PASADENA, Calif. – It’s tough to blame Ohio State defensive tackle Tim Anderson for being a little upset and a little sad following Saturday’s loss to UCLA.

The OSU defense performed admirably, giving up only 13 points and 61 yards rushing. The effort was futile, though, as the offense scored zero points in the 13-6 loss.

UCLA Heisman Trophy hopeful running back DeShaun Foster ran the ball for 66 yards on 29 carries. The 66 yards and 2.3 yards per rush were Foster’s lowest totals since 1999.

After Foster had his way with the OSU defense in the first quarter, running 11 times for 45 yards, he totaled only 21 yards on 18 carries the rest of the way.

OSU defensive end Will Smith credited small adjustments to stopping Foster.

“He’s a great running back, we just played great defense today,” he said. “(After the first quarter) we just did some simple stuff. We just had to stay in our gaps.”

Like Anderson though, Smith was disappointed.

“We just thought we got to keep giving them (the offense) the ball and eventually they will make some plays,” Smith said.

The Buckeye offense made no such plays.

Forcing four turnovers, two of which came inside the UCLA 15-yard line resulted in zero Buckeye points.

OSU coach Jim Tressel also praised the defensive effort.

“I’m proud that the guys kept fighting. Despite the fact we didn’t move the football, they kept coming up with ways to keep us in the game – the special teams and the defense,” he said.

The special teams Tressel speaks of is the punting game.

OSU punter Andy Groom, arguably the Buckeyes most valuable player of the day, consistently kept the Bruins in poor starting field possession. He averaged 46.8 yards on his six punts, which included two inside the 20-yard line and a 61 yarder.

The Buckeyes’ sole touchdown also came on a punt play. With 3 minutes and 31 seconds left in the first quarter, OSU safety Mike Doss raced up the middle untouched and blocked a UCLA punt into the end zone where OSU wide receiver Ricky Bryant landed on it for six points.

The game’s only offensive drive worth merit was the game’s first. UCLA took the opening kickoff and methodically went down field, scoring on the 14th play of the drive when UCLA quarterback Cory Paus connected with wide receiver Ryan Smith in the corner of the endzone for a 24-yard TD pass.

OSU safety Donnie Nickey took the blame on the touchdown.

“That was my guy,” he said. “I got beat.”

Fittingly, the play came on third down. On the drive, the Bruins converted all five third down conversations. From that point on though, the Bruins faltered on third down, converting only one of their next 10 attempts.

The Bruins, however, were able to capitalize on their success during the first drive.

“They caught us in a blitz on that touchdown,” Tressel said.

UCLA wide receiver Tab Perry would prove to be a thorn in the side of the Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl on Saturday.

Of his four catches, three went for first downs and two came on third down, none bigger than his 17-yard catch on third and 13 with three minutes to go.

OSU linebacker Matt Wilhelm led the defensive charge with 10 tackles and two tackles for loss.

In addition to his blocked punt, Mike Doss had seven tackles and a fumble recovery.