Los Angeles Times: UCLA Can Think About Bowling

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Three more wins could put the Bruins in a bowl game, but Coach Rick Neuheisel doesn't want to look too far ahead.

UCLA's 23-20 victory over Stanford Saturday allows the Bruins to cast a cautious eye toward a bowl game.

The last-second victory left the Bruins with a 2-2 record in Pacific 10 Conference play and needing only three more wins to be bowl eligible.  "We're 2-2 and there are a lot of teams ahead of us," Coach Rick Neuheisel said. "But they are only one game ahead of us."  Neuheisel, though, wasn't ready to wax poetic about the Bruins' chances.  "There is only one team we can think about, that's the one we play next, California," he said. "We can be in the race in November if we can find a way to beat them."  Maryland did. Arizona did. But those were both road games for the Bears. Cal (4-2 overall, 2-1 in conference play) have the Bruins at home this week.

UCLA has lost its last five road games and 12 of its last 15, a stat Neuheisel is well aware of at this point. The Bears are 28-9 at home under Coach Jeff Tedford and have won 11 of their last 13.  "This is a tall order for a team that has struggled on the road," Neuheisel said. "We've got to do it if we're going to stay involved in the Pac-10 race."

Low Cal

UCLA is not alone in searching for offensive consistency. California has been playing musical quarterbacks.

Nate Longshore started against Arizona Saturday night and built a 24-14 halftime lead. But when the Wildcats jumped ahead, Tedford inserted Kevin Riley into the lineup.  The competition will continue this week.

Not at his Best

Bears' running back Javid Best sat out the fourth quarter against Arizona with soreness in his elbow. It was Best's first game back after he sustained a dislocated elbow against Colorado State on Sept. 27.