UCLA vs. Oregon State: Two teams hungry for a win

Both UCLA and Oregon State are hoping to use this Pacific 12 Conference opener as a springboard -- or at least as an antidote for what’s been ailing them. UCLA is still stinging from last week’s 49-20 loss to Texas at the Rose Bowl. Oregon State had last Saturday off after being routed 35-0 at Wisconsin. Staff writer Chris Foster examines the game’s issues and matchups:

Gloom and doom

Oregon State defensive tackle Kevin Frahm told the Oregonian newspaper this week, “The vultures are circling the carcass” in Corvallis.

UCLA comes to town with its own ominous warnings.

Neither team has impressed with its body of work thus far:

•Oregon State opened with a loss to lower-division Sacramento State. UCLA beat the Cal State team it played, though it wobbled throughout its victory over San Jose State.

•UCLA was throttled by Texas, which picked off three of Kevin Prince’s first seven passes and scored on six of its first eight possessions. Oregon State was blasted by Wisconsin, but at least the Badgers are a top-10 team and it happened at Madison.

•Oregon State settled its quarterback controversy and will start Sean Mannion. UCLA has settled its quarterback controversy -- for this week -- and will start Richard Brehaut over Prince.

The loser faces more trouble next week. UCLA plays fifth-ranked Stanford. Oregon State gets Arizona State, among the preseason favorites to win the Pac-12’s south division.

Tackling a problem

UCLA has become a running-back school … as long as the running back is from the opposing school.

An opposing running back has rushed for more than 100 yards eight times in the Bruins’ last 10 games, including two California backs last season.

Joe Tresey, UCLA’s defensive coordinator, attributes the recent troubles to poor tackling and players being out of position. Texas had 284 yards rushing, with freshman Malcolm Brown getting 110.

“These things will get rectified sooner or later,” Tresey said. “It needs to, we all know it.”

Oregon State will be without tailback Malcolm Agnew, who gained 223 yards in the Beavers’ opener against Sacramento State. He will miss a second game with a hamstring injury. His replacement, Jordan Jenkins, is a former walk-on.

Better to receive?

Although the Beavers have running-game issues -- they had 23 yards against Wisconsin -- they have a dangerous receivers group, which got stronger this week with the return of James Rodgers.

Rodgers suffered a knee injury early last season that required two surgeries. He is expected to return to game action Saturday, though his playing time may be limited.

Oregon State also gets back tight end Joe Halahuni, who had off-season shoulder surgery.

The Beavers already have Markus Wheaton and freshman Brandin Cooks, a one-time verbal commitment to UCLA.

The Bruins have two veteran cornerbacks in Aaron Hester and Sheldon Prince, but little depth with Jamie Graham (knee surgery), Andrew Abbott (concussion) and Anthony Jefferson (back surgery) out. Brandon Sermons is the only cornerback on scholarship behind Hester and Price.

Sidelined

Oregon State will be without two of its top defensive linemen because of issues unrelated to football.

Tackle Dominic Glover, a senior, is out because of an academic problem Coach Mike Riley has declined to comment on. Castro Masaniai, a junior, was suspended for this game as punishment for pleading guilty to one count of misdemeanor coercion.

By the numbers

UCLA is 2-11 on the road in conference play since Rick Neuheisel became coach. The Bruins have lost six consecutive road games, five in conference play.

The Beavers have not started 0-3 in Riley’s 11 seasons as coach.

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UCLA;Category;OSU

27.0;scoring offense;14.0

34.7;scoring defense;32.0

214.3;pass offense;245.5

215.0;rush offense;144.5

429.3;total offense;390.0

209.7;pass defense;242.5

215.0;rush defense;139.5

424.7;total defense;382.0