UCLA GAME REPORT

1. UCLA trailed, 21-20, and Fresno State had the ball at its own 37 late in the third quarter when the Bulldogs committed a costly turnover. Quarterback Billy Volek fumbled while trying to hand off and Bruin linebacker Tony White recovered the ball at the Fresno State 31. Eight plays later, the Bruins regained the lead on a touchdown pass from Drew Bennett to Brad Melsby.

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2. Fresno State was in field-goal position with 30 seconds remaining before halftime when UCLA defensive back Ricky Manning intercepted a pass by Volek to swing the momentum over to the Bruins at the break. On third and goal from the UCLA 20, Manning stepped in front of a pass intended for Charles Smith and returned it 83 yards to the Fresno State 11. On the return, Manning weaved his way through tacklers and got a key block from Julius Williams before running out of gas and being tackled by Atnaf Harris with 12 seconds remaining.

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3. Freddie Mitchell lived up to his big-play billing with a timely catch and run to help UCLA break open a tight game at the start of the fourth quarter. The Bruins were faced with third and 18 from their own 41 when Mitchell beat Fresno State cornerback Dante Marsh on a stop-and-go pattern. Bennett found Mitchell for a 57-yard pass play. Three plays later, UCLA scored on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Bennett to Brian Poli-Dixon.

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4. Although Fresno State dominated most of the third quarter, the Bulldogs needed to convert a major fourth-down play to keep their second drive of the second half alive. With the ball on the Bruins’ 25, Fresno State’s Derrick Ward powered his way up the middle for a two-yard gain and a first down. The Bulldogs completed the drive two plays later on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Volek to a tight end Vince Branstetter.

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5. With starting quarterback Cory Paus on the bench because of an injury and UCLA’s lead cut to 10-7 early in the second quarter, the Bennett stepped up and showed off his mobility and arm strength for a key completion. With the ball near midfield, Bennett rolled to his right and completed a 19-yard pass to tight end Gabe Crecion for a first down near the sideline in front of the UCLA bench.