#11 UCLA (2-0) AT UTAH (0-2)
KICKOFF - 2:O0 PM PDT
TV - VERSUS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

**Bruin play at Utah for first time since 1974 **
**UCLA leads all-time series 8-0 **

GAME #3 — UCLA (2-0, 1-0 in Pac-10 play), ranked #11 on the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN coaches’ polls, returns to the road for a Sept. 15 date at the University of Utah (0-2) from the Mountain West Conference. Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. PDT (3:00 p.m. MDT) and the game will be televised by Versus with Joe Beninati, Glenn Parker and Tim Neverett calling the action. AM 570 (KLAC) and the Bruin Radio Network (Chris Roberts, Matt Stevens and Wayne Cook) will broadcast all of the Bruin games. Sirius satellite radio will air the game on channel 122.

SERIES WITH UTAH — The Bruins lead the overall series, which dates back to 1933, by a 8-0 count. UCLA handed Utah a 31-10 setback in the 2006 season-opener in the Rose Bowl. The Bruins have not played at Utah since winning a 27-14 decision in the 1974 season.
Quarterback Ben Olson made his first career start as a Bruin in last season’s win over the Utes. He threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns in the contest while completing 25 of 33 pass attempts. Cornerback Alterraun Verner sparked the Bruins when he picked off a Tommy Grady pass in the second quarter and ran it back 34 yards for a score to lift UCLA to a 14-7 lead. Utah closed to 14-10 at the half on a late field goal, but the Bruins scored 17 unanswered second half points on the way to the 31-10 win. Defensively, the Bruins held Utah without a first down on their 11 third down attempts and forced three turnovers.
The2006 game was the first between the teams since Coach Dick Vermeil’s Bruin squad posted a 27-14 win in Salt Lake City in 1974. John Sciarra quaterbacked UCLA to the victory. Running back Russel Charles netted 112 yards on the ground, including a seven-yard scoring run. Wendell Tyler added 81 rushing yards. The Bruin defense intercepted three passes and recovered one fumble on the day.

UCLA IN THE POLLS IN 2007 — Pre-Season: USA Today 17, AP 14; Sept. 3: USA Today 14, AP 13; Sept. 10: USA Today 11, AP 11.
LAST GAME -- UCLA built a 20-0 lead in the second quarter, saw BYU draw to within three points in the third quarter, and scored the game-clinching touchdown with 1:12 remaining in the game to defeat BYU 27-17 and snap the Cougars’ 11-game winning streak.
UCLA was leading 3-0 when cornerback Trey Brown stepped infront of the intended receiver, picked off a pass and returned it 56 yards for a 10-0 lead late in the first quarter. Early in the second period, UCLA took over on the BYU 47-yard line. Four Kahlil Bell runs later, the score was 17-0 with Bell scoring from the four-yard line. Later in the quarter, Kai Forbath converted a 40-yard field goal for a 20-0 lead and the score was 20-3 at halftime.
The Cougars scored touchdowns on their first two possessions of the second half, the second set up by an interception, to close to within 20-17. Early in the fourth quarter, BYU reached the Bruin 13-yard line but Bruce Davis forced a fumble and Tom Blake recovered it to halt that threat.
With 4:53 remaining in the game, UCLA took possession on the BYU 45-yard line and took 3:40 off the clock while driving for the clinching touchdown, a three-yard run by Chris Markey, with 1:12 left. BYU could get no closer than its own 45-yard line on its final possession.
Defensively, UCLA held the Cougars to 44 net yards on 25 rushing attempts but BYU did throw for 391 yards. Dennis Keyes led the Bruins with 10 tackles while Bruce Davis added seven, including two sacks and a forced fumble, and Christian Taylor made six stops. Trey Brown made five tackles, returned an interception 56 yards for a score, recovered a fumble and broke up five passes. Chris Horton also made five tackles and forced a fumble.
Offensively, UCLA was held to just 236 yards, 126 passing and 110 rushing. Ben Olson completed 13 of 28 passes for 126 yards, with Marcus Everett making five catches (66 yards) and Brandon Breazell four (35 yards). Kahlil Bell led the ground game with 79 yards and one score and Chris Markey added 50 yards and the clinching touchdown.

UCLA PLAYER / COACH NOTES —
Redshirt senior BRUCE DAVIS is the nation’s leading returning sack specialist, based on his sacks in the 2006 season. Davis ranked fourth (tied) in the NCAA and tied for first in the Pac-10 in sacks (12.5 - 0.96 average) and 18th nationally and second in the Pac-10 in tackles for losses (1.35 average). In 2006, he was named first-team All-American by CollegeFootballNews.com and SI.com. On the year, Davis made 47 tackles, seventh (tied) on the squad. He also ranked tied for first on the team with 12.5 sacks and second on the team behind Justin Hickman with 17.5 tackles for loss.
He made two tackles and recovered a fumble versus Stanford. Against BYU, he had two sacks, including one on which he caused a fumble, and made seven tackles, tying his career high. He now has 19.0 career sacks to rank 10th (tied) in school history.

Senior running back CHRIS MARKEY ranks eighth in UCLA history in career all-purpose yardage with 3,577 yards and 12th in career rushing with 2,139 yards. In 2006, he became the third Bruin and first since 1962 to lead the team in both rushing (1,107 yards) and receiving (35 receptions). He is just the 11th player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season (it has been done a total of 18 times).
Against Stanford, he rushed for 71 yards and had one reception for two yards. He added 50 yards and the game-clinching touchdown versus BYU.

True junior tailback KAHLIL BELL rushed for 195 yards in the opener versus Stanford. That is the highest total by a Bruin in an opener and the most in any game since Chris Markey ran for 208 against Rice in 2006. He added a team-high 79 yards versus BYU and leads the Pac-10 with an average of 137.0

Redshirt senior safety DENNIS KEYES was third on the team with 79 tackles in 2006 and tied for the team lead in three of the last six games. He made six tackles in the 2007 opener versus Stanford and led the Bruins with 10 tackles against BYU. He leads the team with 16 tackles in two games and is tied for ninth in the Pac-10.

TEAM NOTES —
UCLA is ranked No. 11 this week by both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ poll. The last time UCLA was this high on the AP poll was prior to the 2005 USC game. The last time the Bruins were higher on the AP poll, they were No. 7 entering the 2005 Arizona game and were 8-0.

Stanford converted just four of 18 third-down conversion attempts while BYU was six of 16. In two games, opponents have converted 10 of 34 (29.4%) third down opportunites -- T-25th in the nation. UCLA ranked fifth nationally in third-down conversion defense (28.4%) in 2006, having allowed 13 opponents to convert 50 of 176 third-down opportunities.

UCLA has held its two opponents to 96 net rushing yards on 51 attempts (1.9 average) and ranks 16th in the nation. The Bruins allowed Stanford 52 net yards rushing on 26 attempts (2.0 average) and BYU just 44 net yards on 25 attempts. In 13 games in the 2006 season, UCLA allowed 91.1 yards per game (tied for ninth in the NCAA and tied for first in the Pac-10), 2.83 yards per rush and just nine touchdowns on the ground. In 2006, the Bruins held six of their 13 opponents to fewer than 60 yards rushing, including four straight (Rice 53, Washington 49, Stanford 49, Arizona minus 13).

UCLA’s defense has allowed four touchdowns (all passing) in 2007. In 2006, the defense allowed 27 touchdowns in 13 games (nine rushing, 18 passing). In 2005, UCLA’s defense allowed 48 touchdowns (29 rushing and 19 passing).

UCLA is 20-2 when it wins the turnover battle under head coach Karl Dorrell, including 2-0 (Stanford, BYU) in 2007. It is 11-19 when it ties or loses the turnover battle.

RUNNING BACKS — True senior tailback CHRIS MARKEY is one of the top backs on the West Coast, if not the nation. He is on the pre-season Watch List for the Maxwell Award, presented to the nation’s top player, and the Doak Walker Award, presented to the nation’s top running back.
Markey is the 14th Bruin to rush for 2,000 yards in a career and currently ranks 12th on that list with 2,139 yards. He is also eighth on the career all-purpose yards list with 3,577 yards. He has 61 career receptions to rank 33rd on that UCLA list and is second only to Maurice Drew (64) among running backs.
In the 2007 opener at Stanford, he ran for 71 yards on 20 carries and made one reception for two yards. Against BYU, he rushed for 50 yards on 16 carries, scoring the clinching three-yard touchdown with 1:12 remaining in the game. He ran for 22 of his yards on that scoring drive.

True junior tailback KAHLIL BELL enjoyed the best game of his career in the 2007 opener at Stanford. Bell ran for a career-high 195 yards, gaining numerous yards after the initial contact from the defense. He had runs of 59 (longest of his career), 31 and 22 yards among his 19 carries. His 195 yards were the most ever by a Bruin in a season opener, the most since Chris Markey ran for 208 against Rice in 2006 and rank 18th on UCLA’s single season list. Against BYU, he led the Bruins 79 yards on 16 carries, including a four-yard run to give the Bruins a 17-0 lead in the second quarter. On that touchdown drive, he carried on all four plays, gaining 26, 17, 0 and four yards for the score.
On the year, he leads the Bruins in rushing with 274 yards on 35 attempts (7.8 average). He also leads the Pac-10 with his average of 137.0.

True senior wide receiver MARCUS EVERETT did not make a reception in the 2007 opener at Stanford. Against BYU, he led the Bruins with five catches for 66 yards, including one for 37 yards, and produced three first downs.
Everett now has 77 career receptions and ranks No. 21 on that list. He is also the 25th Bruin to record 1,000 or more career receiving yards. He has made a reception in 19 of the last 20 games and 23 of the last 25.

True senior BRANDON BREAZELL leads the Bruins with 10 receptions and 146 yards. He ranks seventh in the Pac-10 in both receptions and receiving yards.

True sophomore TERRENCE AUSTIN made one reception for 22 yards in the 2007 season opener at Stanford and also averaged 13.7 yards on three punt returns with a long of 17 yards. Against BYU, he averaged 10.8 yards on five punt returns with a long of 22 yards and did not make a reception.
On the year, Austin is averaging 11.9 yards on eight punt returns to lead the Pac-10.

Redshirt senior defensive end BRUCE DAVIS -- against BYU, he tied his career high with seven tackles (six solos). He also recored two quarterback sacks. On the second one, he also caused a fourth-quarter fumble after BYU had driven to the UCLA 13-yard line to end a scoring threat. On the year, he has nine tackles, including two sacks, and has forced one fumble and recovered one fumble.
Davis now has 19.0 career sacks, tied for No. 10 on UCLA’s all-time list.

TREY BROWN, an outstanding shutdown corner, has a streak of 32 consecutive starts (most on the defensive side of the ball). In the 2007 opener at Stanford, Brown made four tackles (three solos), had a sack on which he caused a fumble and broke up four passes. Against BYU, he had five tackles (four solos). He scored UCLA’s first touchdown of the game when he picked off a pass and returned it 56 yards for the second score of his career. He also recovered a fumble, returning it 21 yards to set up a field goal, and broke up five passes. On the year, he has made nine tackles and broken up nine passes. He leads the nation with 5.00 passes defensed per game (nine breakups and one interception).

Redshirt senior free safety DENNIS KEYES is on the pre-season watch list for the Thorpe Award which is presented to the nation’s top defensive back. In the 2007 opener at Stanford, he made six tackles, including four solos. Against BYU, he made a team-high 10 tackles (eight solos). On the year, he leads the team with 16 tackles.

Redshirt senior safety MATTHEW SLATER contributed on various special teams versus Stanford in the 2007 opener. He averaged 33.0 yards on two kickoff returns and also made four tackles (three solos). Against BYU, he averaged 23.7 yards on three kickoff returns, had one tackle and forced a fumble. On the year, he is averaging 27.4 yards on five kickoff returns (29th in NCAA, 3rd in Pac-10).

Redshirt junior punter AARON PEREZ is leading the Pac-10 and ranks 16th nationally with his average of 44.8 yards on 14 kicks with seven inside the 20-yard line. Six have been returned for a 4.2 average.

Redshirt freshman KAI FORBATH has made three of five field goals and all nine PATs for a team-high 18 points. He ranks first (tied) in the Pac-10 in field goals (1.50), second in kick-scoring (9.0) and fourth (tied) in scoring (9.0).

UCLA IN THE 2007 NCAA, PAC-10 STATS
INDIVIDUAL
Kahlil Bell -- rushing: T-13th in NCAA, 1st in Pac-10 (137.00); all-purpose yards: T-48th in NCAA, 2nd in Pac-10 (147.00); total offense: 10th in Pac-10 (137.00)
Chris Markey -- rushing: 14th in Pac-10 (60.50)
Ben Olson -- passing efficiency: 36th in NCAA, 5th in Pac-10 (137.03); passing yards: T-6th in Pac-10 (206.00); total offense: 8th in Pac-10 (191.00)
Brandon Breazell -- receiving: T-7th in Pac-10 (5.00); receiving yardage: 7th in Pac-10 (73.00)
Joe Cowan -- receiving yardage: T-13th in Pac-10 (52.00); scoring: T-12th in Pac-10 (16.0)
Aaron Perez -- punting: 16th in NCAA, 1st in Pac-10 (44.79)
Matthew Slater -- kickoff returns: 29th in NCAA, 3rd in Pac-10 (27.40)
Terrence Austin -- punt returns: 30th in NCAA, 1st in Pac-10 (11.88)
Kai Forbath -- field goals: T-26th in NCAA, T-1st in Pac-10 (1.50); scoring: T-4th in Pac-10 (9.00); kick scoring: 2nd in Pac-10 (9.00).
Bruce Davis -- sacks: T-10th in NCAA, T-3rd in Pac-10 (1.00); fumbles recovered: T-3rd in Pac-10 (0.50); fumbles caused T-2nd in Pac-10 (0.50); passes defensed: T-5th in Pac-10 (1.50)
Korey Bosworth -- sacks: T-10th in NCAA, T-3rd in Pac-10 (1.00)
Dennis Keyes -- tackles: T-9th in Pac-10 (8.00)
Reggie Carter -- tackles: T-13th in Pac-10 (7.00)
Tom Blake -- sacks: T-10thin NCAA, T-3rd in Pac-10 (1.00)
Trey Brown -- passes defensed: 1st in NCAA, 1st in Pac-10 (5.00); interceptions: T-32nd in NCAA, T-2nd in Pac-10 (0.50); fumbles recovered: T-3rd in Pac-10 (0.50); fumbles forced: T-2nd in Pac-10 (0.50)
Aaron Whittington -- tackles: T-24th in Pac-10 (6.00)
Christian Taylor -- tackles: T-24th in Pac-10 (6.00)
Alterraun Verner -- passes defensed: T-5th in Pac-10 (1.50)

TEAM
Rushing Offense: 22nd in NCAA, 3rd in Pac-10 (224.00)
Passing Offense: T-76th in NCAA, 6th in Pac-10 (206.00)
Pass Efficiency Offense: 34th in NCAA, 4th in Pac-10 (137.05)
Total Offense: 33rd in NCAA, 5th in Pac-10 (430.00)
Scoring Offense: 28th in NCAA, 5th in Pac-10 (36.00)
Rushing Defense: 16th in NCAA, 3rd in Pac-10 (48.00)
Pass Defense: 114th in NCAA, 10th in Pac-10 (361.00)
Pass Efficiency Defense: 47th in NCAA, 5th in Pac-10 (115.05)
Total Defense: 83rd in NCAA, 6th in Pac-10 (409.00)
Scoring Defense: T-29th in NCAA, 4th in Pac-10 (17.00)
Third Down Conversion Defense: T-25th in NCAA, 4th in Pac-10 (29.4)
Red Zone Offense: T-4th in Pac-10 (87.5)
Red Zone Defense: T-7th in Pac-10 (83.3)
Net Punting: 26th in NCAA, 2nd in Pac-10 (38.53)
Turnover Margin: T-17th in NCAA, T-2nd in Pac-10 (+1.50)
Sacks: T-8th in NCAA, T-2nd in Pac-10 (4.00)
Tackles for Loss: T-38th in NCAA, 5th in Pac-10 (7.00)
Fumbles Lost: T-1st in NCAA, T-1st in Pac-10 (0.0)
Punt Returns: 43rd in NCAA, 3rd in Pac-10 (11.88)
Kickoff Returns: 19th in NCAA, 3rd in Pac-10 (26.33)
Kickoff Coverage: 6th in Pac-10 (42.9)

RED ZONE — Against Stanford, UCLA was four of five on Red Zone opportunities, scoring four passing touchdowns for 28 points. The fifth trip ended with a missed field goal. Against BYU, UCLA was three of three for 17 points (two rushing touchdowns and one field goal. On the year, UCLA is seven of eight in the Red Zone with six touchdowns (four passing, two rushing) and one field goal for 45 points.
Stanford converted both of its opportunities (one passing touchdown, one field goal) for 10 points. BYU was three of four in the Red Zone with two passing touchdowns, one field goal and one fumble for 17 points. On the year, opponents have converted five of six opportunities with three passing touchdowns and two field goals for 27 points.

TURNOVERS — In the 2007 opener at Stanford, UCLA caused one fumble (Trey Brown) but did not convert it into points. Against BYU, Trey Brown returned an interception for a touchdown. UCLA also recovered two fumbles (T.Brown and Blake) and converted one into a field goal for a total of 10 points. On the year, UCLA has recovered three fumbles and made one interception and converted them into 10 points.
UCLA did not commit a turnover against Stanford. BYU made one interception and converted into a touchdown (seven points). In two games, UCLA has commited just one turnover (interception) for seven points.