UCLA receiver Shaquelle Evans picks up first 100-yard game

It was easy to find UCLA’s offensive player of the game during Oregon State’s 27-20 victory Saturday. Shaquelle Evans was hard to miss.

The junior receiver had six receptions for 148 yards. That included a 65-yard touchdown catch that cut the Beavers’ lead to 17-10.

It was the first 100-yard game of Evans’ career.

“Whatever I got to do to help the team win, I’m going to do that,” Evans said. “If I got to block down field, I’ll do that. If I got to catch the ball, I’ll do that.”

The 65-yard touchdown catch was the longest of Evans’ career. He also had a 46-yard reception that set up a 22-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn in the second quarter.

But the toughest catch was a nine-yard reception on which Evans had his helmet knocked off, forcing him to miss one play under a new NCAA rule.

“He took a wicked hit, got his helmet knocked, got stepped on,” UCLA Coach Jim Mora said. “He went out and came right back in.

“Shaq makes big plays when we need him to. He caught the ball in traffic. He always does a good job blocking down field. He’s just a tough player.”

Dynamic duo

Oregon State answered Evans with receivers Markus Wheaton and Brandin Cooks.

Wheaton, a senior, had nine receptions for 150 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown. Cooks, a sophomore, had six catches for 175 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown.

“You just need to get some big chunks once in a while,” Oregon State Coach Mike Riley said. “It’s really hard to just chip all the way down the field and do that all the time.”

It was Cook’s first 100-yard game. He had committed to UCLA but flipped to Oregon State in November of 2010.

Injury report

UCLA was without guards Jeff Baca and Greg Capella, leaving a hole on the line.

Mora said Thursday that Baca would “probably play.” He was examined Saturday morning and was held out with a “head injury,” a UCLA official said. Baca missed last week’s game against Houston after experiencing headaches through the week.

“Jeff’s a veteran,” Mora said. “He’s a glue guy.”

Capella left practice this week with what was believed to be a concussion.

Brett Downey stared at right guard, but was replaced by Alberto Cid.

The 300

UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley became the first UCLA quarterback to throw for 300 or more yards in three consecutive games. Hundley completed 27 of 42 passes.

He became only the third UCLA quarterback to have three 300-yard games as a freshman, joining Tommy Maddox (1990) and Kevin Prince (2009).

Quick hits

UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr had seven tackles, three for losses. He also had two sacks, giving him a team-high five, and forced a fumble.... Stan McKay’s third-quarter interception was the first of his career.... The victory was Riley’s 74th as Oregon State’s coach, tying him with Lon Stiner for the school record.... Oregon State kicker Trevor Romaine, who played at Corona Centennial, had field goals of 18 and 22 yards.

chris.foster@latimes.com

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