Oregonian: Pac-10 games California, UCLA go head to head with something to prove

Saturday, October 08, 2005

KEN GOE

California and UCLA are nationally ranked, but neither looked the part last week.  The 10th-ranked Golden Bears (5-0, 2-0 Pacific-10 Conference) and struggling quarterback Joe Ayoob wobbled past Arizona 28-0. No. 20 UCLA (4-0, 1-0) scored late to rally for a 21-17 victory over Washington.  Both will be looking for a victory and some credibility when they meet at the Rose Bowl at 4:30 p.m. today.  Cal's unbeaten record has come against soft opponents. That probably helped Ayoob, a transfer from San Francisco City College, survive the transition to Division I-A.  "I think he's gradually become pretty efficient throwing the football," Cal coach Jeff Tedford said.  Maybe, but the Bears are winning because of their defense and their running game.  The Cal defense hasn't allowed a touchdown in the past 10 quarters. Tailback Marshawn Lynch returned last week after missing two games because of a broken pinkie on his left hand and rushed for 107 yards.  Even when Lynch was on the sideline, Cal ran well with backup tailback Justin Forsett.  Tedford said Lynch was rusty against Arizona. But he should be closer to full speed this week, and he will operate against a UCLA defense that allowed Washington to gain 213 yards on the ground last week.  The Bruins gained national attention Sept. 17 for a 41-24 nonconference victory over Oklahoma, shutting down touted Sooners tailback Adrian Peterson in the process. But the UW game was a big step in the wrong direction.

"We didn't play well last week," UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said. "We didn't execute across the board in a lot of ways. We did not have one of our better games, but we were able to pull it out.  "I think this week, with all the ramifications this game has in the conference, and with Cal being undefeated, I believe our focus will be better."  It will need to be. There is quiet concern about UCLA's running game, a strength last season. Tailback Maurice Drew managed just 33 yards against the Huskies. "We're not executing," Dorrell said. "It comes down to us doing what we're supposed to do, not missing blocks and getting a hat on a hat."  In other Pac-10 games today:

Arizona (1-3, 0-1) at No. 1 USC (4-0, 2-0): The Trojans are 37-point favorites, but it could be closer than that. The Wildcats have a stubbornly effective defense and are catching USC between last week's come-from-behind victory at Arizona State and next week's game at Notre Dame.

Stanford (1-2, 0-1) at Washington State (3-1, 0-1): Stanford coach Walt Harris met with his seniors in an attempt to rally from back-to-back defeats to UC Davis and Oregon. The Cougars have their own issues, starting with a second-half collapse that ended in a 44-33 loss last week to Oregon State. WSU middle linebacker Will Derting (knee) will be replaced by freshman Greg Trent.