A Master Class for Offense

It might be a bit early in the morning for undivided attention, but the Bruins ought to digest everything they can when Bill Walsh speaks today at their breakfast.

Walsh, who coached the San Francisco 49ers to three Super Bowl victories in the 1980s, is the architect of the West Coast offense, the sophisticated scheme that UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell brought to Westwood this season. Few college teams employ the offense, and the Bruins have had difficulty mastering it.

UCLA ranks No. 109 among 117 NCAA Division I teams in total offense. No wonder the three weeks leading up to the Silicon Valley Classic were spent reviewing the basics rather than implementing new wrinkles.

“We mostly ironed things out and were getting things taught in detail,” Dorrell said. “Hopefully, we’ll have better execution.”

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Terry Donahue, the 49er general manager and former UCLA coach, allowed UCLA to use the 49er practice facility in Santa Clara.

Donahue and Dorrell spoke briefly after practice Sunday, and Donahue said he would not be able to attend the Silicon Valley Classic because he will be scouting in Southern California. He plans to attend the Rose Bowl.

The 49ers, like many NFL teams, will have scouts watching UCLA and Fresno State too.

“That’s in your mind,” said senior linebacker Brandon Chillar, an All-Pacific 10 Conference linebacker. “The main motivation is that it’s the last time I’m wearing this gold helmet, but the seniors know scouts are watching.”

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Playing Fresno State has special meaning for Bruin guard Eyoseph Efseaff, who grew up in rural Porterville. Bulldog safety James Sanders was his high school teammate and remains a good friend.

“This is basically a home game for me,” Efseaff told the Fresno Bee.

“The whole town’s talking. It’s Eyoseph versus James, and everyone’s taking a side. Everyone is pumped up. It’s going to be wild and crazy. I’m really looking forward to it.”

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Safety Jarrad Page is the latest Bruin to contract flu, but Dorrell said he will play. Page’s presence is important because the other starting safety, Ben Emanuel, was suspended for breaking a team rule. Dorrell said that Nnamdi Ohaeri, Kevin Brant and Eric McNeal will share time in Emanuel’s place.... Tailback Tyler Ebell will not play because of a shoulder injury and receiver Ryan Smith probably is sidelined because of a sprained ankle.