UCLA Is Still Standing

The stands came after all the weeks of being knocked down. By youth, by injury, by inability to line up properly, even by coaches who had juggled the lineup and challenged them in team meetings, if being shown up is what it would take to inspire production.

But there was the UCLA defense Saturday afternoon, leading the 28-16 victory over California at Memorial Stadium, making up for the struggles of the offense.

“It’s all a compliment to these kids,” defensive line coach Terry Tumey said. “They had always been trying to contribute. Today was a day when we contributed a little more than we had before.”

A lot more, actually.

Defensive end Kenyon Coleman recorded the first sacks by a Bruin lineman all season, getting two. But it was the two goal-line stands, one at the end of the first half that made sure the momentum didn’t change and one late in the third quarter that made sure the season didn’t change, that kept the winning streak alive at 16. UCLA (6-0, 4-0 in Pacific 10) maintained its spot as the second-ranked team in the nation because its defense was first rate.

The damage by the Cal offense?

The Bears (4-3, 2-2) scored on a drive that started on the UCLA two-yard line, after Cade McNown had fumbled. The Bears scored on a safety, when fullback Durell Price was tackled in the end zone by Sekou Sanyika. And the Bears scored on a two-yard toss from Justin Vedder to Joel Young, wide open in the back of the end zone to culminate a 52-yard drive, the only points that could truly be hung on the Bruin defense.

“They may be one of the worst offenses in the Pac-10,” Coleman said, “but our defense still came up big.”

The oft-maligned part of the oft-praised Bruins had not been without its bright moments--a week earlier, linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo got two sacks and cornerback Ryan Roques got an interception on the same Oregon overtime possession to silence a potent offense--but this went beyond anything that had come before. That it came against a team averaging only 16.5 points and 72.5 rushing yards a game coming in was the only asterisk, and even that was slight considering the situations.

Late in the first half, Cal trailed, 21-9, but had first and goal from the five. A four-yard run by Marcus Fields put the ball on the one, and put the Bruins on the brink of suffering a blow, aware that a score would have been a huge lift for the Bears heading into the break.

On second down, Joshua White went up the middle. Linebacker Robert Thomas met him there with his helmet and caused a fumble. Larry Atkins recovered for the Bruins with 34 seconds left, preserving the lead.

“It was a huge play in the football game,” UCLA Coach Bob Toledo said. “It could have given them momentum. It gave us momentum.”

It was still 21-9 when Cal threatened again in the third quarter, this time getting first and goal from the two. Fields tried left guard and was stopped by Santi Hall for no gain. Vedder threw to Corey Smith in the end zone, and Smith dropped the ball, offering the Bruins the only break they would need. A pitch to Fields gained one.

It was fourth and one. Or something like that.

“It had to be like a foot away,” nose guard Ken Kocher said. “Maybe two feet. It was really close. It was scary.”

It was great.

“That’s what you live for,” linebacker Ryan Nece said. “The emotions, the adrenaline, to put your cleats in the ground and your nose in the dirt and just get after it. That’s what you love.”

Cal Coach Tom Holmoe decided this was the time to switch quarterbacks. The stronger Samuel Clemons jogged on, replacing Vedder. The defense played for the keeper.

“We didn’t want to give them a way to think they were going to get back in the game,” Hall said. “We wanted to pound it in their face.”

So they did.

Clemons pushed forward, but the line surged against him. Ken Kocher was there. So was Tony White.

No gain.

“At first, it doesn’t seem right,” White said. “But then you look at the referee and he’s signaling that we’ve got the ball. Everybody just started screaming and going crazy.”

Said Tumey: “That was big. It was huge. Right there, it’s a gut check for Cal, it’s a gut check for us. To see who wants it more.

“It doesn’t only change the complexion of the game, but shows our guys what they’re capable of.”

Six minutes remained in the third quarter. But the Bruins would surrender only the touchdown on the two-yard toss, far more conventional than UCLA’s successful response, the 30-yard pass from Jermaine Lewis to Jon Dubravac on the halfback option. The hosts faded quietly from there.

“I’m a little frustrated because we could have beat them, we should have beat them,” said Brandon Ludwig, a Cal offensive lineman. “You can’t get the ball inside the five-yard line twice and not score, especially not against the No. 2 team in the nation.”

NEXT UP FOR UCLA

WHO: STANFORD

WHERE: at Rose Bowl

WHEN: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

TV: Fox Sp. West

RADIO: AM 1150