Notebook | L.A. homecoming for former Bruin player

PASADENA, Calif. -- Byron Davenport had seen this before, just not from this view.

In the one season he spent as an active player for UCLA in 2005, the Bruins never lost in the Rose Bowl, going 6-0.

The Bruins won again here Saturday night, beating the Huskies 44-31 and marring what was an otherwise successful homecoming for Davenport. He was on the UCLA roster for two years before transferring for what he said were personal reasons related to a family situation.

"It was fun and exciting," said Davenport, a cornerback.

Even more so since he finally saw some significant action, playing in passing situations in the first half and then playing regularly in the second half. Davenport, who arrived at UW this fall expected to make a big impact in shoring up the secondary, had played just four plays in the first three games -- all against Boise State -- while battling injuries to both hamstrings.

He finished with five tackles and also broke up a pass against the Bruins while filling in for the spot that had been held the first three games by true freshmen Vonzell McDowell Jr., who officially played only on special teams. Matt Mosley started in McDowell's place before Davenport took over in the second half.

Davenport said UW coaches asked him at halftime "if I felt good and I said, 'yeah.' "

Davenport may have worked his way into the starting lineup with his performance, though UW coach Tyrone Willingham said it was too early to tell.

Cowans hook up

Junior Patrick Cowan got the start at quarterback for UCLA in place of the injured Ben Olson, out with concussion-like symptoms. Cowan is the son of former Washington quarterback Tim Cowan (1978-82) and the younger brother of UCLA receiver Joe Cowan, a senior.

Before Saturday night, however, Patrick and Joe had never played together at UCLA. Joe Cowan was sidelined with a knee injury last year when Patrick started eight games at quarterback.

But it didn't take long for the two to connect Saturday night. They hooked up on a 13-yard pass on UCLA's third play of the game.

Patrick Cowan, however, exited with a knee injury in the fourth quarter.

Home sweet home

The Huskies had 27 Californians on the 64-man travel roster for last night's game.

For many, it's a chance to visit and play in front of friends and family.

"But it's business trip," said UW linebacker Dan Howell who is from Newhall, Calif., about 30 minutes from the Rose Bowl. Howell's brother, Delano, is a star for Hart High School, and usually attends Dan's games in California. But Delano Howell missed Saturday night's game, because he was scheduled for his official recruiting visit to Stanford, the school he has already said he will attend.

UCLA, meanwhile, has just two Washingtonians on its roster -- receiver Jamil Turner of Bethel and tight end Adam Heater of Snohomish. Neither was on UCLA's two-deep roster for the UW game. Heater is the son of former UW assistant coach Chuck Heater, now an assistant at Florida.

8 true frosh make trip

The Huskies brought eight true freshmen on the trip -- running backs Curtis Shaw and Brandon Johnson, defensive backs Nate Williams, Victor Aiyewa and Vonzell McDowell Jr., linebacker/fullback Austin Sylvester, linebacker Mason Foster and quarterback Ronnie Fouch.

All but Fouch -- who will make all trips as the third quarterback but isn't expected to play this season -- have played. All other true freshmen are expected to redshirt.

Washington played just two true freshmen last year -- linebacker Donald Butler and fullback Paul Homer.

Catching on

Washington coaches threatened to shake up the receiving corps this week because drops were a problem the previous two games. They had hoped to get more playing time for the likes of redshirt freshman D'Andre Goodwin. The Huskies also brought two walk-on receivers on the trip, Charles Hawkins and Tony Chidiac.

Notes

• Washington athletic director Todd Turner was unable to attend the game. He stayed in Seattle to be with his son, Drew, who dislocated his right ankle in Seattle Prep's football game against O'Dea Friday night. Drew Turner, a junior, is Seattle Prep's leading receiver.

• Johnson and Luke Kravitz were back to receive the opening kickoff for UW. Neither did those duties last week, with Johnson out with bruised ribs and Kravitz suffering a broken bone in his hand in the opener against Syracuse.

• Senior receiver Cody Ellis was in on the second play of the game after having played sparingly so far this season due to a hamstring injury.

• Matt Mosley started at one cornerback spot in place of McDowell and Trenton Tuiasosopo started at middle linebacker ahead of Butler.

• The Huskies had nine sacks through their first six quarters of football this season. In the last 10, six, they've had one.