State defensive back David Garrett kept the Bruins from tying the score, 24-24, when he tipped Prince’s pass intended for Taylor Embree on a two-point conversion try with 44 seconds left.

“We were trying to get Taylor loose over the middle, but it got clogged up,” Prince said. “I rolled out and thought about running, but I didn’t think I’d make it. Give them credit. The guy made a nice deflection.”

Tackling problems

Neuheisel shouldered some of the blame for his team’s trouble tackling Saturday. The Bruins have not tackled in practice since their scrimmage on Aug. 21, when center Kai Maiava suffered a broken ankle.

“The one thing I wonder about is if I was right to go away from the tackling,” Neuheisel said. “I know why I did it, but tackling is a skill. We didn’t play well enough in that department to win the game.”

Quick hits

Safety Tony Dye led the Bruins with 15 tackles. Linebacker Akeem Ayers had 11 tackles and also recovered two fumbles. … Kansas State has won 21 consecutive home openers.

chris.foster@latimes.com

twitter.com/cfosterlatimes