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Bruins offense makes defense work harder

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UCLA’s offense is making life difficult for the Bruins defense.

UCLA has allowed 205 points this season, 69 immediately following turnovers. The Bruins have turned the ball over 10 times, and nine of them have led directly to points by the opposing team.

Two fumbles and an intercepted pass made the Bruins’ 36-34 victory over California on Saturday a more difficult chore than it needed to be. The Bears converted each of the turnovers — all committed deep in UCLA territory — into touchdowns.

In the past three games, opponents have scored 42 points after UCLA turnovers.

“That hurts,” quarterback Brett Hundley said. “We’ve got to stop that. We have to help the defense.”

Linebacker Eric Kendricks shrugged when informed about the points-after-turnover numbers the past three games.

“We never want to start on our own 20-yard line, but we are a defense, our job is to stop people,” Kendricks said. “We need to hold them there, force a field goal. Or better, block a field goal.”

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Receiver Jordan Payton said: “Thank God for our defense. They have been very patient with us.”

Hundley lost one fumble and had a pass intercepted against California. Running back Paul Perkins also lost a fumble.

The previous week, the Bruins allowed 14 points after turnovers in a 42-30 loss to Oregon.

“It’s frustrating because it is self-inflicted,” Payton said. “We are so talented and so good. It is so clear when we’re out there that, if we just didn’t have turnovers, we’d keep pushing the ball and we’d be just fine.”

The clincher

Before Saturday, UCLA cornerback Marcus Rios was known mostly for his struggle with a fungal infection that nearly cost him his life. After the California game, he was involved in much more pleasant conversations.

Rios clinched the victory with an interception with 51 seconds left.

“I don’t mind talking about what I went through, but it is nice to have something else to talk about,” Rios said. “I never felt as healthy since I have been here as I do now. This is my first real experience. I made a couple mistakes, a lot of mistakes, but I’m going to continue to get better.”

Rios, who played near Berkeley at Elk Grove Cosumnes Oaks High, had a personal audience, with 12 family members and friends at the game.

“I got a lot of text messages afterward,” he said.

No return policy

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Cal went to great lengths to avoid UCLA return specialist Ishmael Adams. The Bears used squib or pooch kicks five times during the game. As a result, UCLA’s average starting point was its 38-yard line.

“Coach [Jim Mora] keeps telling me that’s the ultimate respect,” Adams said. “That’s what I’m going to take it as.”

Adams averages 25.1 yards per kickoff return, including one that went 100-plus yards for a touchdown against Arizona State. He has also returned two interceptions for touchdowns and had a punt return for a touchdown wiped out because of a penalty.

Cal wanted no part of his open-field running ability. The Bears kicked deep only once, and Mossi Johnson returned it 67 yards to the Cal 22-yard line in the third quarter. The return set up a 24-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn.

“We have all kinds of athletic ability,” Adams said. “[Other teams] don’t even know it yet. In due time, we’ll take another one back.”

Arizona time

UCLA and Arizona will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 1, with the game being shown on ESPN.

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