COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : UCLA : Donahue High on Cook

Coach Terry Donahue is confident that quarterback Wayne Cook, who has not thrown a pass in a college game, will play well in the Bruins’ opener against Cal State Fullerton on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl.

“I think he’s ready,” Donahue said. “I think if everybody on the team plays as well as Wayne will play, we’ll be fine. Whether or not our football team is truly ready, we’ll just have to wait and see.

“I think Wayne Cook will improve every week. If your quarterback is making real strides, your team is making strides. I think he will.”

Donahue is confident that the Bruin defense, which ranked eighth in the nation against the run last season, will be as good as last season’s.

“It’s difficult to judge your own team when you’ve only played yourself,” Donahue said. “My sense is our defense is on a par with last year’s defense. Last year, we had a good defense.”