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San Diego State coach Tom Craft points defensive lineman Martin Miller off the field after a scuf

Speed and power.

The ying and the yang.

Bonnie and Clyde.

Whatever combination is used to describe tailbacks Maurice Drew and Manuel White, it normally spells trouble for the opposition.

Although both backs have found gaps wide enough to drive an RV through, this Saturday’s game against San Diego State could be completely different.

Expect the one-two punch to see holes shrink before their eyes, a red zone congested with defenders and completed tackles.

For Drew, White and the rest of Bruin offense, facing the Dark Side defense, as the Aztecs (2-1) like to call themselves, will gauge how effective their West Coast offense really is.

“I think we are worried about the game right here,” Drew said. “It’s one of the toughest defenses we’re going to face this year, and up to this point, it’s the toughest we have faced.

“We just have to go out there and attack them.”

Nothing will be taken for granted. The Aztec defense is one of the top-ranked units in the nation.

In 2003, the Aztecs blanketed opponents. The 17 touchdowns they gave up was best in the nation along with LSU, while the less than 290 total yards per game they gave up ranked eighth.

In the early going this season, things have largely remained the same. In their last three games, Aztec opponents scored an average of 14 points fewer than they did in their previous two games.

Ever-durable Aztec senior linebacker Kirk Morrison, who has started 32 consecutive contests, has been an integral part in his team’s success. Thus far in the season, the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Morrison has made his presence felt, collecting 27 tackles, which is tied with his teammate junior linebacker Matt McCoy for the most tackles made on the team.

Touted as one of the premier defenders in the country, Morrison, who was named the 2003 Mountain West Conference defensive player of the year, has harped on how the success of the defense is able to be attributed to a collective effort.

“We just want to win and do all it takes. We don’t play it as an individual battle, we go out as a team,” Morrison said. “We have our work cut out for us this week. They’ll be ready for us and hopefully we’ll play error-free football and create turnovers.”

Though San Diego State coach Tom Craft considers UCLA “one of the most improved teams in the Pac-10,” his team’s defense has the weapons to slow the Bruins down.

Along with veterans Morrison and McCoy, senior cornerback Hubert Caliste and junior defensive back Marcus Demps should provide some stability in the secondary as they try to frustrate the Bruin receivers.

Still, the numbers alarmingly favor UCLA.

The Bruins are averaging over 34 points per contest. UCLA enters Saturday’s game ranked fifth in the country in rushing, averaging 296 yards per game, and 10th in total offense with 490 yards offense per outing.

“Tough challenge, real tough,” Craft said. “We have to stop the run, there’s no question about that. In most games that is the first thing you have to do. If you don’t, it’s going to be a long afternoon.”

In all likelihood, the Bruins will continue to give San Diego State a healthy dosage of Drew and White. However, if the Bruin running backs or receivers don’t protect the football, the Aztecs are expected to pounce on every opportunity.

The Aztecs are ranked third nationally in interceptions with eight and 13th in forced turnovers with 10.

If the Aztec defense has anything to say about it, don’t expect the Bruin offense to stroll into the end zone Saturday without feeling the wrath of the Dark Side.