ROSE BOWL / DAILY REPORT : UCLA : Bruins Might Be Forced to Throw More

The key to beating Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl might well be UCLA’s passing game. The Bruins generally seek a balance between running and passing, averaging 181.1 rushing yards and 191.8 passing yards, but Wisconsin has been more vulnerable through the air.

The Badgers ranked eighth in the Big Ten in pass defense and opposition quarterbacks completed 60.3% of their passes.

Wisconsin plays an attacking, gambling defense and intercepted 22 passes. The Badgers gave up only 11 touchdown passes.

“They look tough to run against,” UCLA quarterback Wayne Cook said. “I think that we can throw on them. That’s one of the things we’re going to have to do well.

“They’re very tricky. They line up in a way that they can disguise their coverages. They’re always moving. It’s like they’re playing with you. They’re out there trying to drive you crazy, because you’re not sure what coverage they’re in until right before the ball is snapped.”

That will put an emphasis on receivers changing their routes in mid-play and Cook reading their actions.

“It’s hard for the receivers, too,” Cook said, “because they’re not sure what coverage they’re in. So they don’t know if they’re going to do a fade, or an out or whatever, so that’s going to be hard. It’s going to be the hardest part of the game.”

Cook completed 53.9% of his 254 passes, threw only three interceptions and had 17 touchdown passes.

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UCLA’s defense scored five touchdowns, two on fumble returns by Tommy Bennett and Marvin Goodwin and three on interceptions by Nkosi Littleton, Teddy Lawrence and Donovan Gallatin, and added a safety, scored against Washington State. Four of the five plays covered 30 or more yards.

Wisconsin did not score a defensive point this season.

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Ten of UCLA’s 42 offensive touchdowns have come from 30 or more yards out. . . . The Bruins are 14-3 with linebacker Jamir Miller in the lineup, 0-5 without him. Miller, who has been hampered by a pinched nerve in his neck, is expected to start in the Rose Bowl.