Football Notebook

Aloha

UCLA became bowl-eligible Saturday with their sixth win of the
season. If the season ended today, UCLA would be in fourth place
and possibly sent to Hawaii for either the Aloha or Oahu Bowl.

Oregon is undefeated in conference play, and Washington and
Oregon State have one loss apiece, virtually assuring UCLA of
either a fourth or fifth place conference finish ““ both good
enough for Hawaii. One quirk that could change things is if both
Oregon and Washington win their remaining two games, and Washington
filled one of the two at-large Bowl Championship Series bids. That
could move UCLA into the Pac-10 third place bowl, the Sun Bowl in
El Paso.

Hawaii Bowl officials have said they would like to host UCLA,
but the Sun Bowl gets first crack at picking the third Pac-10 team
if two go to BCS games. Notre Dame and the loser of a possible
Nebraska-Oklahoma Big 12 championship game are also in the running
for the two at-large spots.

“We’re bowl-eligible, whatever that means,”
said quarterback Cory Paus.

“The only guarantee (to get a bowl bid) is if we win both
our remaining games.

By beating Washington, however, UCLA would be a virtual lock for
a Hawaii game because the Huskies would be effectively removed from
BCS consideration.

“I always tell my guys you’ve got to win in November
to play in December,” said Coach Bob Toledo

Running the offense

Paus will almost never make his mark running the ball. In fact,
there is only one play in the book which calls for him to run. Even
on that play, however, he ended up passing. With the clock running
down against Stanford, Paus rolled to his left and instead of
running the ball threw a 56-yard pass to Freddie Mitchell.
“He saw big No. 13 coming at him, and just decided to throw
the ball instead. I think he might have run out the clock if he
continued to run,” joked Toledo, referring to Paus’
speed.

Lining the injured list

The defensive line is still wrought with injuries. End Rusty
Williams, who has started every game this season, dislocated his
shoulder Saturday and is “highly questionable,”
according to Toledo. Williams has been playing hurt all season but
has not missed a game.

“I’m not sure he can play,” said Toledo.
“Rusty would kill me if I don’t let him play, and I
don’t want to die yet.”

Mat and Dave Ball are listed as the starters at defensive end on
the tentative depth chart.

It is looking less and less likely that pre-season All-American
end Kenyon Coleman will return this season after injuring his knee.
He hasn’t practiced since the injury in the third game of the
season and is far from game shape. End Sean Phillips is
questionable for the game this week. If Phillips takes off the
protective boot this week, he may be able to practice enough to
play.

Tackle Anthony Fletcher is out for this week with an injured
ankle, back and neck. Tackle Ken Kocher is questionable with a
sprained ankle. Tackle Rodney Leisle is the only healthy starter
from the beginning of the season.

Former walk-on Kory Lombard will start at the other tackle
against Washington, and converted tight end Saia Makakaufaki will
back him up.

Two are better than one

In the almost two full years of Cory Paus playing quarterback,
he and running back DeShaun Foster have never played a full half
together while healthy. Two games ago against Arizona they played
their first full half together, but Foster had a cast on his broken
hand. Paus separated his shoulder the first game of the season, and
Foster broke his hand in the first half against Arizona State,
Paus’ first game back from the shoulder injury. UCLA is 2-0
when both Foster and Paus play an entire game together.

Put them back in

For those wondering how the Baha Men’s “Who Let the
Dogs Out” made it into the UCLA band’s repertoire
Saturday, blame the football team. Various players requested the
song the week leading up to the game versus Stanford. Director
Gordon Henderson instructed the band to point at a player and woof
whenever they played the song.

Notes compiled by Greg Lewis, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.