Bruins Confused in Home Opener as Stanford Rolls

UCLA struggle in Pac-10 opener

Stanford is the most physical football team in the Pac-10 and they proved it on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl as they manhandled UCLA, 35-0. The lost spoiled the Bruins home opener and a chance to push their home win streak over the Cardinal to seven.

The Bruins looked to regroup after the disheartening loss last week to the Kansas State Wildcats and get a head start on the Pac-10 season but their pistol offense shot blanks all night long except for when it was aimed directly at their foot.

UCLA ran the ball effectively gaining 152 yards behind the Johnathan Franklin 73 yards and Malcolm Jones 52 yrards, but every time the Bruins threatened to hang a number on the scoreboard, receivers dropped passes, Kevin Prince threw an interception, lineman jumped offside, running backs fumbled or the all-American kicker pushed one right.

UCLA committed four turnovers during the game, leading to 10 points for the Cardinal.

Defensively, the Bruins held Heisman hopeful, Andrew Luck to just 151 yards passing on 11 for 24 passing. However, the Cardinal’s run-by-committee gained 211 yards.

During most of the first half, the Bruins looked confused, out of position and physically overmatched. After halftime, the Bruins executed better on first and second down but were still unable to convert third downs going only 1 for 9 for the game.

Prince threw one interception and completed just 6 of 12 passes for 39 yards. He was sacked twice and was hesitant to keep the ball on the option run.

Prince left the game in the fourth quarter after aggravating a shoulder injury that has hampered him for the past two weeks. Running back Derrick Coleman was carted off the field and taken to an area hospital after being struck on the side of the helmet during a run in the third quarter. Coleman remained conscious and had movement in all his extremities, according to school officials.

UCLA was shut out for the first time since losing 59-0 at BYU on Sept. 13, 2008.

The Bruins return to the Rose Bowl next week for another chance at their first victory of the season. UCLA (0-2, 0-1 Pac-10) will play the Houston Cougars (2-0, 1-0 C-USA) who are undefeated on the season scoring 122 points in just two games.

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