Bruins are 3-0 with win over Kansas State
By Matt Stevens
Sept. 19, 2009 8:43 p.m.
In a game that remained tight until the middle of the fourth quarter, UCLA escaped the Rose Bowl with an ugly but encouraging 23-9 win over Kansas State.
With the win, the Bruins improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2005.
Redshirt senior quarterback Kevin Craft got the start and connected with senior receiver Terrence Austin for a 51-yard touchdown that sealed the victory.
Craft helped redeem himself from a 4-8 season in 2008. He threw for 186 yards and a touchdown with only one interception.
UCLA also saw its running game take off. Redshirt freshman Johnathan Franklin rushed for 119, becoming the first player to rush for more than 100 yards since Chris Markey rushed for 117 in the 2007 Las Vegas Bowl.
“I’m very pleased to be 3-0,” coach Rick Neuheisel said. “It’s a fun place to be, but we have to keep going.”
UCLA will rest during its upcoming bye week. The Bruins will travel to Stanford to open Pac-10 play on Oct. 3.
Compiled by Matt Stevens, Bruin Sports senior staff.
