Bruins Have Own Percussion Band

If you’re a fan at today’s UCLA-Stanford game at the Rose Bowl, armed with binoculars, you couldn’t go wrong by focusing on the quarterbacks, Cory Paus of the Bruins and Randy Fasani of the Cardinal.

The star receivers are worth a peek too, Freddie Mitchell of the Bruins and DeRonnie Pitts of the Cardinal.

However, for hard-hitting action that could well determine the outcome of the game, you might want to keep Bruin defenders Marques Anderson and Ricky Manning in your line of sight.

Anderson, at strong safety, wears No. 7. Manning, at left cornerback, wears No. 9. These other numbers are truly impressive: Of the 11 turnovers the Bruins have gotten in their last three games, Anderson and Manning have been involved in eight.

The Bruin defense is not particularly stingy, but its big-play nature concerns Stanford Coach Tyrone Willingham.

“They create some turnovers. That’s one of the things we have to be aware of,” he said. “We have a tendency to self-destruct on occasion.”

Anderson and Manning would be pleased to assist in that. Manning, a sophomore, had two interceptions last week and forced a fumble two weeks ago. In the last three weeks, Anderson, a junior, has recovered three fumbles, forced another and intercepted two passes.

“They’re both in the midst of the action,” UCLA defensive coordinator Bob Field said. “They’re big-play guys.”

Without their help, Paus wouldn’t have been in position to orchestrate the winning touchdown drive in last week’s 27-24 victory at Arizona.

In the third quarter, after UCLA field goals on consecutive drives had cut the Arizona lead to 21-20, Wildcat quarterback Ortege Jenkins faked a handoff, took off down the right sideline and left the UCLA defense in his wake. He had crossed midfield and was headed toward the end zone when Anderson charged across the field and dragged him down from behind.

“Marques was covering a wide receiver on the opposite side from where Jenkins ran the play,” Field said. “Normally, you’d say he was out of the play.”

Said Manning, “He can go hashmark to sideline with no problem. He’s the fastest guy on the team.”

Jenkins ran for 62 yards, but Anderson stopped him at the UCLA 17-yard-line. Two plays later, Manning picked him off, and the Wildcats had no points to show for Jenkins’ effort, in a game when three more would have forced overtime and seven more would have won the game for Arizona.

Against Oregon State, with the ball at the UCLA one, Manning made tailback Ken Simonton fumble, and Anderson recovered, saving a touchdown. Against California, with the Bears trying to run out the clock at the end of the first half, Anderson recovered a fumble by quarterback Kyle Boller at the Cal five, and the Bruins converted the gift touchdown.

“When we need a big play, they step up,” UCLA linebacker Tony White said.

Manning is the more consistent tackler, Anderson the harder and more spectacular hitter.

Coach Bob Toledo said Manning has “some great instincts. He makes plays a lot of other people can’t make. It’s amazing the way he knifes through people.”

Anderson tends to raise the blood pressure of his coaches with his high-risk, high-reward style.

“I’m a real competitive guy,” he said. “I’ll see the ball on the other side of the field and I’ll just want to go get it. Sometimes, that leaves the backside open, and a quarterback can tuck it in and run. You have to play within yourself.

“The coaches have told me that’s what happens to a lot of good players--they try and make every play, and sometimes when you try and do that, it messes up the whole chemistry of the defense. You have to know when to do it and when not to do it. Sometimes it works. But it only takes one play to give up six.”

Anderson acknowledges getting frustrated when opposing coaches direct plays away from him, and opponents are no more eager to run plays at Manning.

White said the other starters in the UCLA secondary, Jason Bell and Jason Zdenek, also have played well.

But, if he were an opposing offensive coordinator, White said he would worry first about Anderson and Manning.

“I would try to stay away from those two guys as much as I could,” White said.

vs. STANFORD

Rose Bowl

Today, 3:30

TV: Channel 9

Radio: KXTA (1150)

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