Loss Doubly Painful for Some

Injury was added to insult for UCLA, which lost more than a game to Stanford Saturday.

The Bruins also lost several players, beginning with quarterbacks Cory Paus (thumb) and Scott McEwan (right ankle). Although neither injury is considered serious, it is questionable whether either quarterback can play next week against Washington State.

Paus hit his thumb on a defender’s helmet throwing a pass late in the second quarter and gave way to McEwan, who sprained the ankle with a few minutes to play.

Three other starters were injured: receiver Ryan Smith (dislocated shoulder), center Troy Danoff (separated shoulder and sprained ankle) and safety Jason Stephens (foot).

In addition, reserve tight end Blane Kezirian had a concussion.

Smith has been solid since replacing the injured Brian Poli-Dixon, leading the Bruin receivers the last two weeks. Smith played after he was hurt Saturday and had six catches for 91 yards.

Danoff is a three-year starter and Stephens has been an integral part of UCLA’s defensive resurgence. Both are seniors.

Ryan McCann, a junior who completed 60 of 120 passes and led the Bruins to victories over Michigan and Alabama last season, will play quarterback if Paus and McEwan are unavailable.

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Cardinal quarterback Chris Lewis, 0-3 as a starter last season, was as poised from start to finish against UCLA as he was off the bench in victories over Oregon last week and Texas and USC last year.

Lewis, a redshirt sophomore from Long Beach Poly High, was 20 for 29 for 250 yards with three touchdowns. He had three passes intercepted but wore a smile afterward.

“It was fun, playing against all my friends out there,” he said.

Lewis, who started in place of the injured Randy Fasani, was sacked only once and had ample time to throw. “The offensive line did a great job,” he said. “They really came through today.”

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The field goal that extended Stanford’s lead to 31-7 marked the first points scored against UCLA in the third quarter all season.

The Bruins had outscored opponents, 72-0, in the period. They answered the field goal with two touchdowns and now hold an 86-3 edge in the third quarter.