Harrington Looks for Tight End

Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington is a Heisman Trophy candidate who has thrown 22 touchdown passes. Receiver Keenan Howry has 44 catches and is a breathtaking punt returner. Running backs Onterrio Smith and Maurice Morris have combined for 1,662 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Yet the difference against UCLA might be tight end Justin Peelle, a 6-foot-5 senior from Fresno.

Peelle has been Harrington’s preferred partner on third down and in the red zone with eight touchdowns and eight first downs among his 22 catches.

And because Bruin strong safety Jason Stephens is injured and will sit out his second consecutive game, Peelle often will be covered by a redshirt freshman, Ben Emanuel.

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Emanuel was one of the Bruins’ few bright spots last week against Washington State, intercepting two passes and returning one for a touchdown in his first start.

“As the game went on, I felt more and more comfortable,” he said. “Playing on this defense with so many seniors makes it easier. I can just concentrate on doing my job.”

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Bruin tackle Bryce Bohlander had extra motivation against Oregon State. UCLA won, 38-7.

Now Bohlander says he has extra motivation for Oregon.

“The Oregon game is always going to be something special for me,” he said. “I know the coaches and a lot of the players. There is a little bit more fire for me to put into this game.”

The 6-foot-6, 290-pound junior from McNary High in Keizer, Ore., was a Parade All-American in 1998. He never considered Oregon State, but was recruited by Oregon.

“I wanted to come to a bigger city with more exposure,” he said. “I wanted to play in the big L.A. market.”

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Fewer than 500 seats are available today at the Rose Bowl.

A sellout would put the crowd at about 82,000, the largest for a Pacific 10 Conference game involving Oregon.

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HOW THEY MATCH UP

When UCLA has the ball: Even without DeShaun Foster, the Bruins must run the ball. Why? They haven’t passed well. Cory Paus is 12 of 35 with four interceptions and no touchdowns in the last two games, both losses. The best contribution the offense can make is to avoid turnovers--there were seven last week--and make enough first downs to keep the Bruin defense from getting fatigued.

When Oregon has the ball: Bruin defenders can hold their heads high. They have had only one bad half all season--the first half against Stanford--and certainly played well enough to win against Washington State, giving up only a touchdown and two field goals while creating three turnovers. But Oregon has the best and most balanced offense UCLA will see all season. Two weeks ago Onterrio Smith and Maurice Morris each rushed for more than 100 yards. Last week Joey Harrington passed for six touchdowns. Oregon has scored on 33 of 35 occasions inside the red zone, including 30 touchdowns, so shutting down the Ducks would be the Bruins’ greatest defensive accomplishment to date. But the way UCLA’s offense is playing, it still might not be enough to win.

Key to the game: UCLA must be mistake-free. A 15-yard foul is devastating when the offense has difficulty making 10 yards in three plays. Interceptions and fumbles have ruined several of the handful of scoring opportunities presented the anemic offense.

Fast fact: Oregon has won eight of its last nine road games.

The pick: Both keeping pace. The edge: Oregon.

The line: Pick ‘em.