Backup quarterback leads Bruins to win over Wildcats

PASADENA, Calif. – Patrick Cowan, taking over for injured UCLA quarterback Ben Olson, threw for two touchdowns and Alterraun Verner returned an interception 89 yards for a score as the Bruins beat Arizona 27-7 Saturday.

Olson, a 23-year-old redshirt sophomore, sprained his left knee with 6:47 to play in the first quarter.

Cowan took over for UCLA (4-1, 2-1 Pac-10) and completed the first four passes of his college career, including a 10-yard TD toss to Marcus Everett for the game’s first points.

Cowan also threw a 15-yarder to Matt Willis in the second quarter.

The Bruins avenged last year’s shocker when the Wildcats knocked off an 8-0 and seventh-ranked UCLA team 52-14.

Arizona (2-4, 0-3) trailed 20-7 and was at the UCLA 16 with 4:33 to play when Verner picked off a short pass from Wildcats backup Adam Austin near the line of scrimmage and had a clear path to the goal line for a touchdown.

Arizona QB Willie Tuitama was knocked out of the game with a concussion.