Postseason honors

UCLA sophomore place kicker Kai Forbath has been named to Associated Press' All-America third team, it was announced today.

In 2008, Forbath made 19 of 22 field goal attempts, including his final 13 of the season. His average of 1.58 field goals tied for the Pac-10 lead and ranked 10th (tied) in the NCAA. He was also 10th in the league in scoring and fifth in kick-scoring (6.50). He made 17 of his final 18 attempts of the year, including the last 13. His 19 field goals in 2008 ranked No. 8 on UCLA's single-season list (his 25 field goals last year rank No.3 on that same list).

He has already kicked six field goals of at least 50 yards in his career, tying Justin Medlock's school record. In fact, Forbath is six for six from at least 50 yards in his two years as the Bruins' kicker. Forbath ranks fifth on the UCLA career field goals list with 44.

Forbath began the season by connecting from 42 yards in overtime to provide the winning margin against Tennessee. Forbath also made good on his only other attempt of the night, a 41-yarder in the third quarter. He was selected Pac-10 Special Teams Player of the Week. At BYU, Forbath had one field goal blocked (32) and missed a 27-yard attempt. Against Arizona, he converted his only attempt, a 35-yarder at the end of the first half. Against Fresno State, he tied his career best by kicking three field goals - 25, 46 and 35 yards - and made two of three PATs (the third was blocked) for 11 points. In the win over WSU, he made all four PATs and did not attempt a field goal. At Oregon, he made one of two field goals (missed from 47, made from 28) and all three PATs. He also handled the kickoff chores for the first time in his career.

In the win over Stanford, he tied his career high by making all three field goal attempts (37, 19 and 28 yards) and added two PATs. For his efforts, he was named Pac-10 Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season. He was also selected one of three Lou Groza Award Stars of the Week. At Cal, he made field goals of 23 and 38 yards and added two PATs. Against Oregon State, he made field goals of 29 and 35 yards - his seventh and eighth straight kicks. In the win at Washington, he made both of his field goal attempts (49 yards and 18 yards) and all three PATs.

At Arizona State, he kicked field goals of 53, 38 and 26 yards to account for all of UCLA's nine points. The 53-yard field goal was his longest of the year and the sixth of at least 50 yards in his career, tying that school record. Against USC, he made his only PAT and did not have a field goal attempt.

True freshman wide receiver Taylor Embree has been selected second-team Freshman All-America , Sporting News announced today.

Embree was second on the squad with his 40 receptions and led the team with 531 yards. His average of 13.3 yards was the second-highest on the team among players with more than one reception. He produced a team-high 28 first downs with his 40 receptions. His receptions and receiving yards totals were UCLA records for true freshmen. He also ranked 12th in the Pac-10 in receiving yards (44.25) and 15th in receptions (3.33) - highest among freshmen in both categories.

He came off the bench in the 2008 opener against Tennessee and caught four passes (53 yards). He made two big catches on the Bruin fourth-quarter scoring drives. The first was a 12-yard catch which came on a third-and-nine play on the drive which put UCLA up 17-14. Embree and quarterback Kevin Craft connected on a 21-yard play to begin the scoring drive which gave UCLA a 24-21 lead with 27 seconds left. At BYU, he made one reception (18 yards). He made his first career start versus Arizona and had two receptions (12). He started against Fresno State and tied for the team lead with three receptions (48). Against WSU, he again started and made five receptions (63), one for 23 yards. At Oregon, he tied for the team lead with a career-best six receptions (58). The six catches were a school record total for a true freshman in a game. In the win over Stanford, he made four receptions for a team-high 72 yards. His 43-yard reception late in the third quarter was the longest by a Bruin this year and set up Kai Forbath's field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter. At Cal, he tied for the team lead with five catches for a career-high 90 yards. He led the team with five receptions (64) against Oregon State, his seventh straight start. He came off the bench at Washington but did not make a reception. He started at Arizona State and made four receptions for 43 yards. He made one reception for 10 yards off the bench versus USC.