Luke Duncan benched for AJ Bianco after 3 picks vs. UCLA

The worst of it came against a guy he used to practice against. UCLA's Derrick Barksdale jumped a short out and took it back for 6.

Bruin Report Online

@BruinReport

Duncan floated it on a short out, and threw into some real congestion. It wasn't difficult for Derrick Barksdale to pluck it out of the air and bring it back 26 yards for the TD. UCLA 10-0, 7:33 left in first.

That put UCLA up 10-0 with 7:33 still left in the 1st quarter, according to the beat reporters in the building. It was also a family moment in the press box: Barksdale's dad shares his name, so the Rose Bowl PA announced 'Derrick Barksdale' and both of them got to hear it.

Barksdale had already had a shot at another one and dropped it. He didn't drop the 2nd. By the time Nevada's 3rd drive was over, Duncan's line looked like this:

Ben Bolch

@calpostbbolch

Luke Duncan so far: 1 of 8 for 36 yards with 3 interceptions.

That's brutal, and it's a big step back from a week ago. Duncan spent 3 seasons at UCLA without a clear path to the job and transferred to Nevada this offseason. He got his chance because starter Carter Jones is out a 2nd straight week with an arm and elbow injury. Last week he looked like he'd figured it out, going 18-of-29 for 178 yards, 2 touchdowns and no turnovers in a 28-13 win over San Jose State. Then he came home to Pasadena and threw 3 picks in about 20 minutes.

Brady Charette

@BradyCharette

Head coach Jeff Choate has seen enough. Luke Duncan has been benched and slots AJ Bianco under center for Nevada's 4th drive.

Choate didn't wait for halftime this time. Back in September he let Duncan throw 2 interceptions in the first half against Montana State and pulled him at the break. Against UCLA, Bianco was in for Nevada's 4th drive. Bianco is a fifth-year senior and more of a runner than a passer, and he came into the week nursing a sprained ankle. That tells you how little patience was left.

Nevada came in 3-4 and a 22.5-point underdog against a No. 7 UCLA team going for its first 8-0 start since 2005, so the Wolf Pack were never really expected to win. The question is what happens at quarterback from here. Jones is hurt, Bianco is banged up, and Duncan's 2 rough starts bookend the San Jose State game. If Jones isn't back next week, Choate is picking between a QB who's been benched twice and one playing on a bad ankle.