Forbath kicks Bruins to victory

The Bruins ended their three game losing streak in dramatic fashion when Kai Forbath calmly drilled a 51-yard field goal as the clocked ticked to zero.

It was redemption time for Forbath who missed his previous two attempts. He missed a 49-yard attempt in the second quarter and a 46-yarder in the fourth quarter.

It was a gutsy call that made the winning field work. With four seconds on the clock with the score 14-14, the Bruins had three choices. Attempt a 63-yard field goal. Get out the rosary beads and go for a Hail Mary or try to get the ball in closer range so Forbath would have a chance at the game winner.

The Bruins went for the latter, but with UCLA, nothing is ever easy. UCLA sophomore quarterback Richard Brehaut hit sophomore wide receiver Randall Carroll for 12 yards but the referees called that time had run out.

UCLA head coach, Rick Neuheisel challenged the call as a restless and anxiety ridden fan base awaited the outcome.

When the officials ruled that there was one second left on the clock the UCLA roared with delight.

"I knew I had four seconds," Bruin wide receiver Randall Carroll said. "So I was counting the whole way on my route.

"I caught the ball at three seconds so I knew I was out of bounds in time," Carroll said. "I was running to Coach Neuheisel to tell him to challenge, but he already did."

The stage was now set for UCLA's Lou Groza winner to put an end to UCLA's losing streak and to start November off in the right direction. He hit it perfectly and then Forbath was mobbed on the field by a relieved Bruin football team.

"I've always wanted one of those," Forbath said about his game winning kick. "With a couple of games left in the Rose Bowl it was a perfect opportunity to get one. We needed that win real bad. It is going to help our team's momentum and give us more confidence going into the next one."

An equally relieved Neuheisel gave his kicker high praise.

"Death, taxes and Forbath," Neuheisel said. "Those are three things in life you can count on.

"It was a great win for us, given what we've been through over the last month and rise up and play at least well enough to enjoy a victory in this fashion is very exciting for all of us involved in the program," Neuheisel said. "Hopefully it will be a great catalyst as we try to earn our way into post season.

"I take my hat off to the defense," Neuheisel said. "I thought they were spectacular. It was as good as they've played since the Texas game and hopefully it is something that we can build on."

The defense was spectacular. The swarmed the ball and they hit. True freshman, Dietrich Riley wowed the crowd with a bone crunching hit on Oregon State's star running back, Jacquizz Rodgers ended up knocking the helmet off the running back.

True freshman linebacker, Jordan Zumwalt made the most of his first start leading the Bruins in tackles with nine. He accounted for a sack for -13 yards and a tackle for loss for -13 yards.

Junior linebackers Sean Westgate and Akeem Ayers also had good games. Westgate had eight tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. Ayers had six tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.

The defensive backfield was as tight as a drum. There wasn't a lot room for Oregon State sophomore quarterback, Ryan Katz throw.

The offense was not without their heroes. You can see the growth in Richard Brehaut who was starting in only his fourth game, he hit on 13 passes out of 19 attempts for 127 yards and one interception. He rushed gross yards rushed was 86 yards, but 25 yards were taken away because of sacks so he had a net gain of 61 yards and a touchdown.

Johnathan Franklin was back in full "Jet Ski" mode as he rushed for 100 yards and touchdown. He had a fumble, but that was covered by the Bruins.

Carroll led the Bruins with six catches for 46 yards.