By Matt Schulz
FANSonly.com

SAN DIEGO - Cade McNown found out just how good Virginia's defense is. Because of that, No. 5 UCLA will be at home for the remainder of the Virtual Championship Series.

The Cavaliers' defense forced the Heisman finalist into two interceptions, sacked him four times and shut down the high-flying UCLA offense in Virginia's stunning 31-3 upset of the favored Bruins.

The Cavaliers will get a shot at an even bigger upset next week vs. 4th-seeded Ohio State in the Orange Bowl. But for now, they're celebrating arguably the biggest win in school history.

It didn't look like a rout initially, however. UCLA scored first -- a 26-yard field goal by Chris Sailer with 2:14 left in the first -- after marching down the field in impressive fashion.

But as was the case most of the day, penalties killed any Bruins' hopes of getting in the end zone. The Bruins were flagged 13 times for 93 yards, including three times on the scoring drive, and had to settle for three points.

Then, after the field goal, the roof caved in for UCLA.

Next Virginia drive: 36-yard field goal.

Next: 5-yard TD run by Thomas Jones.

Two possessions later: Another Jones TD, this time for two yards.

Just like that, 17-3 Cavaliers at halftime.

Meanwhile, UCLA could never get momentum. They mustered just 41 yards on 33 carries and punted eight times. When they could string together a couple of first downs, McNown (13-of-29, 198 yds., 0 TDs, 2 INTs) would kill the drive with an interception or the penalty flags would fly.

The Cavaliers added two more scores in the second half, including a back-breaking 21-yard strike from Aaron Brooks to Terrence Wilkins in the third quarter.

UCLA would threaten to score just once more. McNown and favorite target Danny Farmer connected for 12 and 34 yards to move the ball quickly into Virginia territory. However, consecutive false-start penalties forced the Bruins into a third-and-long situation. McNown then floated a pass behind UCLA's Brian Poli-Dixon and into the arms of Cavalier DB Dwayne Stukes.