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Pasadena, Calif. • Getting blistered in the passing game and missing tackle after tackle, Utah's defense didn't look like Utah's defense.

Except for one key stat: turnovers.

While Utah at times made backup quarterback Mike Fafaul look like the five-star recruit he came in to replace, the Utes came up with four interceptions and fumble recovery that proved key in the 52-45 victory.

Even giving up over 500 yards of offense — 487 yards of it from Fafaul — Utah was able to replicate the key part of its "four and a score" philosophy to give the team a plus-three turnover margin.

For that, coach Kyle Whittingham was willing to overlook the ragged parts on the side of the ball where Utah typically stakes its reputation.

"The pass rush wasn't as good as it usually is. The coverage wasn't nearly as good as it usually is," he said. "But we had enough."

Only a week after holding Oregon State to 100 yards, Utah was exposed by Fafaul and his athletic receivers. As a part of a 21-0 run in the first half, Fafaul led 71- and 76-yard scoring drives to erase a 14-0 Utah start. On the first drive, three defensive penalties cost the Utes and put UCLA in position for a score. On the second drive, the Bruins beat the Utes themselves.

UCLA kept going to the pass time after time: The team totaled only 16 rushing attempts for 46 yards in a deliberate strategy, UCLA coach Jim Mora said. But one-dimensional still worked.

It was sloppy stuff: Utah missed tackles and was beaten in footraces across the field.

One particularly low moment came in the third quarter, when Jordan Lasley broke free of Brian Allen's tackle and turned upfield for a 75-yard touchdown to tie the game at 35.

But the same players who were burned also came up with key plays: Allen picked off Fafaul twice, as did safety Jordan Fogal, making his first career start in place of injured all-conference defender Marcus Williams.

Fogal's last pick came in the fourth quarter in the end zone, stalling UCLA's comeback attempt until the end when time was running out.

Whittingham admitted that Williams was missed at free safety: His presence makes the middle of the field a "nonfactor" of a threat for opposing offenses, who are forced to throw away from him. But Fogal performed admirably, he said.

In Rosen's stead, Fafaul has thrown eight touchdown passes in the past two weeks, but also six interceptions. In the end, Utah's defense made him pay.

"Coach [Morgan] Scalley always tells us to play our brand of defense: physical and nasty," Allen said. "We just kept playing that way."

kgoon@sltrib.com Twitter: @kylegoon