Scoring catches are cold comfort

Receivers Taylor Embree and Nelson Rosario closed their UCLA careers by catching touchdown passes in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl on Saturday.

It wasn’t satisfying, as the Bruins lost to Illinois, 20-14.

“In the future, I can always say that I scored in a bowl game,” Embree said. “What I wanted more than anything was to end my career with a win.”

Embree caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Kevin Prince, giving UCLA a 7-0 lead with 10 minutes left in the first half. It was his only reception.

Rosario wrapped up the Bruins’ scoring, catching a 38-yard touchdown pass from Prince with 29 seconds left. It was little consolation.

“We didn’t win,” Rosario said. “That’s the bottom line.”

Rosario, who caught three passes for 55 yards, finished fifth on UCLA’s all-time list for receptions (148) and yards receiving (2,362).

Embree finished eighth all-time in receptions (137).

“I wanted to win more games,” Embree said. “This being the end is rough. We got an opportunity to play in a bowl game and we didn’t come out victorious.”

Franklin to decide

Running back Johnathan Franklin, a junior, said he will decide within a week whether to return to UCLA or declare for the NFL draft.

Franklin was among the most frustrated players this season, concerned about the program’s meandering.

“This is a different feeling,” Franklin said. “It was the last game for our seniors and maybe my last game as a Bruin. It all needs to change here.”

Franklin finished with 29 yards rushing, leaving him 24 yards short of a second straight 1,000-yard season.

Leave ‘em laughing

UCLA was without its most valuable defensive player, middle linebacker Patrick Larimore, who recently had thumb surgery.

Jordan Zumwalt eased the loss considerably. He finished with 10 tackles, two for a loss, and intercepted a pass to end an Illinois drive.

His final contribution was to bring a peaceful ending to the game.

With Illinois set to take a knee on the last play, UCLA defensive back Aaron Hester rushed in and shouted, “Nobody get in a fight, you’ll get suspended,” Zumwalt said.

Zumwalt pointed at Illinois’ Troy Pollard and shouted, “I want No. 28.”

Pollard is listed at 5 feet 8. Zumwalt is 6-4.

“Everyone on both sides busted up,” Zumwalt said.

Oh Merci(lus)

Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus had 1.5 sacks and finished the season with a nation-best 16. He had three tackles for a loss.

UCLA tackle Brett Downey was assigned to handle him, with considerable help. He was impressed by the end of the game.

“He’s got the full package, power and speed,” Downey said. “He can bull-rush you or speed-rush you or speed-bull-rush you. He’s got so many options.”

Quick hits

UCLA and Illinois both had 11 tackles for a loss. . . . Bruins linebacker Eric Kendricks had 10 tackles. . . . Illinois kicker Derek Dimke made two of three field-goal attempts, converting from 36 and 37 yards.

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