Bruin Offensive Line Is Top Dog

No. 1 in the conference in sacks vs. No. 1 in the conference in fewest sacks allowed?

No contest.

The UCLA offensive line that has been praised all season earned its greatest accolades of all Saturday, walling off the formidable Washington defense to help generate 206 yards rushing without allowing a sack and playing a major role in the Bruins’ 36-24 victory.

“It was huge,” offensive line coach Mark Weber said. “A huge day. Our goal, first and foremost, today was to represent the Pac-10 and go to at least the Rose Bowl. The offensive line knew if we took matters into our own hands we’d be in good shape.”

Not just tops in the conference but leading the nation in sacks, Washington was shut out Saturday. UCLA has allowed 10 in nine games, an impressive average anyway but especially considering what happened at Husky Stadium.

“That’s what we were thinking the whole week, that’s what we emphasized all week,” guard Oscar Cabrera said. “They had the most sacks and we had allowed the fewest sacks. Which line is better?

“Giving up no sacks and rushing for 200 yards against Washington, that’s a great accomplishment.”

Said tackle Brian Polak of the ratings and the showdown it generated: “We knew that and that’s how we looked at it. They are the best pass rushers and we are the best pass blockers, and we prevailed.”

Polak’s contributions were all the more noteworthy since he played in pain for much of the second half, after a Washington player rolled on his leg, forcing him to the ground for a couple minutes. When the replay was shown on the scoreboard, the crowd gasped, but he was back for the next series.

“I had to play, I felt like I was letting everyone down,” he said. “It hurt real bad, but I just tried not to think about it.

“In the huddle, everyone could tell I was in pain. They told me to just keep pushing, so I did.”

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The Bruins said they took a little inspiration from notions they were ripe for an upset.

“Plenty of people pick us to lose,” quarterback Cade McNown said. “If we do, then they can say, ‘I told you so.’ If we win, then they just keep their mouths shut.”

Ryan Roques said the Bruins thrive on it.

“Some people picked us to lose,” Roques said. “Some people picked us to barely win. Some picked us to pull a high-wire act.

“We see that stuff. They pick the other team to beat us, they’re saying we have no pride. I know it got us pumped up.

“I know this team always responds with our backs against the wall. If you say we’re not going to win, I’m excited to hear that.”

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The five field goals by Chris Sailer, in five attempts, marked a career high and fell one shy of the school record, set by John Lee on Sept. 8, 1984. Lee supplied all the UCLA scoring that day in the 18-15 victory over San Diego State. . . . After not having a single player rush for 100 yards the previous nine games, Washington had two, Willie Hurst with 114 and Braxton Cleman with 100. The combined 248 yards on the ground for the Huskies was a season high.

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Times staff writer Bill Plaschke contributed to this story.