Long pass plays help Bruins keep game within reach

UCLA found something in its offense Saturday: the deep pass.

Quarterback Richard Brehaut threw two long touchdown passes in the second half, keeping the Bruins within sight of Arizona in a 29-21 loss.

Brehaut connected with Randall Carroll for a 68-yard score, UCLA’s longest touchdown pass since 2007, at the start of the second half. Brehaut later worked a flea-flicker, finding Josh Smith down the middle of the field for a 49-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

They were the first two touchdown passes of Brehaut’s career.

“When you got guys like Josh and Randall, you just throw it up and let them make me look good,” Brehaut said. “I just chucked it and they ran under it.”

UCLA’s longest pass play this season had been for 35 yards to Cory Harkey. The Bruins’ longest touchdown pass this season had been for 29 yards to Ricky Marvray. Both came on the same drive against Kansas State.

Brehaut, making his third start this season, completed 13 of 27 passes for 228 yards. It was the first time that UCLA has been over 200 yards passing this season.

“I’ll have to look at the tape, but I thought he did OK,” offensive coordinator Norm Chow said. “I thought he missed a couple throws that he shouldn’t have.”

Coach Rick Neuheisel said Brehaut “did some really good things and some things that are still costing us.” He added, “You would like for him to learn it as soon as possible, but sometimes it just takes reps.”

Injury toll

The Bruins added to their injury list, announcing three more after the game.

Kick returner Damien Thigpen broke his right collarbone. Wide receiver Jerry Johnson broke his left ankle and will need surgery. Linebacker Steve Sloan suffered a left hamstring strain.

Linebacker Sean Westgate left the locker room wearing a walking boot on his right foot.

No rundown

UCLA was held to 71 yards rushing, only the second time this season the Bruins have been below 100 yards. UCLA had 26 yards rushing against California.

Arizona entered the game ranked seventh nationally against the run.

Hester back

Cornerback Aaron Hester, benched last week, returned to the starting lineup and had a mixed game. He was called for pass interference in the end zone. He also had the Bruins’ first interception, also in the end zone.

“As it was coming down, I was telling myself, ‘Just catch, just catch it,’ ” Hester said. “Then I looked down at my feet to make sure I was inbounds.”

Quick hits

Arizona has won four consecutive games against UCLA. … Bruins wide receiver Nelson Rosario (high ankle sprain) suited up but did not play. … Cornerback Sheldon Price (sprained knee) was not in uniform. … Arizona had the ball for 37 minutes 55 seconds compared with UCLA’s 22:05. … Tackle Sean Sheller and Marvray sat out the game after violating team rules.

chris.foster@latimes.com

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