Monday, October 19, 1998
Oregon turnovers spell victory for UCLA
FOOTBALL: Bruin defense takes advantage of Ducks’ bumbling
errors, fumbles
By Jeff Kmiotek
Daily Bruin Staff
Oregon tailback Reuben Droughns rushed for 172 yards and scored
a touchdown, a performance most tailbacks would drool over.
Yet, it was the most disappointing day he has ever had.
Droughns’ frowns were a result of three costly fumbles. His
first muff occurred on the opening drive and led to a 7-0 UCLA
lead. His last was the one he will never forget. With the score
tied and the Ducks driving into UCLA territory with under three
minutes to go, Droughns coughed up the ball. His frustration was
evident as he smashed his helmet-less head into a metal bench on
the Oregon sideline.
On the very next play, Cade McNown hit Danny Farmer with an
incredible 60-yard TD strike to put the Bruins ahead 38-31.
On a day when the offenses were put in the spotlight, it was the
defense that allowed them to shine.
Head coach Bob Toledo calls it sudden change and preaches it to
his team every single week. It’s when the entire game could swing
either way because of a fumble or an interception. And on Saturday,
the Bruins showed why sudden change is so important.
Oregon fumbled the ball four times and threw one interception.
Three of those fumbles led to UCLA touchdowns, and the interception
concluded the Duck’s overtime drive.
‘We always try to rip the ball out,’ defensive coordinator Nick
Aliotti said.
‘That’s our standard way of playing. If we have a chance to get
the ball after the third or fourth tackle, you go for it.’
On Oregon’s first possession, Droughns ran right for a couple
yards before meeting UCLA safety Larry Atkins. Atkins reached in
and mugged Droughns for the ball, causing the fumble. The offense
took over and drove the field for a score.
‘Our goal as a defense is to try and force turnovers. Ripping
the ball out is part of that,’ said Atkins.
UCLA only turned the ball over twice, but they were also very
costly. The Bruins held all the momentum and a 24-7 lead, and they
were on their way for more, but a McNown pick suddenly changed the
game around. The Ducks followed the interception with a touchdown
and stunned everybody in Pasadena by rattling off 24 consecutive
points to grab a 31-24 lead in the fourth quarter.
The Bruins recovered to tie the game before taking the lead
after Droughns’ final fumble.
Droughns, who grew up in nearby Anaheim, actually asked to get
back into the game in the fourth quarter after leaving with an
injury in the second. Hobbled with a sprained ankle, Droughn’s
final fumble came with 2:39 to play on the UCLA 40-yard line.
‘We didn’t show the world nothing with four turnovers,’ said
Oregon quarterback Akili Smith.
Late in the game, the Ducks were doing everything in their power
to cause a turnover, but to no avail.
‘They were stripping the ball and everything toward the end of
the game. They needed the ball quick. But we always focus on having
our four points on the ball,’ said tailback Keith Brown.
It was fitting that the Ducks threw an interception on their
final offensive play in overtime. It was Ryan Roques’ fourth pick
in his last four games.
‘We were fortunate enough today to get five turnovers, and they
were huge,’ said Aliotti.
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