A Changing of the Guard, Not Defense, at ASU : Sun Devils May Have a New Coach, but They Still Hit as in the Days of Old

As Tommy Taylor headed for the practice field to put the final touches on preparation for today’s football game against Arizona State, he had a smile on his face and a song in his heart.

The smile was evident. The song? Well, he claimed it was a song in his heart, even though the noise he issued sounded more like a war whoop.

“That was my opera voice,” the big linebacker said. “That should tell you that I’m feeling good.”

Taylor is determined that the UCLA defense will make a good showing today against Arizona State for a lot of reasons.

“All you hear about is how this is a game of UCLA’s offense against Arizona State’s defense,” Taylor said. “Arizona State’s defense is No. 1 in the nation against scoring. I think our defense should take that as a challenge. It’s up to us to show that UCLA has a good defense, too.

“I think it may be a defensive game.”

And then there’s the matter of the Pacific 10 standings. Arizona State is among the early winners at the top of the standings with a 1-0 mark. UCLA is among the early losers at 0-1 after losing at Washington last week.

“This would be a good time for us to redeem ourselves for that loss last week,” Taylor said. “We could redeem ourselves by beating a team that is coming off a big conference victory (24-0 over USC last week).

“As far as the conference standings are concerned, circumstances are much the same as they were last season. We went into the game against Arizona State last season with a conference loss, knowing that another loss would take us out of the Rose Bowl race.”

UCLA then beat Arizona State, 21-13, and Taylor wouldn’t mind reliving some of that game.

On Arizona State’s first offensive play, Taylor sacked Sun Devil quarterback Jeff Van Raaphorst for a safety that gave UCLA a 2-0 lead. On the Sun Devils’ last offensive play of the game, Taylor sacked Van Raaphorst on fourth-and-goal from the Bruin two to thwart what ASU hoped would be the touchdown that would put them in position to tie the game.

Taylor tried to pretend that he wasn’t aware that it was the same team coming up this week. He didn’t pull it off. “I do feel a personal challenge, too, because of that game last year,” he said. “I’m sure they’re planning to keep me from having that kind of a game again. I would love to see a repeat of last year’s game.”

Arizona State has a new coach this season. John Cooper has replaced Darryl Rogers. But the Sun Devils are still respected as a defensive team.

ASU uses 23 defensive players regularly, not as late-game replacements. They shuttle players in and out constantly.

Taylor is correct on the Sun Devils’ No. 1 ranking against scoring, too. After losing to Michigan State, 12-3, ASU shut out Pacific, 27-0, then shut out USC. ASU has not given up a touchdown in 11 quarters.

On the other hand, UCLA is averaging 25.3 points a game. Yardage comparison? ASU has given up an average of 234 yards a game, and UCLA is averaging 379.2 a game.

The defensive star for Arizona State is David Fulcher, a junior free safety. He and inside linebacker Greg Battle are tied for the team lead with 28 tackles each. Fulcher also has recovered two fumbles and is leading the team in tackles for losses.

UCLA Coach Terry Donahue mentioned Fulcher by name--”No one in the league has a safety that matches Fulcher”--but was also pretty busy praising the ASU defense as a whole. “Their win over USC was very, very impressive,” Donahue said. “I was impressed with the style in which they did it--without their tailback, Darryl Clack, and with an unbelievably aggressive and effective defense.

“Those turnovers don’t just happen. Generally, they’re forced.”

Bruin Notes For the second straight week, UCLA’s game will be televised by CBS and will be shown on Channel 2 in Los Angeles. The game against Arizona State at the Rose Bowl will begin at 11:40 a.m. It will be broadcast on KIIS (1150). . . . UCLA is 2-1-1 overall, 0-1 in the Pac-10. Arizona State is 2-1 overall, 1-0 in the Pac-10.

UCLA running back Gaston Green is still out with a strained knee ligament. He is not expected to play. Darryl Clack, Arizona State’s All-Conference tailback who has been hampered by an ankle injury, is not expected to start but did practice Thursday and is expected to play. . . . UCLA offensive tackle Russ Warnick injured his knee in practice Wednesday and is considered doubtful. . . . UCLA backup quarterback Matt Stevens practiced Wednesday and Thursday, but Coach Terry Donahue said that he would wait until game time before deciding if Stevens is able to play.

UCLA quarterback David Norrie ranks fourth in the Pac-10 and 26th in the nation in passing efficiency. Norrie has completed 41 of 64 passes for 467 yards and 4 touchdowns, with 4 interceptions. . . . ASU quarterback Jeff Van Raaphorst ranks fifth in the conference and 38th in the nation. He has completed 48 of 93 for 671 yards and 4 touchdowns, with 3 interceptions.

Since making the Rose Bowl its home field in 1982, UCLA has a record of 14-4-2 there, including two Rose Bowl games.