Defense Will Be on Run Again

No wonder UCLA defensive linemen Ken Kocher and Anthony Fletcher have done extra conditioning after practice this week.

They must spend another Saturday chasing a quarterback who won’t stay put.

Steve Bellisari of Ohio State follows in the elusive footsteps of Alabama’s Tyler Watts and Kansas’ Mario Kinsey. He will scramble, run the option and even burst off tackle.

Since winning the job as a sophomore after a strong performance in a 42-20 victory over UCLA, Bellisari has given new meaning to running the offense, ripping off six runs of more than 25 yards.

He had three runs for 50 yards and completed 11 of 16 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns against the Bruins.

“That was his breakout game,” UCLA Coach Bob Toledo said. “He is extremely mobile and they are running more option.

“He presents problems not only with his arm but his legs. I think he’s better than Watts or Kinsey.”

Bellisari, a 6-foot-3 senior, rotated with highly regarded sophomore Scott McMullen in the Buckeyes’ 28-14 victory over Akron on Sept. 8. But Bellisari will play most of the time against UCLA.

“I would hope Scott would get some playing time in an atmosphere like [the Rose Bowl],” Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel said. “I’m not ready to say what the mix is going to be.”

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There was a need, and Mat Ball filled it willingly with his 6-6, 265-pound frame. The sophomore moved from defensive end to strongside linebacker a week before the season started to give the Bruins someone rugged enough to hold his ground against a tight end coming off the line of scrimmage.

But because the Bruins faced opponents in the first two games that spread the field with four wide receivers, Ball found himself watching from the sideline as often as not. The more mobile Brandon Chillar got most of the playing time.

Ohio State, however, boasts one of the nation’s top tight ends in 6-6, 265-pound Darnell Sanders. This will be Ball’s game.

“This is the type of opponent we envisioned using Mat against,” Toledo said. “He’s strong and physical enough to go against a tight end like Sanders.”