It’s Not That Big of a Deal to Paus

Anybody getting worked into a lather about the rivalry game Saturday against USC need only spend a few minutes with Bruin quarterback Cory Paus to cool down.

“Last year against USC, it was just another loss to me,” he said. “This game is important because we have to turn it around after losing three in a row. In my mind, that’s the reason it’s important.”

The whole idea of a game looming large because the schools are in the same city doesn’t really register.

“I realize it’s a big deal, it’s the rivalry, but I look at every team as a rival,” he said.

The fact that it is UCLA against USC isn’t as personal as it is to players who grew up in Los Angeles. Paus was raised in a suburb of Chicago. Northwestern was the team to follow, but the Wildcats don’t have a true rival.

“Growing up, the only thing I knew about USC was that O.J. Simpson went there,” he said. “And the only thing I knew about UCLA was that Troy Aikman went there. I didn’t watch much college football as a kid.”

Paus played well in last season’s 38-35 loss to the Trojans, completing 13 of 22 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He did not play in USC’s 17-7 victory in 1999 because of a fractured clavicle.

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Akil Harris had 45 carries last season. He had only 19 this season before last week’s game against Oregon. And he didn’t expect many more.

But with DeShaun Foster ineligible, Harris became the workhorse, getting 29 carries.

“Man, that’s a lot of carries,” he said. “But you know, it didn’t seem like that many. I wasn’t really tired.”

Harris gained 79 yards, and his longest run was only nine yards. He expects better production against USC, which is leaky against the run.

“I’m thinking we can move the ball,” he said.

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Matt Clark, a reserve cornerback from Reseda Cleveland High, is one of only three true freshmen not redshirting for the Bruins.

Until last week, his playing time was limited to the waning moments of blowouts. But with Tab Perry injured and Foster ineligible, Clark returned kicks against Oregon.

He returned three for 74 yards, including a 37-yarder that is the longest by UCLA this season.