UCLA blanks Nevada, storms to 8-0 for first time since 2005 - ESPN

PASADENA, Calif. — Another week, another win for unbeaten and seventh-ranked UCLA.

Ty Dieffenbach threw for one touchdown and rushed for another, and the defense forced three interceptions in the first quarter in a 27-0 rout of Nevada on Saturday as the Bruins improved to 8-0 for the first time since 2005.

«To get yourself to 8-0 is a big deal and to shut a team out at any level is a big deal,» first-year coach Bob Chesney said. «There's a lot of work that still needs to go into this thing and we got to get better.»

It was UCLA's first shutout at the Rose Bowl since beating Oregon 16-0 on Nov. 24, 2007. The Bruins had been favored by 22 1/2 points over the Wolf Pack (3-5).

UCLA punctuated the game with its fourth interception in the final seconds by defensive back Ty Lee.

The offense got off to a sluggish start for the second straight game.

Cornerback Scooter Jackson intercepted Nevada quarterback Luke Duncan on his first play of the game, setting up a 26-yard field goal by Mateen Bhaghani for a 3-0 lead.

Running back Anthony Woods picked off Duncan on Nevada's second drive after the ball got tipped in the air at the UCLA 16.

Defensive back Derrick Barksdale came up with a pick-six in the quarter, leading to his 26-yard TD run that made it 10-0 and chased Duncan, who transferred from Chesney was hired last December. Duncan finished 1 for 8 for 36 yards.

«I think everybody saw that the ball was sailing and he wasn't comfortable in the pocket,» Wolf Pack coach Jeff Choate said. «He was throwing off his back foot, and even the balls that weren't intercepted were in harm's way.»

The Bruins have 16 interceptions this season after just one at this point last year, when they won only three games.

Dieffenbach scored on a 4-yard