Midterms Will Be Pass-Fail

UCLA’s four nonconference games were like Rorschach inkblots, serving as a team personality test. Coaches evaluated character, traits and temperament.

Three victories and one defeat later, the profile is of an Average Joe.

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The conclusion causes no consternation among the coaches, who got their fill of vain and forceful personalities last season. This Bruin team begins Pacific 10 Conference play today at Oregon State with few distinguishing characteristics but even fewer fissures.

“I like our unity, I like our heart,” Coach Bob Toledo said. “We have a focused football team, a team that has given good effort.”

And it is a team with no glaring weaknesses and no startling strengths.

“We don’t have a lot of stars, and that actually helps in some ways,” running back Manuel White said. “Everybody is pulling on the same end of the rope.”

A breakdown:

OFFENSE

Overall: Workmanlike quarterback Cory Paus completes only about half his passes even on good days, but he has demonstrated quick-strike ability. His six touchdown passes average 33 yards.

Receiver Craig Bragg is the best deep threat and tight end Mike Seidman is a target defenses must account for on every play. Tab Perry has not made a strong impact yet and Ryan Smith has had few opportunities.

White could become a workhorse at tailback, but he will continue to play some fullback until coaches are convinced Pat Norton and J.D. Groves can block well enough to split the load full-time.

Akil Harris can get through a hole but has trouble gaining yardage when the defense loads up the line of scrimmage. Freshmen backs Tyler Ebell, Wendell Mathis and Jason Harrison infuse the offense with short bursts of energy.

The line is considered a strength, although Paus has been sacked 11 times. The development of redshirt freshman center Mike McCloskey and sophomore guard Steven Vieira erased question marks.

Today: Oregon State (4-1) has the best defense the Bruins have faced. Somebody--White and Perry are likely candidates--must step up and match the toughness of the brash, physical Beavers.

Moving the ball on the ground and preventing sacks will be a challenge. Beaver linebackers Richard Seigler and Nick Barnett have combined for 15 tackles for losses.

Cornerback Dennis Weathersby is another standout. Paus should avoid him.

DEFENSE

Overall: The Bruin defensive line is deep enough that reserves Mat Ball, Asi Faoa, Sean Phillips and Ryan Boschetti replace starters Dave Ball, Rusty Williams, Steve Morgan and Rodney Leisle as a unit without a noticeable drop-off.

However, the pass rush must improve. UCLA has a respectable nine sacks, but opposing quarterbacks often have too much time to throw.

Linebackers Marcus Reese, Brandon Chillar and Spencer Havner have exceeded expectations. The secondary, anchored by cornerbacks Ricky Manning and Matt Ware, is solid because of the development of young safeties Ben Emanuel, Jarrad Page and Jibril Raymo.

“We need to continue to get tougher and more physical,” Toledo said. “Otherwise, the defense is about where we thought.”

Today: Because the secondary is strong and the linebackers are mobile, UCLA is well-suited to stop an attack that uses three or more receivers and spreads the field.

Oregon State runs just such an offense. Beaver sophomore quarterback Derek Anderson threw for 15 touchdowns in four victories but showed his inexperience in last week’s 22-0 loss to USC.

“Derek had plenty of time to throw the first three or four games, then last week he got pressured and hit,” Oregon State Coach Dennis Erickson said. “To me, that’s a learning process.”

James Newson is Anderson’s most frequent target, but it makes little sense to double-team him because he is one of eight receivers who have made touchdown catches. Expect UCLA to employ a lot of zone defense.

Running back Steven Jackson leads the Pac-10 with 120 yards a game and is especially dangerous on draw plays. Reese, the senior middle linebacker, will be responsible for keeping Jackson from breaking free.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Overall: There were concerns after numerous breakdowns in the opener against Colorado State. But Bruin special teams have improved each week.

Ebell gives UCLA firepower on punt returns, averaging 13.9 yards. Kick returns are better as well with Perry doing the bulk of the work.

Kicker Chris Griffith and punter Nate Fikse, seniors considered among the best in the conference, started slowly but have shown signs of living up to expectations. Griffith made a career-best 46-yard field goal against San Diego State and Fikse placed several punts inside the 20-yard line.

Today: Oregon State kicker Ryan Cesca has made only one of three field-goal tries after winning back his job. He has had trouble finding the form that earned him All-Pac-10 honors in 2000.

INTANGIBLES

Overall: The Bruins’ best qualities have been maintaining poise on the road and avoiding turnovers and penalties. They have not lost a fumble and have a plus-nine turnover ratio. And they have committed only 18 penalties--tied for the fewest in the Pac-10.

Today: UCLA is 2-0 on road, but this will be the most severe test. Sold-out Reser Stadium is loud and hostile.

“Their fans are close to the action and are very opinionated,” Paus said. “It’s a good place to play as long as you play well. If you start having setbacks, they do a good job of putting pressure on like a 12th man.”

Penalties have hurt the Beavers. They had 12 for 116 yards against USC, about their average. Oregon State has forced 18 turnovers--including a conference-leading 12 interceptions--but have turned the ball over 10 times.