Bowl Executive Says Aloha to the Bruins

The Bruins cannot pack their bags for Hawaii yet, but bowl executives there are rooting for UCLA to qualify for the Aloha Bowl or the Oahu Bowl.

“I really love the idea of UCLA coming,” said Fritz Rohlfing, executive director of Bowl Games of Hawaii, organizer of the two games.

The Pacific 10 Conference assigns the fourth- and fifth-place finishers, based strictly on conference standings, to the games in Hawaii. Arizona, 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the Pac-10, is in fourth place but faces a rougher schedule than UCLA (5-3, 2-3) and Arizona State (5-3, 2-3).

In the case of ties--all three teams at 4-4, or two tied for fifth place--bowl organizers take their choice of teams. Rohlfing indicated he would prefer the Bruins fill one of the two Pac-10 slots rather than try to sell two games with an Arizona team in each.

“They’re all good teams,” he said. “But the more geographical dispersion you have, the better for television and the better for fan involvement. That’s a consideration.”

California (3-5, 2-3) and Stanford (3-5, 2-3) also are tied for fifth place in the Pac-10, but each team needs to win all three remaining games to become eligible for bowl play. The Bruins can ensure Stanford cannot qualify for a bowl by beating the Cardinal on Saturday.

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On Monday, someone asked quarterback Cory Paus what he knew about Stanford linebacker Riall Johnson.

“I didn’t even know his name,” Paus said. “I’m sure I’ll find out about him.”

Johnson led the Pac-10 in sacks last season and is tied for the conference lead this season, and the Bruins cannot simply assign one player to block him because the Cardinal lines Johnson up all over the field.

“He never quits. And there aren’t too many guys that combine his quickness and knowledge of pass rushing,” UCLA offensive lineman Brian Polak said.