The last time Oregon went into the Rose Bowl to take on UCLA, the Ducks started their backup quarterback and went through two others before losing 16-0 in one of their ugliest defeats in history. When reminded of that game earlier in the week head coach Chip Kelly allowed that "it wasn't a pleasant memory."
The Ducks were in a similar situation Saturday with backup quarterback Nate Costa making the first start of his college career, subbing for the injured Jeremiah Masoli. Unlike 2007 however, Coach Kelly will have much fonder recollections as Costa went 9-for-17 for 82 yards with a touchdown to guide the Ducks past the Bruins 24-10.
"We came out the first play and threw the ball, which kind of surprised me," said Costa. "That first pass - the butterflies were gone and I was ready to go."
While Costa was holding down the fort on the offensive end, the Duck defense was continuing its stellar play. Oregon's defense didn't allow a touchdown for the second time in three weeks. UCLA's only touchdown came when Costa threw the ball right into Akeem Ayer's hands in the end zone in the second half, but Oregon was already up 21-3 at the time.
The first half was a defensive struggle with neither team able to find the end zone. In the first quarter UCLA was turned away by Oregon's defense after having the ball first and goal on the Oregon one. Kai Forbath kicked a 52 yard field goal in the second quarter to give UCLA a 3-0 advantage at the break.
"Our kids just continue to work their tails off," said defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti when asked about the goal line stand. "They are a great group of kids . they work hard, they get it."
The second half took a different tone immediately when Kenjon Barner returned the kickoff 100 yards to get Oregon on the scoreboard.
The Ducks made it 14-3 just 13 seconds later when Talmadge Jackson III stepped in front of a receiver and picked off Kevin Prince's pass and scampered 32 yards for an easy touchdown.
Those two scores relaxed Oregon's offense and on their first possession of the second half Costa marched the team 50 yards in eight plays, reaching pay dirt with a swing pass to Jeff Maehl. The junior receiver weaved through traffic for 20 yards to put the Ducks up 21-3 with 11:06 left in the third quarter.
For the rest of the game, the offense was more concerned with not turning the ball over and letting the defense shut down the Bruins. And that is exactly what they did.
UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince back after missing four games with a broken jaw was ineffective against the Oregon defense and the Bruin offense gained only 206 total yards. Oregon also forced three Bruin turnovers giving the Ducks the opportunity to play ball control on offense and take time off the clock once they had the lead.
Javes Lewis led the defense with nine tackles and a forced fumble while John Boyett added eight tackles and his interception late in the game sealed the Bruins' fate.
Running back LaMichael James continued to sparkle, gaining 152 yards on just 20 carries.
With a five game winning streak and the only team without a conference loss, the Ducks have a bye week before facing Washington in Seattle on October 24th. It is hoped the week of rest will allow Jeremiah Masoli and T.J. Ward to return to the lineup for the Huskies and then USC the following Saturday.
"To be great in this league you have to win on the road," said Kelly. "Coming down here and having the mind set, our players were focused from the beginning of the week."
"We can continue to get better and we can strive to get better. It's our fifth victory, we're not going to put a badge on that we've won five games . we still have a long season."
