KEEPING TABS / DANA HADDAD : Woodfin’s Outlook Has Become Rosier

London Woodfin, who grew up dreaming of playing in the Rose Bowl as a member of UCLA’s football team, has faced enough obstacles this season to test anyone’s faith.

The former Sylmar High player had won the starting job on the left side of UCLA’s three-man defensive front in the fall. But in the third game, Woodfin suffered a sprained left knee in a pile-up with teammates Jamir Miller and Matt Werner while trying to sack Stanford quarterback Steve Stenstrom.

The Bruins were in the process of winning their first game after losses to California (27-25) and Nebraska (14-13), but Woodfin wasn’t there to enjoy it. He was quickly ushered to an X-ray room.

Woodfin thought he’d be back in action to enjoy at least parts of a seven-game winning streak that vaulted UCLA into the Rose Bowl race. But the injury was much worse than he believed.

“I thought I’d be out for one week,” he said. “But the weeks just came and went, and each week I wasn’t ready. It was real frustrating for me. I had mixed feelings. It was great that we were winning, but I wanted to be out there contributing.”

Woodfin (6-foot-2, 270 pounds), who had 11 tackles in the first three games (three for losses), returned for 20 plays in UCLA’s Nov. 13 game against Arizona State. But his knee still ached and he was distracted by the braces he was required to wear. Worst of all, the Bruins’ winning streak was snapped, 9-6. Woodfin had been in four games, three losses.

A week later against USC, disappointment threatened Woodfin again. After the Trojans moved to the UCLA three-yard line with 50 seconds left, the Bruins seemed on the brink of losing a chance at their first Rose Bowl berth since 1985. Then defensive coordinator Bob Field sent Woodfin out with the starting unit.

“I was really focused on my assignment. I wasn’t feeling any extra pressure,” Woodfin said. “The only thing going through my mind was make a big play. Marvin (Goodwin) made it, but I was thinking I gotta make the big play.”

Goodwin’s interception of Rob Johnson’s third-down pass to Tyler Cashman saved a 27-21 victory. The UCLA defense had performed well, limiting USC to seven net yards rushing and sacking Johnson seven times. The key, said Woodfin, was throwing a lot of different fronts at the Trojans.

“I’ve been so elated, it’s been hard to concentrate on school the past week,” said Woodfin, who can now relax, give his knee more time to heal and get back to his history books. “I’m just now writing a paper. I’m just now getting back into the college routine.”

*

Smigiel’s revenge: Arizona tackle Joe Smigiel (Newbury Park) will have more than a bowl bid and the state rivalry on the line in Friday’s showdown with Arizona State. Personal pride is at stake. Smigiel committed to Arizona State in January, 1990 only to be denied a scholarship by the Sun Devils on letter-of-intent day.

A distraught Smigiel wound up at Cal State Long Beach, which folded its program after his first season. Said Smigiel, who ultimately found his desert oasis in Tucson instead of Tempe: “I can’t wait to play them and get a chance to show them I’m playing for the better team.”

*

Checking the fax: Arizona running back Ontiwaun Carter (Kennedy) has rushed for more than 100 yards in two consecutive games and has 2,130 in his career, No. 5 on the all-time Wildcats’ list. . . .

Cal, led by All-American tackle Todd Steussie (Agoura), has resurrected its bowl hopes with two consecutive victories. Sophomore receiver Iheanyi Uwaezuoke (Harvard) caught five passes for 81 yards and a touchdown in the Golden Bears’ 46-17 rout at Stanford on Saturday. Senior fullback Marty Holly (Harvard-Westlake) chipped in with 62 yards in three rushes and two receptions.