The UCLA football team wasn’t a very good loser last
season. After starting the year 6-0, the Bruins lost. And lost. And
lost. And lost, eventually finishing 7-4 and missing out on going
to a bowl game. This year, after dropping a 31-17 decision to
Colorado last week, UCLA (2-1) will look to avoid another such
streak by playing winless San Diego State (0-4), Saturday at
Qualcomm Stadium. “We got our asses kicked (against
Colorado),” senior defensive end Rusty Williams said.
“It sucks and it hurts, but we have leaders on this team that
aren’t going to let us go in the tank.” UCLA head coach
Bob Toledo makes a similar promise. “We need to bounce back,
and that’s what we’re going to do,” he said.
“We’ve got to stay positive.” What else can you
say? Things, apparently, have changed since last year. After losing
a star-studded group of 23 seniors, the Bruins are self-admittedly
no longer national championship contenders this season. “Last
year, our goal the whole time was to be undefeated,” senior
defensive end Rusty Williams said. “That’s not one of
our goals this year.” So to UCLA, the stumble against
Colorado is just one loss, not a season-killer. The Bruins plan on
sticking to the simple goal of working toward “winning the
upcoming game,” as Toledo said in his preseason press
conference. “We just want to go out there and win the up …
next coming … next upcoming game,” senior cornerback Ricky
Manning Jr. said, attempting a near-perfect imitation of his coach.
That shouldn’t be too difficult to do against San Diego
State, which lost by 10 points last week to Idaho.
“We’re improving every week, and that’s a
positive step for us right now,” Aztec head coach Tom Craft
said. “That’s our emphasis each week.” But, in
Toledo’s words, San Diego State is still a good football
team. Aztec quarterback Adam Hall is second in the nation in total
offense and threw for over 500 yards in each of the last two games.
The wide-open offense, which runs a lot of no-huddle and multiple
receiver formations, features wide receivers J.R. Tolver and Kassim
Osgood, the No. 1 and 3 receivers in the nation. “It’s
a spread ’em out, no-huddle, throw the ball 50-times-a-game
type of offense,” Toledo said. The Bruins counter with the
last-ranked defense in the Pac-10, but Craft seems to fear it.
“They have a big physical front, and they have great
speed,” he said. “We’re going to have quite a
hard time with them.” In any case, UCLA won’t be
looking past San Diego State. “They have nothing to
lose,” UCLA junior wide receiver Tab Perry said. “A
team that’s been losing is definitely more dangerous than a
team that’s been winning, so we can’t overlook
them.” At least that hasn’t been lost on UCLA.
Notes: The game will be broadcast on KSPN (1110 AM) instead of
KXTA (1150) because it conflicts with the Los Angeles Dodger game
… Saturday is “Marshall Faulk Bobblehead Day,” with
fans in attendance receiving the likeness of the former San Diego
State and current St. Louis Ram star. Ironically, Faulk sprained
his neck last week on NFL Monday Night Football … Redshirt
freshman walk-on linebacker Matt Chastain, a San Diego native, will
see his first career snaps on the kickoff team. “Like
Rudy,” said Toledo, referring to the former Notre Dame
walk-on whose story was told in an eponymous movie.
“He’s a fierce little competitor.” Chastain was
named Scout Team Player of the Week last week … Junior defensive
tackle Rodney Leisle is walking around with a protective boot after
suffering a stress fracture in his right foot two weeks ago, but he
will play … Redshirt freshman tight end Keith Carter will see
limited action, while junior linebacker Patrick Pierre-Louis will
remain out.