Bruins Hope for Double Vision

If only the performance of identical twins was as symmetrical as their looks.

Then Mat Ball would have 10 sacks from left defensive end to match Dave Ball’s 10 sacks from right defensive end.

But Mat has only one sack, and he admits the disparity bothers him. Dave, however, knows the feeling. After all, Dave was cut from a youth soccer team, not Mat. And Dave watched Mat star on their high school basketball team.

Coaches, however, believe both Balls will be rolling soon.

“They have similar skills and Mat might end up better than Dave,” defensive line coach Don Johnson said. “He chased down [Washington quarterback] Cody Pickett from all the way across the field last week and didn’t get a sack because it was a one-yard gain.”

Mat played linebacker last season and is re-learning end as a backup to senior Rusty Williams. Next season the Balls could be senior bookend starters. And they could be equally devastating, like two rooks on a chess board.

“That’s what I want to see,” Dave said. “Mat and I making life miserable for quarterbacks together.”

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Marcedes Lewis came to UCLA from Long Beach Poly High highly celebrated. Coaches marveled at his athleticism, versatility and maturity. All those qualities are still present, he just hasn’t had much opportunity to exhibit them.

Lewis, 6 feet 7, is used sparingly as a tight end and wide receiver. He has run several fade routes in the end zone designed to take advantage of his height but has yet to make the catch.

Lewis has appeared in all nine games, but has only four catches for 23 yards. His longest reception, of eight yards, came on a fake field goal.

“I believe in Coach [Bob] Toledo,” Lewis said. “I trust what he’s been doing with me. I’ll develop into the all-around tight end I know I can become.”

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Arizona redshirt freshman quarterback Nic Costa is expected to get extended playing time in place of senior Jason Johnson, who needs 88 yards to become Arizona’s single-season passing leader.

Costa, considered the Wildcat quarterback of the future, played the fourth quarter of last week’s 38-3 loss to Oregon State and in three appearances has completed five of 15 passes for 46 yards.

“I think we need to stick [Costa] in the game for a series here and there,” Coach John Mackovic said. “The biggest thing is how he conducts himself, and can he make some plays. The quarterback, ultimately, has to be able to make some plays.”

Costa is more mobile than Johnson, who has been sacked 18 times in the last three games. Johnson is not happy with sharing the job.

“As a senior who has fought my heart out all season long, I feel that I should be out there every play,” he said. “But I respect Coach Mackovic’s decisions and understand we have to look to the future.”