Friday, October 2, 1998
Bruins face off against Cougars in heated Pac-10 season
opener
PREVIEW: Rested players hope to avenge prior loss with attack
against Washington State team
By Jeff Kmiotek
Daily Bruin Staff
It will be a time for redemption. A time for revenge. But most
of all, it will be a time to finally play some football.
After playing only two games in the opening month of the season,
the Bruins will be feasting on the Washington State Cougars
tomorrow at the Rose Bowl.
The fourth-ranked Bruins are well-rested and anxious to get back
on the field after Hurricane Georges caused the cancellation of
last week’s Miami game.
"Last week was actually a great opportunity for us to get
better," said head coach Bob Toledo. "It was better than a bye. We
were looking forward to a game."
Tomorrow’s contest will begin the Pac-10 season for the Bruins.
The last time the Cougars played in Pasadena, they represented the
Pac-10 in the Rose Bowl. Now they’re a completely different
football team, as their Ryan Leaf has fallen from the tree. The
Cougars are 3-1, but those wins have come against the likes of
Boise State, Idaho and Illinois. Last week Washington State was
defeated by California, 24-14, but their defense did not allow a
touchdown. The Golden Bears scored on two interception returns and
a fumble recovery.
"Defensively, they have a lot of speed with a lot of
athleticism," said Toledo.
Cade McNown will have his hands full with free safety Lamont
Thompson, who is second in the nation with four interceptions.
"He’s a heck of a defensive back. You can’t pick on him too many
times," said Toledo.
The Cougars rank fourth in the nation in pass efficiency defense
(79.4 rating). If the defense doesn’t make some big plays against
UCLA, the Cougars will have no chance to keep the game close.
Offensively, the Cougars will be guided by quarterback Steve
Birnbaum, who has tossed five touchdowns and five interceptions
this year. Nian Taylor, their most explosive receiver, is
questionable for the UCLA game with a strained calf muscle. If he
can’t go, redshirt freshman Adam Davis will fill his shoes as the
starting flanker.
UCLA’s spotty defense shouldn’t have a very difficult time with
the depleted offensive attack of Washington State. In addition, the
off week gave many banged up players time to heal. Pete Holland and
Ken Kocher both had sprained ankles, but with the added rest they
will be ready for the game.
Oscar Cabrera also sprained an ankle and is questionable for
tomorrow’s game. If Cabrera doesn’t play, junior transfer James
Ghezzi will get the nod. Kenyon Coleman, their top defensive
lineman, is still out and will not play due to a sprained knee.
However, UCLA’s off week also came with some negatives.
"When you don’t play games, you get a little rusty. You lose all
that rhythm you’ve built up," said Toledo.
"I still don’t have a really good grasp of our football team. We
need to execute better, we need to be more consistent. That’s
something we’ve worked on. I do think we’ve gotten better in the
last week just from watching them practice."
The Bruins are large favorites, and they’ll be playing with
something to prove. While vying for their 13th straight victory,
they will be trying to redeem their 37-34 loss of a year ago.
How much will the revenge factor contribute to the game? Not
very much in Toledo’s opinion.
"People talk about all those things, but for those of us who
play the game, after the first couple of minutes you forget about
the revenge and just play football, so that only lasts so
long."
The Bruins will have plenty of incentive throughout the game.
They are eager and ready to erase the memory of last year’s
game.
Toledo may have said it best: "May the best team win – us."
DERRICK KUDO/Daily Bruin
Free safety Eric Whitfield keeps an eye out for the ball in a
lineup at a recent game against the University of Texas.
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© 1998 ASUCLA Communications Board