Sept. 11, 2004

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By JIM PAUL
Associated Press Writer

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Drew Olson threw three touchdown passes and Maurice Drew rushed for 142 yards Saturday to help UCLA snap a six-game losing streak with a 35-17 win over Illinois.

Olson completed scoring passes of 41 and 14 yards to Craig Bragg in the first half and threw a 15-yard score to Maurice Lewis in the fourth quarter as the Bruins snapped a string of losses dating back to last Nov. 1.

Manuel White added 97 yards rushing for the Bruins (1-1), who had 477 yards of total offense, their second straight game with more than 400 yards. Olson finished 14-of-21 for 208 yards.

Illinois (1-1) played the second half without senior quarterback Jon Beutjer, who injured his ribs late in the first half. Backup Brad Bower, a redshirt freshman, was 11-of-15 for 102 yards and ran for another 39 yards, leading the Illini to 10 second-half points.

But three turnovers hurt Illinois. The Bruins converted a fumble and an interception into touchdowns.

UCLA scored on its first two possessions of the game. After taking over on downs after Illinois failed on a fourth-and-1 at the UCLA 4, the Bruins marched 96 yards, ending with Olson's 41-yard touchdown throw to Bragg.

After forcing the Illini to punt, the Bruins went to the run and Drew completed a five-play, 65-yard drive with a 47-yard touchdown run.

The Bruins came out in the second half with a 10-play, 80-yard drive to take a 28-7 lead with 10:20 to play in the third quarter.

Beutjer was 12-of-22 for 146 yards before he was hurt. He hit Franklin Payne from 16 yards out for Illinois' first touchdown with 13:47 left in the first half.

E.B. Halsey rushed for 97 yards and Kendrick Jones caught six passes for 110 yards for the Illini.