STANFORD, Calif. – Two teams looking to bounce back from heartbreaking non-conference losses meet Saturday as Stanford hosts UCLA. Stanford fell to 1-2 for the first time since 2008 after losing 20-17 to San Diego State last Saturday, while UCLA’s injury-plagued defense allowed 560 yards in a 48-45 setback against Memphis.
UCLA has lost nine in a row against Stanford, which opened Pac-12 play two weeks ago with a 42-24 loss to USC before watching Rashaad Penny rush for 175 yards in last week’s loss to the Aztecs.
Recommended Videos
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Stanford -7.5
(function(d, s, id) {var js,ijs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];if(d.getElementById(id))return;js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src="//embed.scribblelive.com/widgets/embed.js";ijs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, ijs);}(document, 'script', 'scrbbl-js'));
Cardinal quarterback Keller Chryst was 9-of-20 for 72 yards with two interceptions against San Diego State, but coach David Shaw said he remains confident in his senior starter.
If Saturday’s game turns into a shootout, the edge could belong to UCLA junior quarterback Josh Rosen, who completed 34-of-56 passes for 463 yards and four touchdowns in the loss to Memphis.
While Rosen leads the nation in passing yards (1,283) and touchdowns (13), the Bruins' defense ranks among the worst in the nation by allowing 38.3 points and 515 yards per game.
ABOUT UCLA (2-1)
The Bruins have recorded only three sacks in the last two games after registering six in their opener against Texas A&M but hope to have linebackers Kenny Young and Breland Brandt back from injuries this Saturday. UCLA had some much-needed balance on offense against Memphis as junior Bolu Olorunfunmi gained 77 yards on 13 carries and the Bruins finished with 170 yards rushing after producing 195 on the ground in their first two games. Senior Darren Andrews was Rosen’s favorite target again last week with 10 receptions, including his NCAA-leading sixth touchdown catch of the season.
ABOUT STANFORD (1-2, 0-1 Pac-12)
Shaw shook up his struggling offensive line against San Diego State and gave freshman Walker Little his first start at left tackle, but the Cardinal failed to mount a consistent attack for the second straight week. Junior Bryce Love has been one of the few bright spots and ranks second in the country at 174.7 rushing yards per game, although most of his yards have come on several big plays. The defense has allowed 478 rushing yards in the last two games and was on the field for nearly 42 minutes against the Aztecs, who were 7-for-17 on third-down conversions.
EXTRA POINTS
1. UCLA is seeking its first victory at Stanford since 2007 and its first win over the Cardinal since 2008.
2. Shaw is 42-13 against Pac-12 opponents during the regular season.
3. The Bruins are 37-3 under coach Jim Mora when leading at the half.
PREDICTION: UCLA 30, Stanford 24