Stars Are Aligned Nicely for Bruins

UCLA’s Maurice Drew could not have written a much better script for the start of the Bruins’ season than the one he and his teammates had Saturday night against San Diego State.

Playing barely over a half, Drew rushed for 114 yards in 11 carries and scored three touchdowns, including a 72-yard punt return, to lead UCLA to a 44-21 victory over the Aztecs at Qualcomm Stadium.

Because of dehydration problems, Drew carried the ball only once in the second half, but he really wasn’t needed as UCLA improved to 20-0-1 against San Diego State with its fourth win over the Aztecs in four years.

For Coach Karl Dorrell, who won a season opener for the first time in three years, it wasn’t a perfect game.

San Diego State outgained UCLA in total yards, 402-349; the Bruin wide receivers combined to catch only two passes for 17 yards; and UCLA had six penalties for 50 yards.

But that’s nit-picking. UCLA is 1-0 and that’s what counts.

“Overall, this was the best attitude that I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” said senior quarterback Drew Olson, who did not have to do much, completing 10 of 15 passes for 152 yards with no interceptions.

“I like where we are. We have a little swagger and a little confidence. It was a lot of fun playing here tonight. Watching our defense get the job done was pretty sweet.”

Aside from Drew and the offensive line’s performance, the most important statement made by UCLA’s offense was its ability to get the football to senior tight end Marcedes Lewis, who had a career game with seven catches for 131 yards.

“That’s what good programs do, have their big players come through,” said Lewis, who had five catches for 95 yards at halftime. “We did an excellent job playing together.”

The Bruin defense gave up a ton of yards but was strong when needed, making key tackles in limiting the Aztecs to only one score in running out to a 31-6 lead. UCLA also had two interceptions, by Michael Norris and Spencer Havner.

Havner led UCLA with 13 tackles, followed by Bruce Davis, Aaron Whittington and Dennis Keyes, who each had seven. Senior linebacker Justin London, who had five tackles, said the Bruin defenders played well but not good enough.

“We got a victory and we’re happy with that, but the game was ugly,” London said. “We gave up way too much against this type of football team. We have to definitely tighten up as the season goes on.”

After forcing the Aztecs to punt on their first possession, the Bruins needed only one play to get on the board.

On first down from the UCLA 36, Drew ran through a huge hole opened on the left side of the line by senior tackle Ed Blanton, and then sprinted away from the San Diego State secondary for a 64-yard touchdown.

So just like that, UCLA had a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the season.

After San Diego State’s second consecutive punt, the Bruins moved the ball with ease behind two completions to Lewis, including a 40-yarder down the right sideline.

But after driving to the Aztec 25, the Bruins hurt themselves with delay-of-game and illegal-motion penalties. UCLA’s drive ended with junior kicker Justin Medlock missing a 48-yard field goal wide right.

San Diego State bounced back when running back Lynell Hamilton carried the ball six consecutive times and scored from one yard out. But the Aztecs, who kept the ball for 6 minutes, 44 seconds to drive 70 yards in 15 plays, had the extra point attempt blocked by UCLA sophomore end Nikola Dragovic and the Bruins still led, 7-6.

For UCLA, the Aztecs’ touchdown served as a wake-up call.

Although the Bruins did not keep the ball for as long as San Diego did on its scoring drive, they did answer with their own keep-away march that took 6:16 off the clock.

The Bruins drove 80 yards in 15 plays, capped by Drew’s one-yard touchdown dive on fourth down to take a 14-6 lead early in the second quarter.

Havner then made a statement, stopping quarterback Kevin O’Connell one foot short of a first down, forcing a punt.

That would be the last time San Diego State would be in the game: Drew made sure of that with an electrifying 72-yard punt return.

“I made the first guy miss, but that’s what I’m supposed to do back there,” said Drew, who finished with 194 all-purpose yards.

With San Diego State’s Jacob Elimimian charging straight at him, Drew caught the punt and spun all in one motion, forcing Elimimian to grab nothing but air. From there, it was all Drew, who weaved through the Aztecs’ punt coverage team to give UCLA a commanding 21-6 lead.

San Diego had the ball for only three plays before the Bruins picked up their first turnover on Norris’ interception.

After UCLA failed to get into the end zone, Medlock made a 23-yard field goal to stretch the lead to 24-6 at halftime.

With Drew on the sidelines, the Bruins turned to sophomore Chris Markey to be their featured back and he responded.

Markey scored on two one-yard touchdown runs, returned a kickoff 70 yards and returned a punt for 41. His second-half effort helped UCLA outscore San Diego State over the final two quarters, 20-15, despite playing mainly reserves in the final quarter.

“We put up 44 points,” Drew said. “We’re ready for anybody; we’re ready to take on the world. We have Rice next, so that’s who we’re looking for this week.”

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KEYS TO THE GAME

Lonnie White’s keys to the game, and how the Bruins measured up:

1. Give Olson confidence: Giving the ball to running back Maurice Drew did just that for the UCLA quarterback.

2. Stop Hamilton: The Aztec running back gained some yards but was never a factor.

3. Avoid punting game: UCLA did not punt.