UCLA-Oregon State game day musings: first half

Oregon State comes into the game as an eight-point favorite on the road. Despite not being in the top 25, the Beavers land at 31st in both of the major polls if you extrapolate the vote totals. They also are the only team in the Pac-10 that truly controls their own destiny, and will be back here in the Rose Bowl if they win. Translation: This is a great opportunity for the Bruins to score style points and gain respect if they can upset the Beavers.
Going three and out isn't exactly an auspicious start for UCLA's offense, nor is allowing Oregon State a 75-yard pickup on its second play from scrimmage.
Kahlil Bell's 24-yard pickup (pictured) was what people have been expecting from him this year. It's been quiet on the road back from an injury that ended his 2007 season prematurely.
Taylor Embree made a nice spin move near the sideline when a Beaver cornerback failed to wrap him up. He picked up a few more yards on the extra effort. Anybody know if there's a service that tracks YAC (yards after the catch) at the college level? Seems like it would be an interesting stat.
Seems like UCLA is getting some good pressure out of its defensive line. Unfortunately for the Bruins, the same can be said for the Beavers' d-line.
Statistically speaking, both offenses had a pretty efficient first quarter. It's tied at 3 heading into the second.
Kevin Craft has been dealing with fumbles and batted balls — seems like another one of those days.
Rahim Moore's interception on the 1-yard line is one of those plays that could be a momentum-changer. Perhaps afraid of trying to punch it out with UCLA's offensive line, Kevin Craft tossed a lob-ball up for Taylor Embree, who got the Bruins out to the 26.
Although the Bruins couldn't make anything out of that last possession (so much for the super 2-minute drill), Aaron Perez boomed a 67-yard punt that left the Beavers on the 1-inch line. What a leg! And what a heads-up play by big Glenn Love to down the ball before it trickled into the end zone.
I love the gamesmanship going on in the closing minute of the first half. The Beavers, backed up in their end zone, desperately tried to run for breathing room. They broke even. Rather than letting the clock wind down, the Bruins called their first timeout — probably hoping that Brian Price could add to his team-leading tackles-for-a-loss total on the next play.
Halftime score: Tied up at 3. Statistically, the offenses weren't quite that anemic, but three turnovers (two by the Beavers) didn't help.

—Adam Rose

Photo: Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times