From Suspended to Animation

Like children who chart growth by marking their height on a wall, three UCLA seniors will pause today to measure their maturity.

Marques Anderson, Ryan Nece and Robert Thomas did not play against Ohio State two years ago. They were among 11 Bruins suspended for illegally using handicapped-parking permits and helplessly watched the game on TV with their parents.

That’s why today’s game against the Buckeyes is something of a rite of passage. The misbehaving kids who were too little for the roller coaster have finally grown enough to take the ride.

“I’ve thought about it this entire week,” Thomas said. “You have to live and learn. You have to grow up. I didn’t realize what the consequences would be. I’m blessed to be in the position I’m in and be able to play them again.”

The trio is integral to a mature Bruin defense that allowed Alabama and Kansas only 17 points each in victories. UCLA is 2-0 largely because of senior leadership and experience.

Thomas, the middle linebacker, leads the team with 16 tackles and three sacks. Nece, an outside linebacker, recovered a fumble and returned an interception for a touchdown against Kansas. Anderson, the free safety, is a punishing tackler and solid pass defender.

UCLA is as different from the team that lost to Ohio State, 42-20, as Danny Almonte is from a legal Little Leaguer. Two years of growth can do that.

The undermanned Bruins were punished by the physical Buckeyes, fell apart in the fourth quarter, and a 21-17 deficit spun into a rout.

“It was a hard game to watch, a hard game to swallow,” Nece said. “We wore down in the fourth quarter. To know you aren’t part of the team and can’t do anything to help your team win while you’re sitting on your couch eating popcorn, that was tough.”

Thomas and Nece were reinstated the next week. Anderson, who had other undisclosed transgressions on his record, was kicked out of school for a year and missed the entire dismal season. UCLA went 4-7.

“It was hard sitting back knowing I couldn’t do anything,” Anderson said. “That was painful. You don’t know what you have until it’s taken away.

“It will be different this time.”

No. 14 UCLA held the same ranking when the teams met at Ohio Stadium. The Buckeyes were ranked No. 13 then and are No. 21 today. The Bruins now are one of the nation’s most seasoned teams.

“With UCLA, there is no comparison to two years ago,” Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel said. “In ‘99, they were playing hurt and with guys who were young.”

Tressel is in his first season, replacing much-maligned John Cooper, who was criticized throughout a 13-year tenure despite posting a 111-43-4 record. Tressel, who won four Division 1-AA national titles during 15 years at Youngstown State, must deal with the outrageous expectations.

The Buckeyes looked sloppy in a 28-14 season-opening victory over Akron. Senior quarterback Steve Bellisari fumbled four times and there is talk of him losing his job to sophomore Scott McMullen. A poor performance against UCLA might do it.

In an odd coincidence, Bellisari earned the starting spot against UCLA in ’99 when he replaced Austin Moherman in the second quarter with UCLA leading, 10-7, and took the Buckeyes on consecutive touchdown drives of 50 and 58 yards. Bellisari completed 11 of 16 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 50 yards.

“That was my coming-out game where I made my mark and established myself as the quarterback,” Bellisari said. “I had a lot of things going my way that night. Coach Tressel made me watch the film of that game and I had a lot of good breaks.”

Ohio State has inexperienced receivers and a suspect kicking game. The Buckeyes’ strength is a defense anchored by excellent linebackers and safeties.

“They are like a good baseball team, their defense is strong up the middle,” UCLA Coach Bob Toledo said.

Anderson, Thomas and Nece help give UCLA a similar look. The entire program has a stronger foundation.

“Since that incident, we have older guys talk to freshmen during orientation,” Nece said. “I tell them, ‘There was a time I was young and thought I knew how to make the right decisions. I didn’t make those and it cost me.”’

From an older, wiser perspective, the three players will take a moment before the game to look around the Rose Bowl and savor the moment.

“I knew as soon as they told us we were suspended that we would play Ohio State again,” Nece said. “I’m glad I don’t have to miss out on this one.”

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OHIO STATE AT UCLA

Today at Rose Bowl

12:30 p.m., Channel 7