Shane Vereen rushed eight yards into the end zone to give the Bears their first lead of the game, 10-3 with 2:05 left in the first quarter. It was Vereen's ninth touchdown of the season. He came into the game fourth in the nation in scoring (12.0 points per game), which also ties him for first place in the Pac-10.

The drive was set up by a 28-yard punt return by Jeremy Ross. Ross came into the game 17th in the nation in punt return average (12.2 yards per return).