Dorrell Hopes Inspiration Carries Over to the Game

Coach Karl Dorrell likes the way UCLA players have bounced back after their 29-19 loss at Washington last week.

“It was inspired practice, and guys were competing hard against each other and getting after it,” said Dorrell, whose team will play host to Stanford tonight at the Rose Bowl. “I’m anxious to play and I’m sure they are too.”

The Bruins have not lost consecutive Pacific 10 Conference games since losing at California and Arizona State in October 2004. .

“We are at the point where we have a loss in conference,” Dorrell said. “So we have to be hungry about playing and getting ourselves playing as good of football as we can.”

To shake things up, UCLA made a few adjustments in practice and the players responded.

“We did more things so we could get after each other more,” cornerback Rodney Van said. “We just had a different mentality in practice this week. It’s all about Stanford. We know we need to step up and have more eagerness about ourselves.”

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Stanford has three players who rank in the top six in the Pac-10 in tackles: safety Trevor Hooper (9.2 a game), linebacker Clinton Snyder (8.8) and cornerback Brandon Harrison (8.0). But the Cardinal’s best tackler might be senior linebacker Michael Okwo.

Okwo sat out the first two games because of a broken thumb, but he has been a force since returning to the lineup. In Stanford’s losses to Navy and Washington State, Okwo had 25 tackles, including a career-high 15 against the Cougars.

“Mike Okwo has some real gifts,” Coach Walt Harris said this week. “The area we have to help him in is to get him out of there once in a while, because he is not nearly in as good of football-shape as others who are playing, since he’s been out.”

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UCLA quarterback Ben Olson, who has five turnovers in the last two games, said it would be OK with him if the Bruins focus on running backs Chris Markey and Kahlil Bell against Stanford, which gives up 312 yards a game on the ground.

“If we run the ball to win, I’m completely fine with that,” said Olson, who has five touchdown passes with three interceptions. “My job is to just try and execute the plays that I’m given. That’s all you can do as a quarterback.”

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UCLA offensive guard Shannon Tevaga will make his 22nd consecutive start tonight, the longest current streak on the team.... Stanford has been penalized only 13 times in four games, best in the Pac-10.... UCLA kicker Justin Medlock leads the nation, averaging three field goals a game.... The Bruins have won eight straight games at the Rose Bowl.... Eight of UCLA’s last 12 games played against Stanford at the Rose Bowl have been decided by five points or fewer, including six that were decided by three or fewer.

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lonnie.white@latimes.com

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1Win turnover battle. Stanford has lost six fumbles this season -- tied for the most in the Pac-10 -- and UCLA quarterback Ben Olson has had three passes intercepted and has lost two fumbles in the last two games. Stanford has only one interception in four games.

2Pressure quarterbacks. Stanford’s Trent Edwards and UCLA’s Olson can be effective when given time to throw. But like most quarterbacks, they are vulnerable against a consistent pass rush. UCLA defensive ends Justin Hickman and Bruce Davis have been solid pass rushers all season; Stanford counts on Chris Horn and Pannel Egboh for sacks.

3Ball control. With receivers Evan Moore and Mark Bradford sidelined because of injuries, Stanford does not have many big-play threats. The Cardinal will need to put together long drives to stay in the game. UCLA has ranked among the nation’s leaders in time of possession all season and is facing a Stanford defense that is worst in the Pac-10 against the run.

-- LONNIE WHITE