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Wednesday, October 30, 1996

FOOTBALL:

Despite poor statistics, UCLA played great game on Saturday By Brent Boyd

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

Kind of funny that in a game where the defense surrendered 514 yards of total offense and allowed the opposing quarterback to break the school's passing record with 435 yards, that the defensive squad would be highly praised by the coaching staff. But, that's the case this week in the wake of UCLA's 38-29 victory over California Saturday.

"I think the defense performed very well," defensive coordinator Rocky Long said. "We were playing a safe defense at the end when they got a lot of those yards."

Indeed. Cal gained 166 yards (151 of those through the air) on its final two drives, after UCLA had already gone into its prevent defense, holding on to a 38-21 lead.

Whereas on paper it seemed as if the Bruin defense gave up incredible numbers, they were actually putting up incredible numbers.

Seven times the defense sacked Cal quarterback Pat Barnes, who had only been sacked nine times all season. They allowed Barnes to complete less than half of his passes. They held the then-No. 3 rusher in the Pac 10, Brandon Willis, to only 64 yards on 17 carries. The entire running game only gained 79 yards.

Of particular note on defense, according to the coaching staff, was cornerback Andy Colbert, who was awarded defensive player of the game honors by the coaching staff.

Colbert, who started in place of the injured Paul Guidry, had by far his best performance of the year. He made five tackles, intercepted a pass, broke up three others and forced a fumble.

"He played very well," head coach Bob Toledo said. "He really did a nice job and he gave us some leadership out on the field."

* * *

Other player of the week honors went to Greg Andrasick on the special teams and Skip Hicks on offense.

The coaching staff praised Andrasick for continually kicking the ball deep on kickoffs and making a tackle on one return. Hicks gained 249 yards of total offense and scored four touchdowns, his second four-touchdown game of the season.

* * *

After throwing for an incredible amount of yards and losing, Pat Barnes should not feel alone. In fact, it is becoming an ever present trend in the Pac-10.

Thus far into the season, four times a Pac-10 quarterback has thrown for over 390 yards (including Cade McNown's 395 against Arizona State) and all four have lost.

Conversely, the top four rushing performances in conference games (including Hicks' 175 against Oregon) have all resulted in wins.

* * *

Prospects are looking good for a Bruin bowl berth ­ that is of course, if you believe in trends.

UCLA continued its trend on Saturday of staying undefeated against teams unranked by the Associated Press, but winless against those that are ranked.

Of the Bruins' final four opponents (Stanford, Washington State, Arizona and USC), none are currently ranked.

* * *

The game time for the Nov. 9 matchup with Washington State at the Rose Bowl has been determined.

It will begin at 12:30 p.m. to accommodate ABC-TV and a regional television audience.

FRED HE/for The Bruin

Andy Colbert was named UCLA defensive player of the game.