Monday, 8/4/97 UCLA ready for upcoming season FOOTBALL:
Returning players bring experience to team, look ahead to
challenging 1997 schedule
By Tim Yun and Steve Kim Daily Bruin Contributors After
successfully completing his rookie campaign, head coach Bob Toledo
enters the 1997 season hoping to avoid a Sophomore Slump. "It’s
hard for me to believe that I am already starting my second year, "
UCLA football head coach Bob Toledo said. "I think that I feel a
little bit more comfortable the second time around in that I know
what to expect from my players and coaching staff." The Bruins will
use their 1996 season as a learning experience as they look forward
to a tough 1997 schedule. "Last year we were very inconsistent, but
this year we will look to change that." Toledo said. "We are a much
bigger, stronger, faster, and best conditioned team that we have
ever had." The Bruins will return nine starters on offense and
seven starters on defense. Senior tailback Skip Hicks will be the
focal point of the offense. The Bruins hope that he will have
another big season. Last season he rushed for over 1000 yards and
set a new school record for points scored (126). He is the top
returning scorer in the nation. In the pocket, junior quarterback
Cade McNown will use his experience to help round out the Bruin air
attack. With twenty career starts. he is the most experienced
quarterback in the Pac-10. "I think that Cade is more comfortable
with the offense and we also plan to take advantage of his
tremendous athleticism." Toledo said. One the defensive side, the
Bruins will be lead by Safety Shaun Williams. The defensive
backfield of the Bruins will certainly have their hands full as
they will face heisman-trophy candidates Peyton Manning, James
Brown and Brock Huard. "I know that we will play some of the top
quarterbacks not only in the pac-10, but in the nation." Williams
said. "I feel that if you are challenged by the best, you play your
best and I look forward to playing." . . . The Pac-10 Conference
has two new head football coaches in Cal and Oregon State. UCLA
will be playing both teams this season. Before the conference
games, UCLA will face Tennessee at home on September 6 and play
away at Texas on September 13. Not on the Bruins’ schedule is
Arizona State. The Sun Devils has had a fantastic year with and
undefeated conference standing and championship, along with a trip
to the Rose Bowl. Here are UCLA’s Pac-10 opponents and their
outlook: The first conference game, after the non-conference games
against Tennessee and Texas, will be played in the Rose Bowl
against the Arizona Wildcats on September 27. Arizona offers
experience in both head coach and players. Now in his 11th year as
the head coach of Arizona, and 21st year as a head coach, Dick
Tomey certainly contributes his share of experience. Sixteen of 24
Wildcat starters from last year are returning this year, including
defensive tackle Joe Salave’a, and leading returning Pac-10 tackler
Chester Burnett. Arizona seeks to improve its offensive efficiency
and give the Bruins a run for their money. In ’96, the Oregon Ducks
had an inconsistent season, with three initial wins, five following
losses, and wins on their final three games. Oregon only has four
returning starters on its offensive side and five returning on its
disappointingly performed defense. Some of the talented returners
are senior tailback Saladin McCullough and senior flanker Damon
Griffin. After guiding his team to the ’96 Cotton Bowl, head coach
Mike Bellotti looks to keep the Ducks quacking loud and proud.
Oregon will host UCLA on October 11. The Bruins host the Oregon
State Beavers at the Rose Bowl on October 18. Oregon State attempts
to revitalize its football program with new head coach Mike Riley.
As the successful former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks
coach at USC, Riley brings much needed experience and strategy to
Oregon State. Riley’s "transition" offense including his "best
athlete," quarterback Tim Alexander, is part of his new program
which only time can tell of its success or failure. Cal’s outlook
is uncertain as Tom Holmoe replaces former head coach Steve
Mariucci after Mariucci left for the San Francisco 49ers. Two head
coaches in two years leaves the Cal football program extremely
questionable. Wide receiver Bobby Shaw, last year’s Pac-10 leader
in receptions and receiving yardage, will return as a senior this
year. However, with the loss of quarterback Pat Barnes to
graduation and tight end Tony Gonzales and offensive tackle Tarik
Glenn to the NFL, the Golden Bears faces a tough challenge as they
come down to Bruin territory on October 25. After struggling with a
2-5 start last year, Stanford came back strong with five
consecutive wins by the end of the season. Having coached the
Cardinals for only two years, head coach Tyrone Willingham led his
team to two bowl games. Also in the Cardinals’ favor, then
inexperienced quarterback Chad Hutchinson is expected to improve
tremendously this year. Number two Stanford will host UCLA on the
first of November. Bruins will travel away to face the Washington
Huskies on November 15 at the Rose Bowl. Under head coach Jim
Lambright, Washington has been picked number one for this year’s
performance predictions by several sources. With seven returning
offense and eight defense starters, including Jason Chorak, ’96
Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, the huskies poses serious
threat to any team. UCLA’s last game of the regular season is
capped by crosstown rival USC. After having lost to the Bruins five
years straight, the Trojans had no luck at their sixth shot in ’96.
After a season with an inexperienced squad, the Trojans hope to
make an impact this year with its seasoned offensive line. However,
they admit that their defense needs some rebuilding. The showdown
between the two Southern California football powerhouses will take
place at USC’s Colesium on November 22. GENEVIEVE LIANG/Daily Bruin
UCLA football coach Bob Toledo speaks at the Pac-10 Conference
media day. Behind him is senior Shaun Williams. Previous Daily
Bruin Story: Pac-10 coaches welcome Rose Bowl agreement