UCLA Will Have to Dig Deep to Extend Streak Over USC

Depth chart, indeed.

UCLA, how low can you go? The starting quarterback for the biggest game of the season was the fourth stringer in October, third only three weeks ago, and is a redshirt freshman in the opening lineup for the first time. Before being pressed into service last week, the starting center hadn’t played there in a game in seven years, but now has the starting left guard listed as his backup and a cast of tight ends, defensive players, scout-teamers and walk-ons being readied as reinforcements for the entire offensive line. The leading rusher, in total yards and average per carry, will watch from the sideline.

And so on.

Things have gotten so bad that Bruin coaches, trying to generate a ninth consecutive victory over USC, have been forced to spend time scratching out lineup possibilities on paper, instead of merely running through the natural progression at the few positions where replacements are needed.

Because there have not always been natural progressions to the backup.

Because there have been more than a few positions to deal with.

Because fourth stringers are starting and starters are backing up at other positions.

Because “I never, ever have been involved with a football team that has had these kinds of problems,” said Coach Bob Toledo, in the business since the late 1960s.

From last week against Washington to this week at USC, UCLA is projected to have four new starters on offense, although one is DeShaun Foster at tailback, and one on defense. Three players--James Ghezzi at center, Micah Webb at right tackle and Ryan McCann at quarterback--will be in the opening lineup on offense for the first time. That will increase to 45 the number of Bruins who will have started this season at the 22 positions, not counting special teams.

Surprises abound. The annual scout scrimmage, a sometimes-raucous affair held as part of the final practice of the season as a way for the practice-only players to get in some action against each other, has been canceled because even they may be needed this week.

Erin Hakes reads in the paper Tuesday morning that her husband, Randy, whose recent standout play has made him the starting tight end, might have to play some tackle at the Coliseum.

“How come you didn’t tell me?” she asked.

“I’m kind of just finding out myself,” Randy replied.

There are other crash courses, replacements being prepared for the replacements. If Ghezzi goes down, for example, Oscar Cabrera is slated to play center. At that time, Ed Anderson, who played some the first two games because of the handicapped-parking suspensions but wasn’t even used last week when he was the only reserve offensive lineman the final three quarters, would probably become the left guard. Just to be safe, the Bruins took Ghezzi off the blocking unit for extra points--and may end up using defensive tackle Anthony Fletcher there instead.

“This is not something that happens to every team,” Hakes said. “In some respects, it’s kind of fun. It gives us a chance to show everyone how much heart we have.”

Said Tony White, this week a starting outside linebacker and the backup middle linebacker: “We should be OK. But we might have to take some people from the student body just in case.”

He was kidding. Probably.

McCann, of course, will be the most watched of the newcomers, entering a rivalry with little experience, but at least with precedent. In 1992, John Barnes, a one-time fourth-string walk-on, was pressed into a starting role against USC and responded with an improbable 385 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bruins to victory.

They were 5-5 before that game. They are 4-6 now.

They were ranked 15th at the time of the season opener that year; they were 17th at the time of the season opener this year.

The Bruins can only hope this was meant to be. McCann saw that ’92 game a couple weeks ago on ESPN’s classics network. The way he had moved up to No. 2 on the depth chart on his own merits and that Cory Paus had already missed time because of injury, he couldn’t help but think that could be him.

“I guess it’s kind of the same situation,” said McCann, whose only extensive experience came last week while completing 12 of 23 passes for 146 yards and no interceptions in the 23-20 overtime victory over Washington. “I just have to hope for the same results.”

Except this is a scenario unlike any other for all the Bruins. That’s even without all the major injuries--Danny Farmer, Brian Poli-Dixon, Travor Turner, Jason Bell, Foster--that contributed to the early struggles. The last few weeks alone would be enough to make them shake their heads in disbelief, except there are probably orders from Toledo not to do so. Someone might sprain his neck.

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USC vs. UCLA: The 1980s

Year Winner, score

1980 UCLA, 20-17

1981 USC, 22-21

1982 UCLA, 20-19

1983 UCLA, 27-17

1984 UCLA, 29-10

1985 USC, 17-13

1986 UCLA, 45-25

1987 USC, 17-13

1988 USC, 31-22

* 1989 Tied, 10-10

* A 54-yard field-goal try by UCLA’s Alfredo Velasco with two seconds remaining hit the crossbar and bounced away.

Lost Causes

The only times USC and UCLA have played each other when each team had a losing record:

* 1937: USC, 3-4-2; UCLA, 2-5-1

Result: USC, 19-13

* 1940: USC, 2-3-2; UCLA, 1-8-0

Result: USC, 28-12

* 1941: USC, 2-6-0; UCLA, 4-4-0

Result: Tied, 7-7