Seventh-ranked UCLA extended its unbeaten start to eight games Saturday, defeating Nevada 27-0 in Pasadena to reach 8-0 for the first time since 2005. Quarterback Ty Dieffenbach threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score, while the Bruins intercepted three passes in the opening quarter.
The victory marked UCLA's first Rose Bowl shutout since a 16-0 win over Oregon on Nov. 24, 2007. Nevada fell to 3-5 after entering as a 22 1/2-point underdog. First-year UCLA coach Bob Chesney welcomed the result while emphasizing the need for improvement. "To get yourself to 8-0 is a big deal and to shut a team out at any level is a big deal," he said.
UCLA's offense started slowly for a second consecutive game, but its defense quickly provided opportunities. Scooter Jackson intercepted Nevada quarterback Luke Duncan on his first play, leading to Mateen Bhaghani's 26-yard field goal. Anthony Woods then caught a tipped pass at the UCLA 16 to end Nevada's second possession. Derrick Barksdale added a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown, giving the Bruins a 10-0 advantage.
Duncan was replaced after completing one of eight passes for 36 yards. Nevada coach Jeff Choate said the quarterback appeared uncomfortable in the pocket and was throwing off his back foot. AJ Bianco came off the bench and completed six of 13 passes for 71 yards, before true freshman and fourth-string quarterback Reeve Sloan played the closing minutes.
Dieffenbach's 4-yard touchdown run shortly before halftime pushed UCLA's lead to 17-0. The Bruins added another touchdown early in the third quarter when Wayne Knight caught a 12-yard pass from Dieffenbach for his 14th score of the season. Dieffenbach finished with 178 passing yards on 16 completions in 30 attempts. Knight led UCLA's rushing attack with 53 yards on 11 carries.
Nevada missed a scoring opportunity on its first possession of the third quarter when Joe McFadden's 48-yard field goal attempt fell below the crossbar. Bhaghani completed the scoring with a 38-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Ty Lee intercepted a pass in the final seconds, bringing UCLA's season total to 16. The Bruins had just one interception at the same stage last season, when they finished with three wins.
UCLA receiver Brian Rowe Jr. left in the second quarter after catching a 38-yard pass and taking a hard hit from two defenders. He rolled out of bounds along Nevada's sideline, where the collision also knocked down a Wolf Pack coach. Trainers attended to Rowe, who eventually stood up on his own. Chesney had no update afterward. Rowe has 19 catches for 307 yards through eight games.
The Bruins face a tougher November after reaching the AP Top 10 with only one ranked opponent on their schedule so far, then-No. 13 Oregon. UCLA next visits Minnesota, which lost 23-16 in overtime to No. 4 Indiana on Saturday. Games against Illinois, Michigan and crosstown rival USC follow. Chesney said the final four games would be physical and that some of UCLA's play against Nevada would need to improve.
