By Jeff Kmiotek Daily Bruin Staff The Bruins will be a better
football team in 2000 because, well, they have to be. Last season,
football seemed almost secondary to scandals, suspensions, injuries
and inexperience. Head coach Bob Toledo dealt with one disaster
after another as his team piled on one loss after another. But
while UCLA’s previous summer was filled with press releases,
this summer has been busy with bench presses. Last year was about
“wait “˜til next year,” while this year has just
been about weight. As UCLA’s strength of schedule has greatly
increased this season, so has the strength of its players.
“We’ve got a good feeling about ourselves,”
Toledo said. “Our attitude is really good.” Yet even
with the Bruins’ newfound power, experience and positive
outlook, the season may hinge on the success of the quarterback.
And that is where we begin our 2000 season preview.
OFFENSE Quarterback Sophomore Cory Paus,
who started seven games last year, got the starting nod after
out-dueling fellow sophomore Ryan McCann in practice. Paus
struggled in his freshman campaign, but has the confidence and
play-making ability to succeed. Also, his experience alone will
make him a better quarterback. The key for Paus is to play
mistake-free football, as UCLA’s talented skill positions
will take care of the spectacular plays. Junior Scott McEwan is the
third-string quarrterback. Tailback UCLA is loaded at
tailback for the present and the future. DeShaun Foster is the
present, with the moves of a pinball and the strength of a wrecking
ball. His career has been dampened with injuries, but Foster feels
good to go this season. His presence alone takes pressure off the
quarterback, and his ability as a receiver makes him a double
threat. Freshmen phenom Akil Harris and true freshman Manuel White
will both see playing time this season behind back-up senior
Jermaine Lewis, who provides a good change of pace in place of
Foster. Wide Receivers Despite losing Danny Farmer, the
Bruins possess one of the nation’s top receiving corps, led
by Biletnikoff Award candidates Freddie Mitchell and Brian
Poli-Dixon. Mitchell has gamebreaking ability and is in top form
after a somewhat down year in 1999. Poli-Dixon, after missing the
bulk of last season, looks ready to turn all his potential into
results. After Mitchell and Poli-Dixon, there is a dropoff at
receiver, mainly due to inexperience. Jon Dubravac, Jerry Owens and
Drew Bennett will see a good amount of playing time, while true
freshman Tab Perry has the opportunity to make a name for himself
right away. The tight end spot is deep and filled with so much
talent, any of the three candidates would be excellent choices to
start. Gabe Crecion and Bryan Fletcher bring experience, great
hands and strong blocking skills, while Mike Seidman’s raw
talent made him the top high school tight end in the nation.
Offensive Line The offensive line was one of UCLA’s
biggest problems last season, but there is hope. All five starters
have returned, stronger and more confident than ever. The line has
a fair amount of experience, as guards Brian Polak and Oscar
Cabrera will start for the third year. Polak, who has moved from
tackle to guard, is one of the top linemen in the nation, and
Cabrera, who is recovering from a sprained ankle, is a big force.
Troy Danoff will play center and Mike Saffer and Bryce Bolander
will take care of the tackle slots. The offensive line worked
especially hard over the offseason to bulk up, with the starters
alone gaining almost 100 pounds between them.
DEFENSE Defensive Line The defensive
line is anchored by All-American candidate Kenyon Coleman, one of
the most physically talented big men in the country. Coleman has
been working on his leverage over the offseason, which is the key
to having a monster season. Junior tackle Ken Kocher is an emerging
defensive star, but a sprained ankle may keep him out of
UCLA’s first game. If Kocher misses a game, back-up Steve
Morgan may step into his place. UCLA’s solid front four is
complete with Rusty Williams at end and either Rodney Leisle or
Anthony Fletcher at tackle. Sean Phillips and Stephen Sua provide
quality depth. Linebackers Junior Robert Thomas leads
UCLA’s excellent linebacker crew, in which all three of last
year’s starters return. He is instinctive and physical, and
has worked to improve his pass rushing over the offseason. Senior
Tony White provides leadership at outside linebacker and the highly
regarded Ryan Nece will start his third season at outside
linebacker. Marcus Reese will see plenty of playing time as he
battles Nece for the starting position. The Bruins do have some
depth problems at linebacker, as Santi Hall recently left the team.
Asi Faoa will miss opening day due to a suspension, but will be a
force later on. Secondary The secondary has taken most of
the heat for the UCLA’s recent defensive struggles, but there
is some optimism this year. Marques Anderson returns after missing
a year due to a suspension, moving from corner to safety. Anderson
is the most all-around athletic player in the secondary, but may
need time to adjust to the complex nature of playing safety. Corner
Jason Bell also comes back after sitting out almost the entire
season. The other starting corner, Ricky Manning, is an exciting
talent who may soon develop into a top-flight defender. The main
question mark is at free safety, where fifth-year senior Jason
Zdenek will start. Zdenek lacks game experience, but worked hard
over the offseason to improve. SPECIAL TEAMS Kicker Chris
Griffith, a former walk-on, was one of the few bright spots of last
year’s team. He made 13 of 18 field goals, and if he improves
his kicking trajectory, his numbers should increase. Punter Nate
Fikse also had a solid year as a true freshman, finishing second in
the conference in punt distance. True freshman Chris Kluwe might
pose a challenge to Fikse for the punting duties. Kluwe is talented
and with more consistancy, he will be a star kicker. Tab Perry will
handle kickoff returns with Jermaine Lewis behind him. Ricky
Manning will take care of punt returns.