MATCHUPS: UCLA (1-4, 1-1) vs. Oregon St. (1-3, 0-1)
Tonight, 6, Rose Bowl. TV: Pac-12 Networks. Radio: 570.
Marquee matchup
Oregon State receiver Isaiah Hodgins vs. the
UCLA secondary. Hodgins’ 509 yards receiving lead the Pac-12 Conference and rank eighth nationally, with the seven players ahead of him having all played in one more game. Hodgins makes nearly all of his catches count; 29 of 33 have gone for either a first down or a touchdown. UCLA cornerback Darnay Holmes, still rounding into form from an ankle injury that sidelined him for the season’s first two games, is likely to draw the assignment of slowing Hodgins. The Bruins’ secondary has been an unforeseen weakness on a team giving up 351.8 yards passing per game, most in the Pac-12.
Getting offensive
■ UCLA (378.4 ypg/25.2
ppg): Austin Burton is hoping to pull a Mike Fafaul, repeating what the onetime Bruins backup quarterback did in 2016 by beating Oregon State at the Rose Bowl. Burton appears in line to start unless Dorian Thompson-Robinson makes an unexpectedly speedy recovery from the leg injury that knocked him out of UCLA’s loss to Arizona last weekend.
■ Oregon State (482.5
ypg/34.3 ppg): The Beavers could give UCLA’s improved run defense its biggest test of the season. Running backs Jermar Jefferson, B.J. Baylor and Artavis Pierce have each rushed for 100 yards in at least one game as part of Oregon State’s balanced offensive attack.
Getting defensive
■ UCLA (514.4 ypg/35.6
ppg): After forcing a seasonhigh six turnovers against Washington State, the Bruins did not generate one takeaway against Arizona. Linebacker Keisean LucierSouth has had a big influence in his return from an academic suspension, recording three tackles for loss and two sacks in just two games.
■ Oregon State (427.8
ypg/30.3 ppg): Oregon State’s 31 team tackles for loss rank tied for second in the Pac-12, just two behind league-leader Oregon. Linebacker Hamilcar Rashed Jr. leads the conference with 71⁄2 tackles for loss and five sacks.
Something special
UCLA kicker J.J. Molson and Oregon State counterpart Jordan Choukair have each made just two of five field-goal attempts this season.
Of note
Oregon State and Iowa are the only teams in the nation that have committed just one turnover this season. The Beavers are also one of three teams, along with Appalachian State and West Virginia, that have not lost a fumble.
Injury report
Besides ThompsonRobinson, who may have to sit out his first full game of the season, the Bruins could be without receiver Theo Howard, safety Quentin Lake and running back Martell Irby because of various injuries. … Oregon State center Nathan Eldridge’s status is a gametime decision and punt returner Jesiah Irish is out.