UCLA running back Paul Perkins is quick to praise offensive line

When UCLA running back Paul Perkins talks about football, he rarely omits a mention, and more, about the Bruins’ offensive line.

Perkins is four yards shy of becoming the 14th UCLA player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.

“That’s a testament to the offensive line and the job they are doing every day,” Perkins said. “I think it’s a big deal for them. They keep reminding me I’m four yards short.”

Perkins has made important contributions the last two games toward keeping UCLA’s slim Pac-12 Conference title hopes alive. He scored two touchdowns on screen passes in UCLA’s 36-34 victory over California. He had two touchdown runs in the Bruins’ 40-37 two-overtime victory over Colorado.

Against Colorado, Perkins took off on a 92-yard run on the Bruins’ first play. Only one touchdown run in UCLA’s football history was longer. It also marked a personal milestone of sorts.

The one thing Perkins had yet to show this season was see-ya-later speed. For example, against Texas he was caught from behind on an 80-yard run.

This time, he cut up through a big hole on a sweep and found an open field. The only more impressive charge at Folsom Field on Saturday was when Ralphie, Colorado’s buffalo mascot, did his pregame sprint around the field.

“I was just looking [up field],” Perkins said. “I kept my eyes on our locker room and ran.”

And that was just the start of Perkins’ stampede. He finished with 180 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown run.

“I need to provide explosive plays, keep second down manageable and get the crucial third-and-short runs to move the sticks,” Perkins said. He added: “It’s the guys up front that are making that possible.”

Sense of urgency

UCLA Coach Jim Mora would not use the “must-win” phrase when talking about the Bruins’ game Saturday night against Arizona at the Rose Bowl.

“There is an enhanced sense of urgency,” was as far as he would go.

But defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes did.

“It’s definitely a do-or-die week,” Vanderdoes said.

Arizona has one loss in Pac-12 play. UCLA has two. Another would leave the Bruins two games off the South Division lead with three games remaining. Utah and Arizona State, which play each other Saturday, also have one conference loss.

Mora said coaches were pushing the team hard during practice.

“I think there is a little different mindset,” Mora said. “We want less tolerance for errors. We’re trying to be perfect in practice so when you get to the game you can play a little more fearless. We were always doing that, but it’s like, ‘enough.’ I’m sure every [UCLA fan] out there is saying that, ‘enough.’ ”

Injury update

After sitting out four games because of an injured ankle, guard Alex Redmond played some against Colorado. Mora said tackle Simon Goines, who has yet to play this season while recovering from a knee injury, is ready as well.

They would give the Bruins more depth along the line.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to make a change, but it gives us flexibility,” Mora said.

Receiver Thomas Duarte, who has a hamstring injury, will again be a game-time decision. He was limited to some individual work Tuesday.