By Brent Boyd
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Three weeks ago against Tennessee, the UCLA football team
approached its goal. Tomorrow, it will have a chance to achieve
that goal.
When they take the field at Michigan Stadium to battle the No. 6
Wolverines (3-0), the Bruins (1-1) will not only be battling for a
win, but for some respect.
"We’re kind of excited about playing this game," head coach Bob
Toledo said. "Going back there on a nationally televised game, we
have a chance to prove once again that our program is solid and
strong and that we can play with the best."
They came within a pump fake and a couple fumbles of proving
that against Tennessee, but their upset bid fell short, 35-20.
A win against Michigan would immediately throw the Bruins into
the midst of the national limelight.
Actually, after the near-miss in Knoxville, the Bruins are in a
much better position to pull off an upset.
"We did a lot of growing up against Tennessee," said starting
quarterback Cade McNown. "We were thrown into one of the most
hostile environments in the country, probably more hostile than
Michigan. We would have liked to come away with a victory, but we
showed we could play with a good program."
Coach Toledo agrees.
"The first game I said we were a young and inexperienced team,"
he said. "We’re still young, but not totally inexperienced. We’ve
been in a big stadium now. There’s nothing like experience. They
won’t be in awe of the stadium now; they’ve been in a hostile
environment and I think they’ll actually appreciate the big crowd
and they’ll play hard."
Not only do the Bruins have confidence on their side, but they
also have had a week longer than Michigan to prepare for the
game.
Last weekend, the Wolverines slipped their way to a 20-14 win
over Boston College in a driving rainstorm, while the Bruins sat at
home and scouted.
"This past week has given us a chance to get back to
fundamentals – blocking and tackling and working hard," Toledo
said. "That little rest helped us recover a little bit."
Meanwhile, the Wolverines had to worry more about themselves
than about UCLA.
Last weekend’s victory was marred by seven Wolverine
fumbles.
"When you turn the ball over as much as we did you’re going to
have trouble beating anybody," Wolverine head coach Lloyd Carr
said. "We need to improve the team in that regard if we have any
hopes of beating UCLA.
"The problem is we are already a week behind in terms of the
same preparation UCLA has had."
Making matters even more difficult for Michigan is the fact that
the Bruins’ defensive scheme is extremely hard to prepare for.
With the Bruins rushing as many as seven defenders at the
quarterback in their attack-style defense, the offense doesn’t know
what to expect, or at least the Bruin coaching staff hopes.
"It’ll present a lot of problems because it’s so unique," Toledo
said. "They only have three or four days to prepare for it. I hope
it will create a lot of problems."
Despite a scheduling advantage, the Bruins would have to
overcome a very talented Michigan squad.
The Wolverine defense remains one of the country’s best. They
return nine starters from a defense that ranked first in the Big
Ten and 11th in the nation a year ago.
"I think it has a chance to be the best defense since I’ve been
here," said Carr, in his 17th year at Michigan. "We’re off to a
good start, but we’ve got a long way to go."
That’s not a good sign for UCLA, as Michigan has only given up
an average of 11.7 points per game. Leading the attack is senior
inside linebacker Jarrett Irons. He led the team last year with 124
tackles and already has 22 through three games this season.
Skip Hicks, Durrell Price and others probably won’t find too
much room to run, as the Wolverines give up only 2.6 yards per
rushing attempt.
As a result, the Bruins will need to be successful through the
air.
Although he has not thrown for great yardage this season, McNown
has kept defenses off balance, completing nearly two-thirds of his
passes.
His style strikes fear in Carr.
"Offensively in my book, McNown is going to be a great QB," he
said.
If the Bruins can somehow find a way to get into the end zone
two or three times, they stand a decent chance of winning the
game.
The Michigan offense has yet to get on track this season,
ranking ninth in the Big Ten.
In addition, led by middle linebacker Brian Willmer’s 11
tackles, the Bruins possess the nation’s eighth-best rushing
defense, allowing only 57 yards per game on the ground.
"I am extremely impressed with their speed, their athletic
ability on both sides of the ball, and their big play potential,"
Carr said. "I think they’re playing with outstanding intensity and
enthusiasm."
Carr shouldn’t expect the Bruins’ intensity and enthusiasm to
drop any for this game – the Bruins have had this game circled for
a long time, at least by Toledo.
"Our goals are to win a conference and a Rose Bowl and
eventually compete for a national championship," he said before the
season. "To compete for national championships, you have to beat
the Tennessees and Michigans."
Most would consider a split with the two quite successful. But,
by no means will it be easy to get.
"This is going to be a challenge for us," Toledo said. "They’re
physical and they’re tough. They don’t try to fool you too much,
they’re going to try and get you."
* * *
Paul Guidry, starting cornerback and punt returner, is doubtful
for the game. Senior Andy Colbert will replace Guidry in the
lineup.