Craft rallies UCLA past Tennessee, 24-21

Led by a much-maligned transfer quarterback, UCLA rallied from a dismal first half tonight to stun 18th-ranked Tennessee, 27-24, in overtime at the Rose Bowl.

A 42-yard field goal by Kai Forbath concluding the Bruins' first possession of overtime proved the difference.

Tennessee's Daniel Lincoln missed from 34 yards out on the Volunteers' possession, making Rick Neuheisel an upset winner in his first game as UCLA's coach.

The real hero, though, was Kevin Craft, a junior who was recruited out of a community college to be the Bruins' third-string quarterback.

Craft suffered through an abysmal first half performance in which he completed just seven of 18 passes for 66 yards and had four intercepted.

Thereafter, however, he was a different player.

In the third and fourth quarters, Craft completed 18 of 23 passes for 193 yards, saving his best for when all seemed lost -- after a 20-yard touchdown run by Montario Hardesty had given Tennessee a 21-17 lead with less than two minutes to play.

Craft simply led the Bruins right back down the field, completing six of eight passes on a nine-play, 70-yard scoring drive that ended when he connected with tight end Ryan Moya for a 24-21 lead.

But with 27 seconds left in regulation, UCLA couldn't make the lead hold up.

Tennessee took over at its own 43 and scored as time expired on a 47-yard field goal by Lincoln, tying the score, 24-24.

In overtime, each team gets the ball at the opponent's 25 yard line.

UCLA gained just two yards, but Forbath made his kick.

Tennessee moved closer, but Lincoln missed his.

mike.hiserman@latimes.com