Stanford sets up rematch for Pac-12 title by beating UCLA, 35-17

Stanford 35, UCLA 17 (final)

So much for all that talk that spread offenses can’t be stopped. For the second consecutive week, Stanford’s defense proved it was up for the task, and now the Cardinal are headed to the Pac-12 Conference championship game after a 35-17 victory over UCLA before 68,228 at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.

One week after containing Oregon’s high-powered attack in a 17-14 victory, Stanford’s defense held UCLA to 13 first downs while sacking quarterback Brett Hundley seven times.

Hundley struggled through one of his poorest efforts of the season. He completed 20 of 38 passes for 261 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Stanford (10-2, 8-1) wins the Pac-12 North Division and will host UCLA (9-3, 6-3), the Pac-12 South champion, in a rematch on Friday at 5 p.m. in the conference title game.

Stepfan Taylor rushed for 142 yards in 20 carries and scored two touchdowns. Quarterback Kevin Hogan completed 15 of 22 passes for 161 yards and one touchdown.

UCLA was assessed 12 penalties for 135 yards.

The Cardinal outgained the Bruins, 221 yards to 73, on the ground.

Stanford 35, UCLA 17 (1:53 left in the third quarter)

Johnathan Franklin’s 11-yard touchdown run ended UCLA’s scoring drought.

The 65-yard drive featured a 38-yard run by quarterback Brett Hundley and a 14-yard diving catch by tight end Joseph Fauria.

Stanford 35, UCLA 10 (7:28 left in the third quarter)

Oregon fans are not very happy with UCLA. They were hoping the Bruins could beat Stanford and send Oregon into the Pac-12 Conference title game, but Stanford is pulling away.

UCLA freshman Kenneth Walker decided to return a kickoff from the end zone, fumbled the ball, and Stanford’s Usua Amanam picked it up and ran 11 yards for the touchdown.

Stanford 28, UCLA 10 (7:41 left in the third quarter)

UCLA’s offense has been ragged since the first quarter, and Stanford has taken advantage with Stepfan Taylor scoring on a one-yard touchdown run.

Jordan Richards gave Stanford the ball on UCLA’s 42-yard line with an interception. Taylor then broke off a 40-yard run to UCLA’s two. Taylor has rushed for 142 yards in 20 carries.

UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley is nine of 21 for 160 yards.

Stanford 21, UCLA 10 (halftime)

The combination of the running of Stepfan Taylor and the receiving of tight end Zach Ertz has led Stanford to its halftime lead.

Taylor has rushed for 100 yards in 16 carries and scored one touchdown. Ertz has three catches for 52 yards. Quarterback Kevin Hogan has completed 11 of 16 passes for 115 yards.

Stanford’s defense limited UCLA to four first downs. Quarterback Brett Hundley is six of 13 for 131 yards. Johnathan Franklin has rushed for 42 yards in 12 carries.

UCLA will get the ball to start the second half.

Stanford 21, UCLA 10 (1:37 left in the second quarter)

Freshman kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn made a career-best 48-yard field goal for UCLA.

UCLA got the ball on Stanford’s 21-yard line after the snap to punter Daniel Zychlinski hit the ground. Zychlinski then bobbled the ball and fumbled as he was sent to the turf on a hard hit by Anthony Barr.

The loose ball was recovered by Cassius Marsh.

Stanford 21, UCLA 7 (6:43 left in second quarter)

Stepfan Taylor burst through the middle for a 49-yard touchdown run on second-and-shor play to increase Stanford’s lead.

Taylor has rushed for 87 yards in 13 carries.

UCLA’s offense has suddenly gone quiet, running three plays and then having to punt on consecutive possessions in the second quarter.

Stanford 14, UCLA 7 (8:32 left in second quarter)

Anthony Wilkerson, a standout running back during his high school days at Tustin High, took a direct snap out of shotgun formation and ran 10 yards for a touchdown to give Stanford the lead.

The Cardinal hadn’t picked up a first down since their opening drive until quarterback Kevin Hogan directed an 88-yard, 10-play drive.

Hogan completed passes of 25 and 10 yards to tight end Zach Ertz. Hogan also contributed a 16-yard run.

UCLA 7, Stanford 7 (end of first quarter)

UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley showed at the end of the first quarter a new skill.

On fourth down from the Stanford 39-yard line, Hundley did a pooch punt, with the Bruins downing the ball on the two-yard line.

Hundley ended the quarter having completed four of seven passes for 120 yards.

UCLA 7, Stanford 7 (8:21 left in first quarter)

Tight end Joseph Fauria did what he does best -- use his 6-foot-7 size to outjump the defender for the ball. He caught a 13-yard touchdown pass on third down to tie the score.

It was an 87-yard, six-play drive that featured the magic of quarterback Brett Hundley, who broke out of the pocket and found Shaquelle Evans open for a 71-yard pass play down to the Stanford 10-yard line.

It was Fauria’s 19th career touchdown catch, tying him for fifth on UCLA’s all-time list.

Stanford 7, UCLA 0 (10:21 left in first quarter)

Stanford wasted little time in demonstrating its balance on offense, driving 75 yards in 12 plays on its opening possession of the game.

Drew Terrell caught an 11-yard pass from quarterback Kevin Hogan to open the scoring.

Stepfan Taylor, Stanford’s 5-foot-11, 215-pound NFL prospect, produced runs of 19 and six yards on the drive. A 15-yard penalty for hands into the face aided the drive.

Pregame

UCLA plays Stanford this afternoon at the Rose Bowl. The video of the game will be scoured by NFL teams needing a tight end.

The Bruins have Joseph Fauria, a 6-foot-7 senior. He has 35 receptions for 478 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 18 touchdowns receptions are the seventh-most in UCLA history.

The Cardinal can match Fauria with Zach Ertz, a 6-6 junior who make himself eligible for the NFL draft. He has 58 receptions for 747 yards and six touchdowns.