Everett Picks Up for Taylor

When UCLA receiver Junior Taylor limped off the field after making a catch on the second play of the game, never to return, his understudy made a promise.

“I told him right when he got hurt that we were going to win it for him,” sophomore receiver Marcus Everett said.

Everett did his part in his first game of the season, making a career-high six receptions for 66 yards -- all in the first half. Everett did not play against San Diego State or Rice because of a shoulder injury, though he said he might have been able to go last week against the Owls.

“I wanted to play last week,” Everett said, “but the coaches and the trainers thought it would be smart to wait until this game because it was a bigger game.”

Good thinking. Everett was one of 10 receivers who caught passes and quarterback Drew Olson’s favorite target in the first half. Everett’s most dazzling catch came midway through the first quarter when he pulled a wayward pass in with one hand for an eight-yard gain to convert a third down.

Everett also made a 13-yard reception on a third down late in the second quarter to help move the Bruins into field-goal range. Justin Medlock kicked a 51-yard field goal on the next play to put UCLA ahead, 13-7.

Taylor, the Bruins’ top receiver, is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on his left knee in the next day or so.

“We think it is a ligament issue, but we won’t know for sure until we have the tests done,” Coach Karl Dorrell said.

-- Ben Bolch