UCLA SCOUTING REPORT

* Time: 7 p.m.

* Site: Rose Bowl.

* TV: Fox Sports West 2.

* Radio: KXTA (1150).

* The offenses: UCLA will continue a homecoming tradition by going onto the field before the first offensive play in serpentine fashion, snaking out in Coach Bob Toledo’s salute to the Red Sanders teams of the 1940s and ‘50s. “We might trip coming out of the huddle,” Toledo said. It has been that kind of fortnight. The Bruins have one touchdown in the last nine quarters and have only two by rushing in three games. The return of DeShaun Foster, though not yet as the starting tailback, could provide a spark, but it falls to the offensive line to do a better job. That unit, which has not performed well, got at least a brief reprieve after Oregon State recorded seven sacks last week, when Toledo blamed only three on the line. Responsibility for the others went to quarterbacks Cory Paus and Scott McEwan for not getting rid of the ball in time. It won’t help matters up front that Bryan Fletcher, the part-time starter at tight end, is doubtful because of a sprained ankle. Arizona, meanwhile, is first in the Pacific 10 Conference in rushing, and not just because Trung Canidate is first, and 10th in the nation, among individuals and has had five consecutive 100-yard games. Both Wildcat quarterbacks, Ortege Jenkins and Keith Smith, are threats on the ground. Likewise in the air--Smith is sixth in the country in passing efficiency and Jenkins would be even higher except he does not meet the NCAA minimum of passes thrown. The main target for both is Dennis Northcutt, who is versatile enough to return punts and play defensive back and even more dangerous. No wonder Arizona is 10th in the nation in total offense.

* The defenses: UCLA is eighth in the conference in scoring defense and gave up 55 points, its most in 29 years. Arizona is ninth in the same category and has held only one opponent to fewer than 21 points: always dangerous Middle Tennessee.

* Key to the game: The Bruins need to contain Northcutt, second in the nation in all-purpose yards and punt returns, and fourth in yards receiving. Think Troy Walters. “God, I hope not,” Toledo said.

* Fast fact: UCLA does not rank higher than seventh in the conference in any of the eight primary team statistics for offense and defense.

* Line: Arizona by 3 1/2.

HOW THEY COMPARE

UCLA ARIZONA 24.1 Scoring 29.3 30.1 Points allowed 31.8 220.8 Passing offense 242.5 128.5 Rushing offense 218.1 349.3 Total offense 461.3 271.6 Passing defense 225 183 Rushing defense 159 454.6 Total defense 384