UCLA’s Kevin Prince is replaced after interceptions against Texas

UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince, who sat out last week’s game against San Jose State because of a sprained right shoulder, had three passes intercepted in the 49-20 loss to Texas on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

The picks ended UCLA’s first three drives.

It helped Texas jump out to a 21-0 lead and Prince was replaced by Richard Brehaut.

“They were poor decisions,” Prince said. “The first one was a poor throw. The second one I forced the ball when I felt pressure. The third one I should have taken the sack.”

Prince had not played since suffering the shoulder injury and concussion in the second quarter against Houston on Sept. 3. He said that his shoulder was fine and that the layoff was not an issue.

“I just wasn’t of the mind-set to play as smart as I should have,” Prince said.

Brehaut was better, just in the fact that he didn’t turn the ball over. He completed only eight of 19 passes for 150 yards.

In the UCLA quarterback derby, Brehaut “has surged into the lead,” Coach Rick Neuheisel said.

As for Prince, Neuheisel said, “I’m disappointed. I’m his coach. I saw him prepared. For whatever reason, he missed that first throw. I don’t think there was any reason to miss it.”

Locke step

With Kip Smith sidelined because of a hip flexor injury, punter Jeff Locke handled all the kicking chores. The Bruins certainly didn’t lack in the field-goal area.

Locke, a junior, made kicks of 51 and 49 yards Saturday. They were the first two field goals of his college career.

Injuries report

Guard Sean Sheller suffered two broken bones in his left arm on a third-and-goal play in the third quarter. He will have surgery this week and is out for the season.

“I got my arm between two helmets,” Sheller said. “I knew what happened immediately. That’s the way it goes.”

Defensive back Andrew Abbott suffered a concussion in the second quarter after he was leveled by Texas wide receiver Marquise Goodwin.

Abbott was released from Huntington Hospital after a “precautionary CT scan,” and was resting at home. Goodwin received a personal foul penalty on the play for hitting above the shoulder pads.

Run down

UCLA gave up 200 or more yards rushing in six of its last seven games in 2010, prompting defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough to be fired.

The Bruins have given up 200 or more yards rushing in the last two games, including 202 by San Jose State last week.

First-year defense coordinator Joe Tresey is dealing with some of the same issues that plagued the Bruins last season, with poor tackling being at the top of the list heading into next week’s game at Oregon State.

“We’re going to continue to work on it in practice,” Tresey said.

chris.fostere@latimes.com

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