Wednesday, November 19, 1997
FOOTBALL NOTESBruins riding high on esteem
UCLA football hasn’t seen confidence levels this high in almost
a decade. The last time a Bruin winning streak reached eight games
was in 1988, when UCLA opened the season with seven consecutive
wins after winning their last game of the 1987 season.
This year’s Bruins extended their winning streak to eight games,
with a 24-point win against then 13th-ranked Washington, and now
the Bruins are riding high, with rival USC up next.
Now, as Bruin head coach Bob Toledo puts it, "Our players feel
like they can win every football game they’re in."
And Toledo believes that confidence goes back to the Bruins’ win
over ‘SC last year.
In that contest, the Bruins found themselves behind by 17 with
11 minutes left to play, and made a now-famous comeback, scoring 14
points in the game’s final three minutes. Toledo says his team now
feels it can come back from any deficit.
"When you get behind by 17 and then you come back and you win
the way we won last year … (the players) remember that. We’ve
been behind in a few games this year, and it’s very easy … to say
‘Oh boy there it goes again. We’re in trouble; it’s over.’
"But we have a winners-type attitude. Winners say, ‘Don’t worry
about (the scoreboard); play 60 minutes.’ (So) that game did a lot
for the program."
Vital stats
UCLA’s win against Washington helped many Bruins climb into the
national rankings in top statistical categories.
With his four touchdowns, Skip Hicks now leads the nation in
scoring, with 24 touchdowns on the year.
And by completing 16 of 23 passes for 320 yards, Cade McNown is
once again the highest-rated passer in the nation when it comes to
passing efficiency.
UCLA’s defense is starting to put up impressive numbers of its
own.
The defense is 14th-best in the nation in rushing defense and
16th-best overall in pass efficiency defense.
No letdown against Trojans
With the Bruins coming off their most emotional game of the
year, Toledo mentioned worrying about a letdown this week.
But he isn’t that worried, considering the Bruins’ opponent is
Southern Cal.
"We are concerned obviously about the emotional thing," Toledo
said.
"I worked very hard last week to get our team to a very
emotional peak for that football game. It’s a concern because when
you get that emotional, now you’ve got to come back and be ready to
play. (But) our guys will be ready to play because of the team that
we’re playing against."
Talkin’ trash
As the Bruins gear up for the USC game Saturday, the trash talk
has already begun … allegedly.
Shaun Williams told reporters Saturday of comments that ‘SC
receiver R.J. Soward allegedly directed at Williams.
"Something about, he doesn’t think I should be listed that good,
I’m not really that good, things along those lines," Williams said
Monday.
"All I have to say is that I haven’t forgot, and we will be
playing on the same field together, so I will be thinking about
that. It’s on my mind. I don’t appreciate it at all. I will be
looking for him."
Meanwhile, Toledo is looking to take preventive measures to make
sure no one from his team provides soundbites for the Trojans.
"I always talk to our players about not giving any
bulletin-board material," Toledo said. "But it’s like anything
else. You’ve got 110 guys, you can’t hold their hand all the
time."
Then Toledo went ahead and provided some bulletin-board material
for his own players.
"Trust me," he said. "I will spank ’em if they misbehave."
Overhauser unsure for ‘SC
On the injury front, the Bruins might be missing senior
offensive tackle Chad Overhauser come Saturday.
Overhauser was the Bruins’ most highly-touted returning
offensive lineman, having won All-Pac-10 honorable mention honors
last year as a junior. He sprained his ankle against Washington,
and though the senior was able to return in the second half, he is
doubtful for Saturday’s game.
Senior Dan Cotti, who is usually in the rotation at guard, will
be the starter at right tackle if Overhauser isn’t able to play.
And senior guard Sean Gully will get more time than usual.
Toledo expressed confidence in Overhauser’s replacements, noting
that both Gully and Cotti saw considerable playing time in last
year’s UCLA-USC contest.
"We’ve got some guys who’ve been to war," Toledo said.
Hicks garners honors
UCLA tailback Skip Hicks and Washington State linebacker Brandon
Moore were named Pac-10 players of the week on Monday.
Southern Cal kicker Adam Abrams won the honor for special teams
players.
Hicks, a senior, rushed 147 yards on 25 carries for three
touchdowns in the Bruins’ 52-28 victory over the Huskies Saturday.
He added three catches for 106 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown
reception.
The performance tied Hicks for the Pac-10 record of 53 career
touchdowns, reached by USC’s Charles White from 1976-79.
Notes compiled by Mark Dittmer, Daily Bruin Staff. Wire services
contributed to this report.