UCLA coaches sent a simple and clear message to football players during the two weeks since the team’s last loss.
“It’s our job as leaders to always keep a challenge in front of them,” defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker said. “All we can ask these kids to do is fight.”
And that’s the plan.
After an intense week of practice, the Bruins (3-5, 2-3 Pac-10) will face Oregon State (5-3, 4-1) on Saturday at the Rose Bowl. The team is poised for a fight, a chance to turn its season around.
The Beavers enter having won five of their past six games, including a shocking defeat of No. 7 USC, and they are tied for first place in the Pac-10 with California and USC.
UCLA’s loss to Cal two weeks ago dropped the team to the lower tier of the conference standings, where it now stands in seventh place.
But UCLA players said they still believe there’s a lot at stake, especially this week.
“We have to finish strong,” junior cornerback Alterraun Verner said.
The Bruins have just four games left on their schedule and will have to win at least three to reach a bowl game.
To win this week, UCLA players and coaches said stopping Oregon State’s running backs will be crucial.
Oregon State’s star freshman tailback, Jacquizz Rodgers, leads the Pac-10 with 945 yards rushing. He has scored nine touchdowns and carried the ball more than any other player in the conference.
“He’s a terrific player, and obviously if you can slow him down you can put a little more pressure on their throwing game,” UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said. “If we can limit the running game, we increase our chances, no question.”
Walker said UCLA has devised a detailed game plan to stop Rodgers. UCLA defensive tackles Brigham Harwell and Brian Price will certainly be a central part of that plan.
The Bruins do not know which Oregon State quarterback they will have to defend; Beavers’ coach Mike Riley hasn’t announced a starter.
Junior Lyle Moevao has played at quarterback most of the season, but he injured his shoulder in Oregon State’s last game and was relieved by junior Sean Canfield.
“I’m not worried about that too much,” Verner said. “They’re still going to be the same team with the same running backs and the same offensive line blocking for them. And no matter who throws, the quarterback will be able to get it to the playmakers.”
The Bruins have not played since Oct. 25, and the bye week allowed the team to recover from injuries and sharpen its play.
“The bye weeks help,” junior wide receiver Terrence Austin said. “We got a lot of guys who have been nicked up. The bye week gives us a chance to heal and at the same time go over some stuff that we really need to fix.”
Neuheisel said that starting senior tailback Kahlil Bell looks fresher and that starting freshman left tackle Jeff Baca has returned from a hamstring injury and looks fine.
The Bruins will be without offensive linemen Scott Glicksberg and Micah Reed and defensive lineman Jess Ward, who were suspended for one game for violating Athletic Department rules.
Still, UCLA players said they see Saturday as a big opportunity ““ a game they can win and a day when they can find some momentum for the final month of their season.
“There’s a rumor going around that we could go to (a bowl game) in Hawaii,” Austin said. “I mean, it’s good stuff to look forward to.
“It’s definitely something to fight for.”
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