UCLA’s Datone Jones is receptive to scoring

Defensive end Datone Jones got in the scoring column last week, tackling Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez for a safety. He upped that total considerably against Houston on Saturday.

Jones, playing tight end, caught a seven-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to give the Bruins a 14-0 lead. It was the first reception of Jones’ career at UCLA.

UCLA’s offense does not have a traditional tight end. Jones was used at the position briefly against Nebraska.

Jones was back to his usual duties moments later, dropping Houston running back Ryan Jackson for a five-yard loss.

Franklin moving up

UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin continued his climb up the Bruins’ all-time rushing chart.

Franklin started the game with 3,100 yards and needed 96 more to go from seventh place to second on the Bruins’ career list, behind Gaston Green’s record of 3,371 yards.

Franklin had an eight-yard run in the second quarter to move into sixth place ahead of Skip Hicks (1993-97), who had 3,140 yards in his career.

Baca, Adams out

UCLA guard Jeff Baca did not play Saturday. Baca left last week’s Nebraska game with what was believed to be a concussion. He did not practice during the week.

Baca suffered a concussion in August and sat out nearly three weeks.

Brett Downey started at right guard in Baca’s place. Downey’s last start was at tackle against Illinois in the Kraft Fights Hunger Bowl.

Cornerback Ishmael Adams also was absent from the lineup for undisclosed reasons. Adams, a freshman, has played in pass defensive packages this season.

UCLA does not disclose injuries.

Rice sighting

Jerry Rice Jr., a little used walk-on, got into the game plan this week.

Rice, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, had an eight-yard reception in the first quarter. It was the third reception of his UCLA career.

Y-back Darius Bell, a converted quarterback, had his first UCLA reception, catching a nine-yard pass in the first quarter.

Ekbatani honored

Former UCLA offensive lineman Nick Ekbatani was an honorary captain for the game.

Ekbatani lost his left leg below the knee in a motorcycle accident this summer.

“You always hear guys say they would die for another opportunity to get on that field,� Ekbatani said. “Against all odds, I lived for it.�

He refused to use crutches to come on to the field for the coin toss, choosing to hop with UCLA captains Jeff Locke, Andrew Abbott, Damien Holmes and Franklin.

“I was way too amped to go on that field to use those things,� Ekbatani said.

The Big Nick Fund was set up at gofundme.com/venb8 to help with his medical expenses.

Fight off?

The biggest cheer of the first half came when Stanford’s 21-14 victory over second-ranked USC was announced before the start of the second quarter.

The last time UCLA was the only undefeated team in Los Angeles was 2009, when the Bruins were 3-0 and the Trojans 2-1.

[email protected]

twitter.com/cfosterlatimes