Trick Play Elementary for Scurlock : Pacific 10: Arizona cornerback intercepts halfback option pass and returns it 97 yards for touchdown in 13-6 victory over California.

TUCSON, Ariz. —  No. 18 Arizona defeated old nemesis California, 13-6, Saturday night without an offensive touchdown--but not without controversy.

Mike Scurlock had a 97-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter, but televised replays showed he stepped out of bounds at the Cal 12.

“I don’t know how they could miss it,” Cal Coach Keith Gilbertson said. “Everyone upstairs said he was out of bounds.”

Gilbertson also was upset about the officials’ call that Cal quarterback Pat Barnes was downed at the two-yard line on a scramble three plays before the interception.

Gilbertson said his quarterback actually reached the end zone. “We were in; his leg wasn’t down,” he said. “I’m anxious to see the film and I’m anxious to have the league see the film. . . . With the kind of season we’ve had, we don’t get those breaks. It’s been nine games of frustration.”

Arizona, 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the Pacific 10, remained tied with Oregon and USC for the league lead.

California (3-6, 2-4) had won five of the last six games in the series.

Steve McLaughlin kicked field goals of 54 yards, longest of his career, and 42 yards at the end of Arizona’s first two possessions.

In the first quarter, Barnes’ 50-yard pass to Na’il Benjamin carried Cal to the Arizona 20, and three plays later Barnes scrambled 11 yards to the Wildcats’ two.

On third-and-goal, Barnes pitched to Tyrone Edwards, who looped a halfback pass toward Barnes in the left of the end zone. But Scurlock, a cornerback, picked off the pass at the three and headed down the right sideline, scoring with 20 seconds left in the first quarter.

“I just followed the quarterback and reacted, then I ran down the sideline and prayed to God I wouldn’t get caught,” Scurlock said.