New Coaches, New Problems

UCLA knows the drill.

Collect videotape from far-flung schools that may or may not be particularly friendly to the Bruin cause.

Ohio State is the third consecutive opponent with a new head coach or coordinators.

Coach Jim Tressel spent the last 15 years at Youngstown State and Buckeye defensive coordinator Mark Dantonio coached defensive backs at Michigan State the last six years.

So Bruin coaches scared up tape by contacting recent opponents of those two schools.

The knowledge of UCLA quarterback coach John Pearce was also tapped.

From 1992-98, he was head coach at Stephen F. Austin, which played Youngstown State several times.

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UCLA practices have been closed for weeks, but in a display of school spirit the Bruin band stormed through the gate at Spaulding Field, ran onto the field carrying their instruments and surrounded the team.

The band played five songs and several players danced along, including Kenyon Coleman and Devon Reese.

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UCLA is urging fans to arrive at the Rose Bowl early because security measures might slow entrance into the stadium.

Gates will open two hours before kickoff, a half hour earlier than usual.

The FAA will not allow any flights over the Rose Bowl during the game, a UCLA spokesman said.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

When UCLA has the ball--Ohio State will blitz frequently, especially with safeties Mike Doss and Donnie Nickey, and UCLA must respond better than it did against Kansas, which twice forced fumbles from quarterback Cory Paus. The Bruins have been tackled for losses 15 times, including five sacks. The Buckeyes’ strength is linebackers Matt Wilhelm, Courtland Bullard and Joe Cooper, who must try to slow tailback DeShaun Foster. Paus, only 18 for 38, is overdue for a strong game. He might be able to prey on Buckeye cornerbacks Cie Grant and Derek Ross, who both made their first career starts in the opener against Akron.

When Ohio State has the ball--UCLA must employ good tackling technique because Ohio State’s ballcarriers are big and strong. At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, quarterback Steve Bellisari is difficult to sack and loves to run. Tailback Jonathan Wells weighs 230. Bellissari will throw to two big loads--255-pound fullback Jamar Martin and 265-pound tight end Darnell Sanders.

Key to the game--UCLA’s ability to match up against the larger Buckeyes. Bruin Coach Bob Toledo is sensitive to implications that Ohio State is more physical than his team. “We’ve got some big, tough guys too,” he said. Opening holes for Foster won’t be as easy as it was against Kansas, but will be essential to a productive offense.

Fast Fact--Toledo is 4-1 in home openers, losing only in 1997 to No. 3 Tennessee.

Line--UCLA by 61/2.

The pick--Ohio State has no serious offensive threat and UCLA should win provided its defense plays as well as it did in the victories over Alabama and Kansas. Paus doesn’t need to have a breakout game, but he must avoid turnovers and let Foster do the rest. Edge: UCLA.

Series--Ohio State leads, 4-3-1.