Limping Bruins to Face Tough Stanford Defense

Bill Walsh was expected to rejuvenate Stanford’s offense when he returned to coach the Cardinal last January. Instead, Walsh, whose offensive innovations led the San Francisco 49ers to three Super Bowl victories, has revitalized Stanford’s defense.

Stanford, with the nation’s fifth-ranked defense, has given up 232 yards per game. Led by safety John Lynch and linebackers Ron George and Dave Garnett, the Cardinal shut out Notre Dame, which had the nation’s No. 1 offense, in the second half of last week’s 33-16 victory at South Bend, Ind.

Off to its best start since 1986, No. 11 Stanford, 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the Pacific 10 Conference, plays No. 19 UCLA, 3-1 and 0-1, tonight at 7:30 at the Rose Bowl.

This is Stanford’s best defense since the early ‘70s, when the “Thunder Chicken” defense, led by linebacker Jeff Siemon, was instrumental in consecutive Rose Bowl victories over Ohio State and Michigan.

“I think this is the best defense Stanford has had in memory,” Walsh said. “This defense is just intense and hits. They’re relentless. I can’t say we’ll stop UCLA dead in their tracks, but we are very competitive on defense.”

The injury-plagued Bruins, who have lost quarterback Wayne Cook and linebacker Arnold Ale with season-ending injuries, may be without wide receiver Sean LaChapelle, who cracked a rib in last week’s 23-3 defeat at Arizona. LaChapelle will decide whether to play after warming up. If he can’t play, he will be replaced by redshirt sophomore J.J. Stokes.

Tailback Kevin Williams, the conference’s leading rusher last season, is doubtful because of a hamstring injury. Redshirt sophomore Daron Washington, who has scored five of UCLA’s eight rushing touchdowns, will start in place of Williams.

After averaging 29.3 points in victories over Cal State Fullerton, Brigham Young and San Diego State, the Bruins were shut out for the first 58 minutes and 39 seconds of their Pac-10 opener at Arizona.

“If we play this Saturday like we played last Saturday, we’re going to get killed,” LaChapelle said. “The offensive team can’t be three (downs) and out, like we were in the first quarter against Arizona, and expect the defense to be successful.”

Arizona used an eight-man front to stop the Bruins’ rushing attack, which had averaged 231 yards in its first three games. The Wildcats held UCLA to 36 yards on the ground. The alignment was designed to take advantage of quarterback Rob Walker’s inexperience by forcing him to throw deep.

Walker, who had thrown one interception and been sacked only once in 2 1/2 games since replacing Cook, threw three interceptions and was sacked three times at Arizona.

Coach Terry Donahue said that Walker, who completed 16 of 33 passes for 141 yards against Arizona, wasn’t at fault.

“There was just too much pressure on him,” Donahue said. “I’m not sure Joe Montana could have responded to that kind of pressure. But the responsibility for keeping that kind of pressure off him goes to the coaches and the players.

“If there was going to be an execution today, then the head coach, the assistant coaches, the offensive line, wide receivers and tight ends ought to go right with (Walker). We’d all select the blindfolds together.

“What happens when you prove to be ineffective offensively or lose some games is everybody starts calling for the quarterback and/or the coach. I think Rob Walker can be a real good player, but he’s going to go through a real baptism.”

Bruin Notes

Brian Tighe, a 6-foot-2, 226-pound sophomore, will start in place of UCLA linebacker Arnold Ale, sidelined for the season because of a broken right leg. . . . Bruin defensive tackle Mike Chalenski, who tore a tendon in his left thumb, will play tonight and have surgery Sunday. He’s expected to miss next week’s game at Washington State. . . . Bruin linebacker Shane Jasper will be sidelined for four weeks because of a knee injury. . . . Stanford has won 11 of its last 13 games.