UCLA’s defense had their worst game of the season but the offense’s mediocre performance put the defense in tough spots throughout the game as the Bruins fell to Oregon State, 36-24.

The Bruins fell behind 13-0 early after freshman quarterback Dante Moore threw the first of his three interceptions. UCLA was able to score 10 unanswered points but with a chance to possibly take their first lead before the half, Moore threw a pick-six to give Oregon State a 23-10 halftime lead.

“A lot of mistakes on my side,” Moore said. “As a quarterback, can’t turn over the balI. I know just in football in general it happens, mistakes happen.”

Moore finished the game 15 of 34 for 168 yards and a touchdown pass with his three interceptions thrown.

“He’s a resilient kid and that’s one thing that’s a great quality of his,” said Kelly. “We’re going to sit down and watch the film with him and go over what his decisions were when he had the ball and how those things happened.”

The only positive on the offensive side was the play of Carson Steele who finished the game with 22 carries for 110 yards with a late touchdown score as the Bruins tried to make a comeback late. 

Why coach Kelly didn’t lean on the run game much earlier we will never know but it came back to hurt UCLA.

With the defense allowing 30 points for the first time this year, the late second half offensive surge wasn’t enough. The Bruins had held every previous opponent this season to under 20 points and had allowed just five touchdowns —the fewest in the Pac-12.

For the first time this season, the Bruins’ defense folded quite a bit, giving up multiple touchdowns to an opposing offense. Oregon State also finished with 415 yards of total offense, including 133 rushing and 282 passing.

This loss gives UCLA it’s second defeat in three weeks. 

The Bruin offense and defense will look to regroup as they travel to Palo Alto to take on Stanford after their miraculous comeback to defeat Colorado.