2008 Week 2

1 TD vs. 5 Interceptions. If you had seen that line for Ben Olson you would have thought UCLA got blown out of the water vs. a tough Tennessee team: you would have thought wrong. UCLA's defense comes up huge in a 35-28 victory over the Volunteers. Of the 4 touchdowns 1 was an INT return for 6, another was a 3 yards rush after another INT return put the Volunteers on the 3 yard line, the third was a 102 yard kickoff return and the 4th was a 65 yard touchdown pass where the running back beat the linebacker on a deep ball. Overall it was a great day for the UCLA defense which shined in this game. Junior FS Aaron Ware once again led the way as he was user-controlled all game. He had a team high 9 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 1 INT. Those numbers alone would make him the player of the game but looking deeper into the box score would really show his value as he made the game saving tackle on the 1 yard line as time expired.

On offense Ben Olson actually played a strong game despite 5 horrible passes. All of his interceptions came while trying to throw the ball over the middle of the field. Olson did complete 72% of his passes and threw for over 300 yards and had a rushing TD but he did get rattled in the pocket. His last INT was the most costly as it gave UT a chance to tie the game. With just over a minute left UCLA faced a 3rd and 6 from inside the 15 yard line. Tennessee had held the run in check on two previous runs so Norm Chow made the decision to run a PA play and dump it off to the FB in the flats. As the play developed all receivers were covered and there wasn't any chance that Olson could run for the first down. Shortly before he was sacked the FB streaked back across the middle of the field and found a hole in the defense. He was WIDE OPEN in the endzone. Olson eye's got a little too big as he saw this and he overthrew the FB by a solid 10 yards where the Tennessee safety made the INT. With just a little over a minute left Tennessee marched down the field converting two 4th downs and a few third downs. On the final play of the game they had the ball on the 10 yard line. The pass was complete to a wide receiver in the middle of the field who broke and tackle and then looked to get in the endzone. Just when he thought he was about to tie the game Ware came out of nowhere to make a huge tackle on the 1 yard line: game over.

Kahlil Bell once again paced the offense by rushing for 85 yards and a score while backup QB Forcier had two rushing TD's of his own. The Bruins have a much needed bye week 3 and then look to continue their winning ways in week 4.