The Stanford Cardinal have to be happy that they've been gifted two turnovers. Richard Brehaut's fumble set up an early Cardinal touchdown, and then Taylor Embree fumbled a punt at midfield to set up Stanford with an early second half scoring drive. Those have been the difference between decisive Stanford lead and close game with upset potential.
Andrew Luck started the third quarter by hooking up with Coby Fleener for his second touchdown on a 49 yard catch. Tyler Gaffney capitalized on the Embree fumble and took it up the gut for 16 yards to give Stanford a 31-13 lead.
The Stanford defense has had trouble stopping UCLA's offense though. Richard Brehaut marched the Bruins down the field twice on big scoring drives. UCLA has put up 8 play, 65 yard and 9 play, 56 yard drives on two methodical scoring drives to cut the lead down to 31-19 late in the first half (although Jeff Locke missed two extra points). But an unexpected UCLA onside kick set up Stanford with great field position, and the Cardinal punched it in for potentially decisive points with a Stepfan Taylor one yard rush.
For more on Stanford football, check out Rule of Tree. For more on UCLA football, go to Bruins Nation.