Oregon State has quick turnaround

Oregon State, which will face UCLA at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, has won four consecutive games and could finish as high as second in the Pacific 10 Conference.

But the turning point for the Beavers was not the start of their winning streak, according to Coach Mike Riley. Things began to come together for Oregon State the week before in a 13-6 loss at home to Washington State.

“We played great defense in that game, but we just couldn’t score,” said Riley of the Beavers, who are 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Pac-10. “Our defense has played well since then, and on offense we’ve been able to find better balance.”

Oregon State’s ground game is led by 5-foot-9 junior running back Yvenson Bernard, who is second in the Pac-10 in rushing, averaging 101.5 yards despite being slowed in recent weeks because of an ankle injury.

Bernard, who did not play in the Beavers’ victory over three-time defending Pac-10 champion USC two weeks ago, has rushed for at least 100 yards in 10 of his last 16 games.

“He’s a smaller guy who’s very thick,” UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker said. “You can’t just run up to him and knock him down. We’re going to have to do a real good job of tackling against him.”

Senior quarterback Matt Moore’s statistics for the season are nothing special -- eight touchdown passes; six interceptions -- but he does a good job of getting the ball to Oregon State’s playmakers.

Junior receiver Sammie Stroughter leads the conference in receiving yards a game at 96.1 and is fourth with 47 catches. Senior tight end Joe Newton has caught at least three passes in a game six times this season.

“We have to do everything sharp defensively against them,” UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell said. “We have to control their run game, get coverage on their receivers and get pressure on Matt. We have our hands full.”

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After rushing for a season-low 22 yards against Washington State, junior running back Chris Markey gained 136 yards against California. Dorrell said Markey’s positive attitude played a major role in the turnaround.

“Markey played his best game since he’s been here,” Dorrell said. “I thought he ran well. He caught well. He caught some balls for us and made some plays on screens. He wanted to be a difference in the game.”

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UCLA ranks third in the nation in third-down conversion defense (26.7%), giving up only 31 first downs in 116 third-down opportunities.... Oregon State has 21 players from Southern California on its two-deep depth chart for Saturday’s game.... Former UCLA defensive back Milt Davis, who played under coach Red Sanders in 1952-53, will serve as an honorary captain for the Bruins on Saturday.

lonnie.white@latimes.com