The Oregon State Beavers defeated the UCLA Bruins, 27-20 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. It was a major upset in which the number 19-ranked Bruins lost to the underdogs, the Beavers.
This was their second upset of the season. They had previously beaten Wisconsin in their season opener. Sean Mannion drove the offense behind a productive passing game, connecting with Brandon Cooks and Markus Wheaton. Both had more than 150 yards receiving.
UCLA seemed to be struggling to move the ball for a large part of the game, punting on eight out of 14 drives. Their offense failed to capitalize on the tempo it had achieved in previous weeks.
It was a completely different story for Oregon State, though, who seemed to be playing with a game plan. They were patient with a pretty balanced attack and it certainly produced the results.
The victory was the 74th at Oregon State for coach Mike Riley which equals the school record set by Lon Stiner -- the Beavers coach from 1933-48. This is Riley's 12th year with Oregon State.
Mannion completed 24 of 35 passes with one interception. He has passed for 200 or more yards in 13 straight games while Markus Wheaton of Oregon State had nine receptions for 150 yards. He has caught at least one pass in 25 successive games.
The Bruins (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12) averaged 622 yards scoring 15 touchdowns to attain themselves the 2nd rank nationally in total offense in their last 3 games. The Beavers (2-0, 1-0) however, held the Bruins to 444 yards and two touchdowns.
Oregon State had played only once in the season's first three weeks, on Sept. 8, when they defeated no. 13 Wisconsin 10-7. Their season opener against Nicholls State had to be postponed due to concerns about Hurricane Isaac.
Struggling at 17-10, UCLA missed a couple of scoring chances in the third quarter. First, they were unable to convert a fourth-and-2 at the Oregon State 35-yard line.
UCLA had another opportunity when Stan McKay intercepted Mannion's pass at the Beavers 48, but they were forced to punt.
The Bruins are scheduled to play at Colorado next week while Oregon State take on Arizona.
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