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Cal (4-3, 1-2 Pac-10) vs. UCLA (4-2, 1-1 Pac-10)

Jared Green
Saturday October 19, 2002

When Cal has the ball 

 

The ground game 

The Bruins haven’t been very good at stopping the run, giving up more than 155 yards per game. Cal desperately needs to establish its running game to take pressure off of quarterback Kyle Boller, who has seen increasing heat as the season has worn on. UCLA is much slower than last week’s opponent, USC, so tailback Joe Igber’s jitterbug style should be more effective. Backup Terrell Williams is finally 100 percent and provides a nice contrast with his slashing style. 

 

In the trenches 

Defensive end Dave Ball is the only Bruin with more than two sacks, but UCLA gets good pressure up front from a range of players. Tackle Steve Morgan is a load at 313 pounds, but the defensive line is thin, so the Bears may be able to wear them down and get some big plays late in the game. Cal is healthy up front for the first time in a month, so some improvement should be expected. 

 

Taking to the air 

UCLA has two outstanding cornerbacks in Ricky Manning and Matt Ware. Both have the size and speed to cover any receiver, so it will be key for Boller to get through his reads and find second and third options. UCLA’s linebackers are undersized but speedy and should be able to cover the short zones effectively. If Geoff McArthur is still hobbled by a hamstring injury, the Bears may have trouble getting LaShaun Ward and Jonathon Makonnen open. 

 

When UCLA has the ball 

 

The ground game 

Freshman Tyler Ebell has been a terror as the starter for the last two weeks, rushing for 322 yards. Akil Harris and Manuel White have also started this season, so it’s clear the Bruins have some depth there. The Cal linebackers must step up and make sure tackles in front of the secondary, while the defensive line will have to stop the run before rushing the passer. If the Ebell can duplicate USC back Sultan McCullough’s effort last week, the Bears will be in trouble. 

 

In the trenches 

UCLA’s offensive line is big and effective, but they have allowed 15 sacks this season. The Bears will finally have a stationary target at quarterback, as UCLA’s Cory Paus is the least-mobile quarterback in the Pac-10. Cal’s Tully Banta-Cain could have a field day if he is allowed to tee off on Paus, so look for the Bruins to try and establish the running game early to keep the Bears on their heels. 

 

Taking to the air 

The Bears face yet another set of big, fast wide receivers in Craig Bragg and Tab Perry. Both 6-foot-2, they are virtually interchangeable, although Bragg has better numbers so far this season. Bragg broke out with 230 yards and three touchdowns last week against Oregon, so Paus will probably be looking his way a lot this week. Cal may put Nnamdi Asomugha at cornerback to match up with the UCLA receivers, which will weaken the Bears’ run support.