[Online Exclusive]: UCLA v. Oklahoma not just another game

Preparing one game at a time.

It’s the manner in which the UCLA football team has
approached the 2005 season, and the players are intent on not
abandoning it after only two games.

But though they’re practicing this week the same way they
have for their first two opponents, most Bruin players admit the
feeling is a little different with 18th-ranked Oklahoma coming to
the Rose Bowl on Saturday.

“To us, we prepare the same way,” said senior
quarterback Drew Olson, before pausing. “But we have to ante
it up a little bit. It is Oklahoma.”

And because it is Oklahoma (1-1), beating the Sooners would
provide the Bruins with what wins over lowly San Diego State and
Rice could not.

A UCLA victory on Saturday would be only coach Karl
Dorrell’s second over a ranked opponent, albeit a fading one,
since coming to Westwood.

A victory would mark the Bruins’ first 3-0 start to a
season in four years, giving the team sought-after momentum heading
into its conference schedule.

And a victory would bestow on the Bruins some long-awaited
national respect, most likely catapulting UCLA (2-0) into the
top-25 poll for the first time since the end of the 2002
season.

“It would be a change, but it’s what we’ve
wanted, to get some respect around the country,” Olson said.
“And we can definitely earn a lot of respect this
week.”

To do that, however, the Bruins will of course have to claim
victory over an Oklahoma team that thoroughly pounded UCLA two
years ago in Norman, Okla. 59-24.

“Guys remember that feeling, remember how much it
sucked,” Olson said. “But two years ago is two years
ago.”

In that game, a stingy Oklahoma defense stymied an inexperienced
Olson, while Sooner punt returner Antonio Perkins ran three punts
back for touchdowns, the shortest of which measured 65 yards.

This year, the cleat is on the other foot.

A much more-seasoned Olson comes into Saturday’s game
commanding the sixth-most prolific offense (53.5 points per game)
in Division I-A thus far this season, having gone two games without
throwing an interception.

Joining him are arguably the nation’s best punt returner
in Maurice Drew, who has run a punt return back for a touchdown in
each of the Bruins’ first two games and the nation’s
best tight end in Marcedes Lewis.

And while the Oklahoma name will be coming to the Rose Bowl on
Saturday, the national powerhouse that reached the NCAA title game
in each of the last two seasons will not be making the trip.

Despite their top-25 ranking and the likelihood that Heisman
Trophy candidate Adrian Peterson will not miss significant playing
time after a two-practice suspension this week for skipping class,
the Sooners come into Saturday’s contest against the Bruins
as seven-point underdogs.

After a shocking season-opening 17-10 loss to Texas Christian at
home, Oklahoma found itself in a dogfight again before its home
crowd with Conference USA doormat Tulsa before pulling away in the
fourth quarter.

In that game, Golden Hurricane tight end Garrett Mills recorded
game-highs in receptions (13) and receiving yards (152), which some
Bruins believe will shift much of the attention this Saturday onto
Lewis.

“When the defense focuses on (Lewis) like they will in
Oklahoma, it will open the run game so much more,” Drew
said.

Though Oklahoma’s offense features an inexperienced
quarterback in Rhett Bomar and a young crop of receivers, the
Sooners’ defense is still as stingy as its preceding
reputation.

Oklahoma has given up only 315 yards per game in its first two
games, possessing much more team speed and sheer tackling ability
than either of UCLA’s first two opponents, which according to
Olson, will require a brief adjustment period when he takes the
field on Saturday.

“We have to prepare for a much faster game,” Olson
said. “People will be moving a lot faster, and it’s
hard to get that speed in practice. I don’t expect to move
the ball so easily on this defense.”

But the Bruins are confident they can, confident that
they’re ready, confident that they’ll receive
Oklahoma’s best effort on Saturday, and confident
they’ll meet it with their own.

It may be just another game on the schedule, but it’s not
just another game.

“It’s a big game,” said Dorrell, saying later,
“(Oklahoma) is a different caliber team.”

NOTES: Maurice Drew, whose grandfather Maurice
Jones died of a heart attack he suffered last Saturday night at the
Rose Bowl during the Bruins’ game against Rice, will bear
“Jones-Drew” on the back of his No. 21 jersey for the
remainder of his time at UCLA. … Wesley Walker and Marcus
Everett, who both missed UCLA’s first two games, are
available to play and may see limited playing time this Saturday.
“¦ To help the victims of Hurricane Katrina via the UCLA
Foundation, contact the UCLA athletic department at (310)
794-3193.

With reports from Bryan Chu, Bruin Sports senior
staff.

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