Stanford Hopes ‘80s Were a Passing Phase : UCLA: Bruins will face a Cardinal backfield that contains more than a quality quarterback.

For years, Stanford was a stereotyped football team. When one talked about pro-style passing attacks, Stanford came to mind long before Brigham Young became prominent.

There were John Brodie and Jim Plunkett and John Elway. The Cardinal’s coaches gave lip service to the running game and to defense, but they didn’t fool anyone. Stanford came to pass. That was its signature.

However, the Cardinal team that plays UCLA today at the Rose Bowl is trying change its identity.

“The days of Quarterback U. and throwing like BYU are over,” Coach Dennis Green said. “You must have a balanced attack to win in the Pac-10. We’re not recruiting a quarterback to throw 40 to 50 times in a game. Our focal point is balance.”

That doesn’t mean Green doesn’t want a proficient quarterback. He simply doesn’t want to turn the team over to him, and would be satisfied if the Cardinal quarterback is among the top three in the conference in passing statistics.

The 1980s were a dreadful decade for Stanford, with only two winning seasons--1980 and ‘86-- and the firings of coaches Paul Wiggin and Jack Elway.

Green had a 3-8 record last season, his first as Stanford coach. Yet he has reason to be optimistic.

Stanford, never previously known for its depth at running back, seems set at the position now with Glyn Milburn, Tommy Vardell, Ellery Roberts and Jon Volpe.

Green said the running backs, along with quarterback Jason Palumbis, should improve as they get what he called “unrusty.”

Milburn and Roberts sat out last season after transferring from Oklahoma and Miami, respectively. Volpe, who gained 1,027 yards in 1988, played in only two games in ’89 before being sidelined because of a knee injury.

Palumbis started seven games in 1988 but didn’t play a down last year. He was bothered by an injured shoulder but didn’t share that information with the coaching staff.

He underwent surgery last November and is apparently fit now, having completed 18 of 29 passes for 155 yards, with one interception, in a 21-17 loss to Colorado Sept. 6. These are not big numbers by traditional Stanford standards, but balance is the key now.

The Cardinal has an offensive line that averages 286 pounds. Tackle Bob Whitfield and guard Brian Cassidy each are listed at 300 pounds.

Whitfield, from Carson High, was recruited by Notre Dame, Michigan, UCLA and Miami. As an 18-year-old freshman last year, he played every down and was an All-Pacific 10 second-team selection.

“Before I graduate, we’re going to play in the Rose Bowl,” Whitfield told Sports Illustrated. Stanford last played in the Rose Bowl in 1972.

The Cardinal was seventh in total defense in the Pac-10 last season. However, it limited Colorado to 253 yards rushing, well below the Buffaloes’ 1989 average of 371.8 yards.

Free safety Seyon Albert had 16 tackles against Colorado; nose tackle Frank Busalacchi had 10, and linebackers Ron George and Dan Byers, a junior college transfer, had nine each.

Colorado got some big-play yardage, but for the most part, the Stanford defense was solid, especially on an almost successful goal-line stand in the closing seconds. Eric Bienemy scored from the one-yard line on fourth down with 12 seconds remaining, and there is still some doubt whether the ball crossed the plane of the goal line.

UCLA is a six-point favorite today, even though it has equaled a school-record winless streak of seven games, last winning against Arizona State Oct. 7, 1989.

Bruin Coach Terry Donahue, who has an 8-6 record against the Cardinal, has said that the quality of his players isn’t comparable to those of the past. He is particularly concerned about the running game that got only 28 net yards while Oklahoma was getting 299 in its 34-14 victory over the Bruins last Saturday.

Tailback Kevin Williams, who was bothered by a sprained ankle, was on the field for only one play against Oklahoma. He will start today.

Jim Bonds will start today, as he did last Saturday. However, he was relieved by redshirt freshman Tommy Maddox in the third quarter.

Bonds, a junior, started for the first time in his career against the Sooners, whose defense might be the best the Bruins will encounter this season.

Donahue said he expects his team to play better today. At least, Stanford is in UCLA’s league, literally and figuratively.

Bruin Notes

As promised, Coach Terry Donahue kept UCLA’s punt return specialists on the field long after practices had ended this week. Fumbled punts by Sean LaChapelle and Reggie Moore enabled Oklahoma to score short-yardage touchdowns. LaChappelle, a split end, and tailback Shawn Wills will handle punts today. . . . Bruin wide receiver Paul Richardson is doubtful with an ankle injury. . . . Siitupe Tuala will replace injured Brian Kelly at defensive tackle. . . . Stanford has a blitzing defense, from either its linebackers, or defensive backs. . . . The Bruins have won their last three Pac-10 openers.