Ware Gives Bruins Some Options

Playing quarterback is like riding a bicycle to Matt Ware of UCLA. He hadn’t done it for a year, but against Oregon he had his two wheels flying as soon as the snap hit his hands.

Ware, normally a cornerback by trade and the only Bruin true freshman starter, ran four option keepers for 22 yards and made a couple of nice pitches. He also caught a pass for a 49-yard gain, but don’t expect him to switch permanently to offense.

If Ware changes positions next season, it will be to free safety.

“He wants to be a defensive back,” Coach Bob Toledo said. “That’s what he is going to be. We are recruiting quarterbacks who fit our system.”

There are other obstacles to Ware’s becoming a full-time quarterback. He signed a baseball contract with the Seattle Mariners in August and won’t be at UCLA for summer workouts. And UCLA would have to commit to an option attack.

That isn’t to say Ware won’t line up behind center for a few plays Saturday against USC.

“He did some nice things,” Toledo said. “He has the ability and it’s an opportunity to get a highly skilled athlete on the field to make plays.

“But his future is on defense.”

Cory Paus is undoubtedly distracted by his legal problems stemming from two alcohol violations in the last two years. But for a few hours he can set his focus on football and climb UCLA’s passing lists.

Paus, a junior, has thrown for 5,185 yards, fifth all-time. He needs 179 to move past Troy Aikman (5,298) and Tommy Maddox (5,363) into third.

Paus is sixth in touchdown passes with 32, one behind Maddox and two behind Wayne Cook.

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With all the controversy surrounding Paus, who has been benched at times this season, USC Coach Pete Carroll was asked if he’d ever considered pulling his quarterback, especially when the Trojans lost four of their first five games.

“I never felt like Carson Palmer was the issue,” Carroll said. “He’s the guy who gives us the best chance to win and we just needed to support him better from all areas, whether it was running the ball or playing defense or protecting him better.”

But Carroll acknowledged that Palmer needed to help his line by getting rid of the ball more quickly, something he has improved on in recent victories.

“We’re at our best when we’re in a quick rhythm,” Carroll said. “He’s really a good rhythm quarterback.”

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Injuries have forced several changes in USC’s lineup today. Linebacker Chris Prosser will start in place of Matt Grootegoed, who broke his leg against California last week. Devin Pitts will replace receiver Keary Colbert, who is nursing two sore ankles but hopes to play. Norm Katnik will start at left guard, having won the weekly competition over senior Faaesea Mailo.

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Four Navy F-18 jets will fly over the Coliseum, traveling from east to west, at the conclusion of the national anthem in a tribute to American troops.