UCLA seeks revenge for loss to Arizona
By Daily Bruin Staff
Sept. 25, 1997 9:00 p.m.
Friday, September 26, 1997
UCLA seeks revenge for loss to Arizona
FOOTBALL: Last year’s bitter defeat has Bruins looking for
redemption
By Tim Yun
Daily Bruin Contributor
Exactly two weeks after a 63-point shellacking of the University
of Texas, it’s back to business for the 24th-ranked Bruins as the
remnants of the University of Arizona’s Desert Swarm defense
invades the Rose Bowl.
With both schools entering Saturday’s contest with 1-2 records,
on paper it would appear that this weekend’s game looks like a
meaningless meeting between a couple of mediocre teams, but nothing
could be farther from the truth.
Neither squads’ overall record is at all indicative of its
progression in the season thus far.
The Bruins are only a couple of plays away from a 3-0 record and
a possible top 10 ranking.
The Wildcats are victims of close losses to the University of
Oregon and Ohio State University.
"I think that both teams could have hypothetically entered this
game with a 3-0 records," UCLA head coach Bob Toledo said.
However, the fact remains that both teams have one conference
loss and cannot afford to give up any more ground in the league
standings.
"(Saturday’s game is) very definitely a huge game for both
teams, with both teams having a road loss and neither team can
afford another setback," Arizona head coach Dick Tomey said.
The Bruins are well aware of the implications that this game may
have on any post-season hopes.
The bitter 35-17 defeat at the paws of the Wildcats last season
that knocked the Bruins out of contention for a bowl bid still
remains fresh in the minds of the Bruins.
With tough conference games against Washington and Stanford in
the coming weeks, UCLA would like to emerge with a victory on
Saturday.
"I think that the fact that the loss last year cost us a bowl
game will motivate us to play harder," UCLA quarterback Cade McNown
said.
A possible key to the outcome of the game is UCLA’s defense.
After a sub-par outing against Washington State, the defense has
slowly gained momentum and has been playing with unparalleled
intensity.
Since the second half of the University of Tennessee game,
coordinator Rocky Long’s chaotic, attacking style defense has kept
opposing teams off balance and out of sync.
In the last six quarters of play, the Bruins have only allowed
nine points.
"If the defense plays like it did against the University of
Texas, there is no reason why we won’t be able to have that kind of
game again," McNown said.
After facing three prototypical drop-back passing quarterbacks,
the Bruins will receive a new challenge in trying to contain the
Arizona play-caller, Keith Smith.
In the mold of former Colorado quarterback Kordell Stewart,
Smith is capable of creating plays on offense.
"Keith Smith is a threat every time he touches the ball, not
only with the pass, but he is a great rusher as well," Toledo said.
"He is a tremendous athlete."
When the defense is not on the field, the explosive Bruin
offense will be dictated by the play of their offensive line.
"UCLA’s offensive front is the best that we have played against
this year," Tomey said.
Not only will they have to pave the way for tailback Skip Hicks
and protect quarterback McNown, but they will certainly have their
hands full as they try to contain Wildcat defensive tackle Joe
Salave’a.
"We are going to have a challenge trying to keep Salave’a in
check," Toledo said. "On the field he creates havoc wherever he is
and is definitely a force to be reckoned with."
Although the Bruins have not taken the field since their blowout
of Texas, Toledo has made certain that the team maintains its
intensity level, putting the Bruins through tough practices and
simulated game situations.
"During the week off we worked hard on the fundamentals and the
techniques that you need to play good football," Toledo said. "We
worked on our timing and the rhythm for our offense so that we can
come out on Saturday and be sharp."
"Even though we had a bye week, I think we’ll still be focused
and fired up to play Arizona," said McNown.
PATRICK LAM/Daily Bruin
Tailback Skip Hicks breaks away as Tennessee tries to catch
him.
