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PASADENA, Calif. — Oklahoma finally found its offense Saturday inside the historic Rose Bowl. But in the process, gave away a game.

The 21st-ranked Sooners committed three costly turnovers that led directly to 17 UCLA points, as the Bruins pulled away late in the contest for a 41-24 victory.

Three lost fumbles, including one that was returned 13 yards for a third-quarter touchdown, proved disastrous for
OU, which fell to 1-2 for the first time in the Bob Stoops era.

Quarterback Drew Olson and his UCLA mates took full advantage of the Sooners’ generosity by picking apart the visitors’ defense for 397 total yards, including 139 in the final
quarter. The Bruins (3-0) scored three times in
that quarter to end any hopes of an OU comeback.

OU’s Adrian Peterson was limited to 58 yards on 23 carries, but quarterback Rhett Bomar countered with 269 yards of offense that included 241 through the air and a 16-yard TD run.

But it was a third-quarter fumble by Bomar, on a sack play, that allowed UCLA to steal the momentum for good, as Spencer Havner scooped up the loose ball and rambled 13 yards to put the Bruins up 20-10.

“You’re not going to win when you turn the ball over and put the ball on the ground like we did," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. "It's just poor football. Until we can be responsible with the ball, it's impossible to win.�

The last time the Sooners started with two losses in their first three games was 1997 when John Blake was at the helm. OU eventually finished 4-8 that season.

Olson, meanwhile, threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns to lead the hosts,, who defeated the Sooners for the first time in four tries.

“This game was big for our program," said Olson. “We knew they'd make us beat them with the pass. It's good to see that our passing game can open it up."

Olson finished the contest 28 of 38, firing scoring tosses of 19 yards to Andrew Baumgartner in the first quarter, and 19 yards to Marcedes Lewis and seven yards to Chris Markey.

Up by three points heading into the fourth quarter, UCLA opened it up on two Olson touchdown passes and Maurice Drew's 9-yard scoring run on the way to their first win over the Sooners.

The Sooners stuffed the Bruins on the ground this time, holding the dangerous Drew to 69 yards on 15 carries. More than 30 of those came on a run late in the game.

Meanwhile, Justin Medlock made field goals of 44 and 51 yards for the Bruins.

Bomar closed the afternoon 20 of 29 for 241 yards, and showed signs of becoming the offensive leader many believed he could be after coming out of high school in 2004 as the
top-rated QB in the country.

"I felt like Rhett started to get some rhythm and confidence in what he was doing," Stoops said of the redshirt freshman's outing against UCLA. "Our receivers made some nice plays, and that part of it, I feel like we're getting
somewhere."

Peterson, who began the game on the sidelines after being disciplined during the week for missing classes, scored on an 11-yard run in the third quarter to trim UCLA's lead to 20-17.

The 2004 Heisman runner-up, Peterson entered the game for Oklahoma's fourth offensive play and immediately made a good block near the goal line on Travis Wilson's 56-yard touchdown on a reverse.