UCLA SCOUTING REPORT

* Time: 12:30 p.m. PDT.

* Site: Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz.

* TV: Channel 7.

* Radio: KLAC (570).

* The offenses: The state of the starting quarterback is an issue for each team. Cory Paus returns for UCLA after sitting out most of the final three quarters against Fresno State and all of last week against Stanford because of sore chest muscles. He’s clearly not at 100% because of continued pain when he throws. Paus has decided against wearing a flak jacket in his first start on the road. “It looks funny, No. 1,” he said. “And if you don’t look good, you can’t play good.” Arizona State’s Ryan Kealy was having his best game of the young season last week against California--15 of 25 for 266 yards and two touchdowns--until being forced out after three quarters with bruised ribs. Kealy, who also tore cartilage in his right knee in the opener but was back the next week after arthroscopic surgery, is a game-time decision. The uncertainty of the Bruin backfield extends beyond Paus. Backup Drew Bennett has a strained right elbow and probably will give way to third-stringer Scott McEwan if UCLA needs to throw and Paus is injured. DeShaun Foster, normally the starting tailback, is a game-time decision because of a sprained ankle. Keith Brown opens in his place.

* The defenses: Amid the criticism of the UCLA secondary after Stanford’s record-setting passing game, there has also been praise from coaches about the line and the linebackers. The Cardinal had 207 yards on the ground, but 32 of those were on a fake punt and 56 came on a quarterback scramble. Top ground threat Kerry Carter managed only 31 yards in 13 carries. Arizona State has held two of its three opponents to fewer than 300 yards total offense. Solomon Bates, the 17-year-old freshman from Moreno Valley, is starting at middle linebacker.

* Key to the game: Arizona State is No. 2 in the conference in rushing offense, and its defense allowed California only 50 yards on the ground last week. The Bruins must be able to match up with the Sun Devils inside, a task that becomes all the more difficult if Foster doesn’t play and if Paus is having trouble throwing.

* Fast fact: Last week against Stanford marked the first time Danny Farmer did not catch a pass in nearly three years, since Oct. 26, 1996, against California.

* Line: UCLA by 1 1/2.

HOW THEY COMPARE

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UCLA ARIZONA STATE 31.1 Scoring 20.3 28 Points allowed 24 249.3 Passing offense 192 134.8 Rushing offense 174 384 Total offense 366 283.3 Passing defense 185.7 179.8 Rushing defense 173.3 463 Total defense 359

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