UCLA looks to avoid a stumble against Oregon State

These are heady times in Westwood. UCLA is nationally ranked and is a seven-point favorite against Oregon State at the Rose Bowl. At times like this in the past, the Bruins have stumbled (see Utah, 2007). Times staff writer Chris Foster examines the story lines and matchups of Saturday’s game.

Ankle weight

UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley is as dangerous as a runner as he is a passer. But the right ankle injury he suffered against Nebraska seemed to affect him in last week’s game against Houston. Hundley lacked some quickness and was sacked three times. His passes also sailed occasionally.

“The ankle doesn’t really bother me,” Hundley said. “I wasn’t trying to be Superman out there last week, running around, trying to do everything. It will be fine.”

Hundley was seen on campus limping considerably the week leading into the Houston game. Hundley was not limping very much when spotted walking around campus in recent days.

Beaver dam?

UCLA Coach Jim Mora said his team’s 3-0 start won’t go to the Bruins’ heads.

“Oregon State got their attention very quickly, as soon as we turned on the film,” Mora said. “They beat Wisconsin with good defense. That gets your attention.”

The Beavers, in their only game, held Wisconsin to 207 yards. Running back Montee Ball, billed as a Heisman Trophy candidate, had only 61 yards rushing.

Two things about that:

•UCLA has more speed than Wisconsin, with running back Johnathan Franklin averaging 180.3 yards per game to lead the nation.

•Wisconsin had only 308 yards in squeaking past Utah State, 16-14, last week.

In other words, the jury is still out on Wisconsin — and Oregon State.

Life of Riley

Oregon State Coach Mike Riley suffered through a 3-9 record last season. But a victory over UCLA would be his 74th win as the Beavers coach, tying him with Lon Stiner for the most career victories in school history.

Though the Beavers have struggled the past two seasons, it’s always best to catch a Riley-coached team early. From 2006-09, Oregon State was 8-9 in September games and 28-8 after that.

Riley is 73-63 in two tours of duty at Oregon State. UCLA fans will remember that he was nearly the Bruins coach. Instead, Karl Dorrell was hired after the 2002 season.

Run down

Mora spent a good part of the week talking about Oregon State’s running game: “It will be a gut grinder,” he said of facing the Beavers.

Maybe. But Oregon State had only 78 yards rushing against Wisconsin. Even when you take away nine yards lost on sacks and 16 on a punt, Oregon State still averaged only 3.8 yards per carry.

Meantime, quarterback Sean Mannion threw for 276 yards and touchdown. He has two dangerous receivers, Markus Wheaton and Brandin Cooks.

Numbers game

UCLA has won seven of the past nine games against Oregon State. No matter how you do the math, the Bruins own the Beavers, winning 13 of the last 18 and 25 of the last 32.

It doesn’t even matter where the game is played. UCLA is 4-0 against Oregon State in Portland and 1-0 in Tokyo.

The Bruins have a 41-15-4 advantage in the series.

chris.foster@latimes.com