Duo Could Have Been Farmhands

As far as Stanford is concerned, Tab Perry and Craig Bragg are the ones that got away.

The talented UCLA receivers grew up nearby, Perry in Milpitas and Bragg in San Jose. Perry’s mother and sister attended Stanford.

Now they are roommates living in Westwood and playing integral roles in the Bruins’ 6-0 start.

Perry, a sophomore, is the team’s leading receiver with 15 catches for 318 yards and two touchdowns. He also returns kicks.

Bragg, a redshirt freshman, is a multiple threat. He has six catches for 109 yards, averages 14.6 yards on seven reverses and 9.5 yards on 11 punt returns.

UCLA receivers coach Ron Caragher was sent a tape three years ago of a game between Milpitas and Bellarmine Prep, which Bragg attended.

“I knew then from looking at those two guys,” Caragher said, “that we had to have both of them.”

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Stanford’s answer to Perry and Bragg is Luke Powell, a speedy receiver and dangerous punt returner in his own right.

Powell, a redshirt sophomore, is second in the nation with a 22.0-yard return average, taking punts 46 yards against Boston College and Washington State, and 51 yards against Arizona State.

“Getting a couple of good returns last year helped my confidence,” he said. “I take pride in it because it’s another opportunity for me to score and make some big plays.”

He also has 20 catches for 353 yards. UCLA Coach Bob Toledo recalls Powell’s performance last season against the Bruins, when he had 149 yards and a touchdown on four catches.

“He’s very quick and very skilled,” Toledo said.

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This game is the best today west of Lincoln, Neb., but folks in the Bay Area aren’t overwhelmed. Not even after the Cardinal upset Oregon, 49-42, last week and moved into the AP rankings at No. 20 and bowl championship series rankings at No. 14.

A crowd of 55,000 is expected at Stanford Stadium, meaning that about 30,000 tickets are unsold.

“It’s like playing out in the Safeway parking lot,” Toledo said.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

When UCLA has the ball: Stanford has allowed 87 points in the last two weeks, so UCLA should be able to find soft spots in the senior-dominated defense, especially through the air, where the Cardinal gives up 274 yards a game. The defense is susceptible to big plays, but makes them as well. With Brian Poli-Dixon out, Bruin receivers Ryan Smith, Craig Bragg and Tab Perry must make plays as they did in last week’s 56-17 victory over California. Heisman Trophy candidate DeShaun Foster has rushed for more than 100 yards in all but one game and needs 70 to reach 1,000 this season.

When Stanford has the ball: UCLA has not allowed an opponent to score more than once in a quarter all season, but Stanford has the most balanced and potent offense the Bruins have faced. The Cardinal running game is dangerously diverse. Speedy Brian Allen (429 yards, 6.0 average) is effective in the open field and on draw plays. Powerful Kerry Carter (309, 3.7) is strongest near the goal line. Chris Lewis will start at quarterback in place of the injured Randy Fasani.

Key to the game: Cory Paus. The Bruin quarterback had his best game last week, completing 13 of 16 for 273 yards against California. A similar outing against the porous Stanford secondary should enable UCLA to generate enough points to win.

Fast fact: Fifty Stanford players are National Honor Society members.

The pick: Stanford’s victory at Oregon was impressive, but beating another top-five team is a tall order. UCLA has not allowed an opponent more than 17 points, and Stanford has held only one opponent to fewer than 17. So, while both teams are experienced and strong offensively, UCLA’s defense will be the difference. The edge--UCLA.

The line: UCLA by 7.