MIKE CHIEN Senior Troy Danoff keeps
Oregon away from Cory Paus in last week’s game.
The Bruins hope to keep up aggression and intensity for tomorrow’s
game at USC.
By Adam Karon
Daily Bruin Staff
The city will turn blue and red on Saturday when the No. 20 UCLA
Bruins head to the Los Angeles Coliseum to take on the USC
Trojans.
The Bruins are looking to right the ship after losing three
straight while the Trojans are hoping to become bowl eligible with
their sixth win of the season.
Earlier in the week it appeared that UCLA would be without star
running back DeShaun Foster. However, there is a chance he will
return in time for the game. The athletic department submitted a
report to the NCAA on Wednesday night. Foster could still be
declared eligible for the USC game
Whether or not he will play is a different story. He did not
practice with the team all week.
According to the coaches, offense should not be a main feature
of the game anyway.
“We’re going to have the chance to see two of the
best defenses in the Pac-10,” UCLA head coach Bob Toledo
said.
In recent years the game has featured offensive explosions. Last
year the teams put up a combined 73 points, but don’t expect
as much output in 2001.
The Bruins have given up just over 17 points a game, while the
Trojans allowed just over 20 points in their last five games.
“The defense needs to stick to our assignments and make
some tackles,” Bruin defensive lineman Rodney Leisle said.
“The offense just has to score some points.”
USC won four of those five, including four straight Pac-10
contests. UCLA has dropped its last three Pac-10 games,
extinguishing any hope of a conference championship.
But a city championship is still within reach.
“It’s not about bowl games or even momentum at the
end of the season,” Trojan head coach Pete Carroll said.
“This game, this matchup, this rivalry is enough in
itself.”
The Bruins have lost two straight to USC, including a
heartbreaking 38-35 loss a year ago at the Rose Bowl. ‘SC
leads the all-time series, which dates back to 1929, by a count of
36-27-7.
Both teams will be searching for options at running back. UCLA
will use Akil Harris and Manuel White Jr. if Foster is unable to
play. The Trojans will use the trio of Sunny Byrd, Chris Howard and
Eric Reese.
Through the air the Trojans feature a combo of quarterback
Carson Palmer and wideout Kareem Kelly. Palmer continues to
struggle in the interception (11) to touchdown (12) ratio this
season.
The Bruin passing attack has struggled as well, throwing 11
interceptions while recording 10 touchdown passes. Quarterback Cory
Paus, who threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns a year ago, knows
he has to be ready come Saturday.
“It’s going to be a great game,” he said.
“I’m just looking forward to playing these
guys.”
A city divided will tune in to watch this weekend when one of
the nation’s greatest rivalries kicks off.