LOS ANGELES (AP) -- UCLA has been an offensive powerhouse in recent years, averaging 30 points per game in 1996, just under 40 in 1997 and 1998, and 31 this season entering Saturday's game against California.

That apparently meant little to the Golden Bears, who put forth a dominating defensive performance.

Freshman Kyle Boller threw a touchdown pass, Saleem Muhammad ran for a score, and the California defense recorded its first shutout in over five years Saturday as the Bears beat UCLA 17-0.

"I would never in my wildest dream have expected a shutout," Cal coach Tom Holmoe said. "To win the Pac-10, you must always come to LA and win."

The shutout was the first for the Bears since they blanked San Jose State 55-0 on Oct. 1, 1994, and the Bruins were held scoreless for the first time since Washington State beat them 21-0 a week earlier.

UCLA (3-4 overall, 1-3 Pac-10) had scored 20 or more points in each of its last 31 games, and 10 or more in its last 38.

"It's real plain and simple -- they kicked our fannies," UCLA coach Bob Toledo said. "Cal just dominated us. A game like that is a real disappointment.

"We couldn't run the ball, we couldn't protect, we couldn't make first downs, and we couldn't score."

Cal (3-3, 2-1) snapped a four-game losing streak against UCLA and ended the Bruins' 13-game regular-season winning streak at the Rose Bowl.

The Bears gained 371 yards in total offense to just 168 for UCLA -- the Bruins' lowest total since they gained 158 yards during a 20-0 loss to Arizona State on Oct. 24, 1992.

Cal had the ball 38:18 to just 21:42 for the Bruins, and nine of UCLA's 55 scrimmage plays lost yardage.

"This was the biggest win of my career," said junior defensive end Andre Carter. "I felt like we had it under control most of the time, but you never know against these guys."

Boller threw a 27-yard scoring pass to fellow freshman Joseph Echema with 6:12 left in the first quarter, two plays after an illegal block nullified Deltha O'Neal's 40-yard punt return for a touchdown.

The Bears had put the Bruins in a hole when Nick Harris' 34-yard punt was downed at the UCLA 1. Harris later had a 68-yard punt, and averaged 53.1 yards for seven kicks.

There would be no more scoring until Muhammad's 33-yard touchdown run on a third-and-25 play with 10:45 left in the game. Boller kept that drive alive by completing a 39-yard pass to Sean Currin on third-and-26.

Mark Jensen kicked an 18-yard field goal with 2:42 remaining, three plays after Joshua White's 62-yard run on third-and-1 to the UCLA 5.

"Until we got the final field goal, I thought we could lose the game," Holmoe said.

Boller, who went to Hart High in nearby Newhall, completed 9-of-20 passes for 113 yards with three interceptions. Joe Igber, another freshman, rushed for 113 yards on 20 carries, and Muhammad picked up 77 yards on 16 attempts.

Freshman UCLA quarterback Cory Paus was just 9-of-28 for 81 yards with one interception, and led the Bruins in rushing with 67 yards on 11 carries.

"It was just a horrible effort on my part," Paus said. "They're a great defense, I give them all the credit in the world. But we've got to play much better. I need to play more consistent for this offense to score points."

By late in the first quarter, UCLA was being booed by some in the Rose Bowl crowd of 55,559 for its offensive ineptitude. The Bruins punted five times without getting a first down in the first 15 minutes.

UCLA crossed midfield for the first time early in the second period on a 27-yard run by Paus, but Chidi Iwuoma intercepted a long pass by Paus to thwart that opportunity.

The Bruins reached the Cal 37 late in the second quarter before Andre Carter forced Paus to fumble and Jacob Waasdorp recovered for the Bears.

UCLA had a great opportunity midway through the third quarter when Ryan Roque's interception put them in business at the Cal 37. However, after the Bruins moved to the 26, Drew Bennett's only pass of the game was intercepted by Damian Marzett.

The Bruins lost the ball on downs at Cal's 3 with 58 seconds to play.

"I think their backs and (wide receiver Danny) Farmer are nicked up, they played like they were hurt," Cal defensive coordinator Lyle Setencich said. "We played our normal game plan, we just executed very well. We are so young, you never know who will show up."