Defense Knows the Score

The added implications have not been lost on some members of the UCLA defense, a group that this week becomes collectively involved in the Heisman Trophy race.

Contain Texas’ Ricky Williams on Saturday afternoon at the Rose Bowl, and it can only help the cause of Cade McNown, not to mention the cause of all Bruins.

“If we shut down Ricky Williams and we continue to win,” outside linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo said, “Cade has a very good shot to win the Heisman. . . . It is motivation for us.

“It’s a good challenge for our defense. He’s one of the greatest running backs in the country. He’s one of the greatest players in the country.”

He presents an especially tough challenge for the Bruins, who are playing their first game of the season, with a slightly altered defense at that. Williams rushed for 215 yards and six touchdowns last Saturday against New Mexico State.

*

The No. 6 ranking--up one spot from the preseason poll thanks to Michigan’s loss to Notre Dame--is the highest for the Bruins at the start of a season in nine years.