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Another stern test for defense

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Times Staff Writer

UCLA is facing another hot quarterback this week.

Arizona State’s Rudy Carpenter comes to the Rose Bowl on Saturday ranked ninth in the nation in passing efficiency. He is averaging 258.7 yards passing and has a 64.8% completion percentage.

That can stir memories of Washington State’s Alex Brink and Arizona’s Willie Tuitama, who led their teams to victories over the Bruins the last two weeks.

Other threats might also need to be considered.

Washington State rushed for 274 yards and Arizona 124. Both teams came into those games averaging less than 100 yards a game rushing.

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Arizona State arrives averaging 166 yards a game rushing, with two solid backs -- Keegan Herring, who has gained 659 yards, and Ryan Torain, who has 553.

While Carpenter demands the attention, the Bruins can’t get caught backpedaling, as happened the last two weeks.

“We’re going to have to make teams one dimensional,” UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker said. “We’re going to have to do a better job of putting guys in position. There will be times where we’re going to line up and say, ‘We’re going to take this away from you.’ ”

As opposed to, what appeared to be the last two weeks as, “Here, let us get out of your way.”

Washington State’s Dwight Tardy had 214 yards rushing, including a 51-yard touchdown run. Arizona’s Nicolas Grigsby gained 124 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown run.

“We got to get back to our old self,” Bruins’ defensive end Bruce Davis said. “We’ve been kind of uptight around here. We have to do what we’ve always done, go on our instincts and just play ball.”

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Oregon’s Jonathan Stewart was the only back to run for more than 100 yards against UCLA in 2006. The Bruins, who have lost four defensive linemen to injuries, have allowed four backs to go over 100 yards this season -- losing three of those games.

“We have to be more focused,” defensive tackle Kevin Brown said. “It only takes one play, like last week. We didn’t expect that Arizona runner to break outside.”

The Sun Devils are expected to make the focus easier, according to Walker.

“They don’t make it a secret when they want to run and when they don’t want to run,” Walker said. “I think they are very confident in their run game and don’t care. ‘We’re going to get in this set and we’re going to run the ball. Stop it.’ ”

Senior defensive tackle Brigham Harwell had his efforts to get back from a knee injury derailed, suffering a sprained shoulder in Wednesday’s practice. His return this season is now more unlikely.

Harwell, who was injured in the second game, could redshirt.

“I don’t know, we haven’t decided yet,” Coach Karl Dorrell said when asked if Harwell was done for the season. “That has nothing to do with this game this week.”

Tailback Christian Ramirez, who suffered a concussion against Arizona, will be available for this week’s game. . . . Defensive end Kenneth Lombard will not play after suffering a concussion in practice Wednesday. . . . Kick returner Matthew Slater sat out practice because of food poisoning but is expected to play.

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chris.foster@latimes.com

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