Monday, November 9, 1998
UCLA drowns Oregon St. in thriller
WRAP: Despite some problems, Bruins cut Beavers down to size
By Rocky Salmon
Daily Bruin Staff
The Cardiac Kids were at it once again in Corvallis, Ore. on
Saturday.
With 21 seconds to play, the Bruin football team pulled out a
miracle win to extend its winning streak to 18 games.
With a record of 7-0 coming into the game,UCLA was not supposed
to have trouble dispatching a 4-5 Oregon State team, but the
Beavers opened up a dam of trouble.
After an overtime game against Oregon, a close call versus Cal,
a last-second fumble-strip against Stanford, UCLA was not about to
disappoint in the exciting and nerve wrenching side.
But this was Cade McNown’s day, and he was not going to let his
team lose.
McNown passed for 377 yards and four touchdowns in 23 of 37
passing. He also rushed for 37 yards and caught a crucial pass from
Jermaine Lewis for a 22-yard gain after a 30-yard scramble.
Trailing 24-17 in the middle of the third quarter, McNown took
the game into his own hands. Dropping back in the pocket, McNown
could not pick up an open receiver but had lots of real estate in
front of him, so he took off. He juked one defender and bounced off
another before being dragged down by his face mask for a gain of 30
yards.
Two plays later, Lewis threw to McNown, who rumbled for 22 more
yards, setting up a tying touchdown pass. And that was where the
fun started.
"I bet this was a fun game to watch," Oregon St. Head Coach Mike
Riley said. "I wish I could have enjoyed it more."
The fourth quarter became a heartbreaker for the Beavers, who
hung around the whole game but gave up one big play.
Behind the special teams play of punt returner Tim Alexander,
who had five returns for 171 yards, and running back Jason
Dandridge, who averaged 8.1 yards per carry with three touchdowns,
the Beavers took UCLA to the breaking point once again.
After UCLA had taken the lead in the fourth quarter on a pass to
Farmer, Oregon St. answered right back with an 87 yard drive. With
3:42 remaining, overtime loomed above in the darkened clouds.
With an ensuing drive, McNown completed a few quick hits and
moved towards another score. On third and eight, McNown noticed
Oregon St. was offsides and hiked the ball quick and took a knee.
Even though he was stopped on third and one, the play was crucial
because it shortened the field for Chris Sailer, who nailed a 30
yd. field goal for a 34-31 lead with only 2:16 remaining.
But then Alexander stung the Bruins on special teams. Alexander
took the ball across midfield and the referee tacked on a few more
yards because of a late hit by Jason Stephens. The defense buckled
down and Jose Cortez, OSU’s kicker, nailed the game tying field
goal.
Then the resilient Bruins created magic out of saturated air.
After a poor kick by Cortez, the Bruins broke out of the huddle at
the UCLA 39. While Mike Riley was deciding what to do in overtime,
an unsung receiver, Brad Melsby, showed up to shock the Beaver’s
bench.
McNown stepped up into the pocket and found a wide open Melsby
for a 61-yard touchdown  a game-winning grab giving UCLA a
seven point lead.
"I looked for Danny, but he was kind of crowded," McNown said.
"A couple of guys jumped on him and Melsby just popped open. I
think they just miscommunicated on who was coming up out of the
midfield."
And that is how the Cardiac Kids pulled it out. A last second
touchdown pass to an unknown receiver.
With the impending doom of a Fiesta Bowl dream crashing into the
woods with a loss to Oregon State, the Bruins got that last big
play to turn the tides and leave with a staggering 41-34
victory.
The win was good enough to jump to No. 3 in the AP polls after
Ohio State lost to Michigan State.
"It’s hard on 18, 19, 20-year-old kids, and it’s hard on a
52-year-old man," Toledo said when someone asked about the
undefeated season and the pressure.
"I’m proud of our guys. They know how to win. They never give
up, they never quit. They just keep battling." The Associated
Press
Oregon State defender Andrae Holland (behind) breaks up a pass
intended for Bruin receiver Danny Farmer (front). Holland was
called for pass interference on the play.
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