Things Will Need to Change

In last year’s 29-24 loss to USC, UCLA struggled to run the ball, netting only 17 yards in 25 carries. This season, the Trojans have the second-best defense against the run in the Pacific 10 Conference, giving up 116.3 yards a game.

A year ago, the Trojans did a good job of putting pressure on UCLA quarterback Drew Olson and he responded with two costly interceptions. This season, USC is tied with Oregon for first in the Pac-10 with 22 interceptions.

UCLA offensive coordinator Tom Cable said the reason for USC’s success in forcing turnovers has been the play of ends Lawrence Jackson and Frostee Rucker.

“They have two special defensive ends and they disrupt a lot,” Cable said. “They really get after the quarterback.

“We’re going to have to do a good job on those guys by giving them a lot of different looks; chip them, bang them and all the things you do against good players.”

In losing six in a row to USC, the Bruins’ ground game has been all but nonexistent, averaging less than 1.5 yards a rush. In order for UCLA to have more success today, Cable said the Bruins need a diverse attack.

“The biggest thing is that you have to make them defend a lot of things,” Cable said. “You have to get them out of their comfort zone.”

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UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell said senior inside linebacker Justin London, who sat out the last two games because of an ankle injury, will get a lot of playing time, but it will be a game-time decision whether he starts.

Center Mike McCloskey (shoulder) and linebackers Aaron Whittington (quadriceps) and Fred Holmes (groin) will not play because of injuries.

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Against USC in 1986, Dorrell caught a Hail Mary pass from Matt Stevens on the last play of the first half to give the Bruins a 31-0 lead en route to a 45-25 victory at the Rose Bowl. In his career, Dorrell caught 11 passes for 161 yards and one touchdown against USC and also completed one pass for 33 yards.... UCLA’s last victory over USC at the Coliseum was 1997, 31-24.