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Sophomore quarterback Matt Moore gets set in the pocket during UCLA’s 20-13 win over Arizon

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Even though it may have been two years ago, the sting of defeat holds a long shelf life.

While the UCLA football team defeated Stanford last season, the Cardinal shocked the visiting Bruins in 2001, beating them 38-28 and snapping a 6-0 start that eventually led to UCLA’s disastrous 1-5 finish.

The Bruins come into this weekend facing a similar scenario to the 2001 game: They led the Pac-10 with their six-game winning streak then. Now, once again traveling to Palo Alto, they’re at the top once more – tied for first with Washington State – and riding a five-game winning streak.

Though this Cardinal team is a far cry from the nine-win team of 2001, the fear of a similar scenario has motivated the team to take Stanford seriously.

“We know that Stanford is a big game because two years ago we were just like this and they knocked us off,” running back Maurice Drew said. “So we got to do what we need to do for a victory.”

Sophomore quarterback Matt Moore is back for his second start of the season after recovering from his deep bone bruise.

Cornerback Matt Ware and defensive tackle Rodney Leisle are both out with high ankle sprains. The Bruins are also without Manuel White, who suffered a broken scapula last Saturday.

“You always have your injuries, and like any other team that you play, that is part of the game,” coach Karl Dorrell said. “But we have some other guys that had been playing and playing well when Manuel was absent.”

One of those was Drew, who ran for 180 yards against Arizona State. But despite the true freshman’s breakout game, Dorrell will start sophomore Tyler Ebell and give senior Akil Harris more playing time.

“It’s good that the coach is starting Tyler,” Drew said. “He has more experience. Hopefully I can just go out there create the same success I had last week.”

But even with Ebell and Drew filling in, the hole left by White will put more pressure on Moore. In his first game back last Saturday, Moore completed 14 of 28 passes for 190 yards but will need to show a better presence in the pocket, especially against Cardinal free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe, who currently leads the team in tackles with 44, has two interceptions and one touchdown.

Redshirt senior quarterback Chris Lewis will likely lead the Cardinal offense, replacing injured freshman Trent Edwards. Last weekend against Oregon, Lewis completed 12 of 26 passes and was intercepted three times. It’s unclear if Edwards will play, but he reportedly took repetitions in practice this week.

But against the Bruins’ top-ranked defense, either Cardinal quarterback might have problems, especially with senior defensive end Dave Ball leading the nation in sacks. Even without the stopping power of Leisle, the team feels ready. 

“We know they’re down, but that’s what makes them dangerous,” sophomore linebacker Justin London said. “We have to be sure that we play our game and take care of business, one game at a time.

“Our defense is a little banged up, but the way our defense is oriented, as long as we play with energy and passion, we will dominate. We just have to play team defense.”

Though the defense may be highly regarded, they have not had the same success on the road as they do in the Rose Bowl. The Bruins lost their first two road games at Colorado and Oklahoma and squeaked by with a win in Arizona.

“We went on the road for our first two games and lost,” Moore said. “So we have to play better out there. We’re not overlooking anybody.”

The game will start at 12:30 p.m. and will be broadcast by Fox Sports West.

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Sophomore tight end Keith Carter, who has been attempting to return from a hip injury suffered during an off-season motorcycle crash, has been ruled out for the rest of the season. He might need another surgical procedure.

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