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By Jeff Kmiotek Daily Bruin Staff The Bruins will be a better football team in 2000 because, well, they have to be. Last season, football seemed almost secondary to scandals, suspensions, injuries and inexperience. Head coach Bob Toledo dealt with one disaster after another as his team piled on one loss after another. But while UCLA’s previous summer was filled with press releases, this summer has been busy with bench presses. Last year was about “wait ‘til next year,” while this year has just been about weight. As UCLA’s strength of schedule has greatly increased this season, so has the strength of its players. “We’ve got a good feeling about ourselves,” Toledo said. “Our attitude is really good.” Yet even with the Bruins’ newfound power, experience and positive outlook, the season may hinge on the success of the quarterback. And that is where we begin our 2000 season preview. OFFENSE Quarterback Sophomore Cory Paus, who started seven games last year, got the starting nod after out-dueling fellow sophomore Ryan McCann in practice. Paus struggled in his freshman campaign, but has the confidence and play-making ability to succeed. Also, his experience alone will make him a better quarterback. The key for Paus is to play mistake-free football, as UCLA’s talented skill positions will take care of the spectacular plays. Junior Scott McEwan is the third-string quarrterback. Tailback UCLA is loaded at tailback for the present and the future. DeShaun Foster is the present, with the moves of a pinball and the strength of a wrecking ball. His career has been dampened with injuries, but Foster feels good to go this season. His presence alone takes pressure off the quarterback, and his ability as a receiver makes him a double threat. Freshmen phenom Akil Harris and true freshman Manuel White will both see playing time this season behind back-up senior Jermaine Lewis, who provides a good change of pace in place of Foster. Wide Receivers Despite losing Danny Farmer, the Bruins possess one of the nation’s top receiving corps, led by Biletnikoff Award candidates Freddie Mitchell and Brian Poli-Dixon. Mitchell has gamebreaking ability and is in top form after a somewhat down year in 1999. Poli-Dixon, after missing the bulk of last season, looks ready to turn all his potential into results. After Mitchell and Poli-Dixon, there is a dropoff at receiver, mainly due to inexperience. Jon Dubravac, Jerry Owens and Drew Bennett will see a good amount of playing time, while true freshman Tab Perry has the opportunity to make a name for himself right away. The tight end spot is deep and filled with so much talent, any of the three candidates would be excellent choices to start. Gabe Crecion and Bryan Fletcher bring experience, great hands and strong blocking skills, while Mike Seidman’s raw talent made him the top high school tight end in the nation. Offensive Line The offensive line was one of UCLA’s biggest problems last season, but there is hope. All five starters have returned, stronger and more confident than ever. The line has a fair amount of experience, as guards Brian Polak and Oscar Cabrera will start for the third year. Polak, who has moved from tackle to guard, is one of the top linemen in the nation, and Cabrera, who is recovering from a sprained ankle, is a big force. Troy Danoff will play center and Mike Saffer and Bryce Bolander will take care of the tackle slots. The offensive line worked especially hard over the offseason to bulk up, with the starters alone gaining almost 100 pounds between them.

DEFENSE Defensive Line The defensive line is anchored by All-American candidate Kenyon Coleman, one of the most physically talented big men in the country. Coleman has been working on his leverage over the offseason, which is the key to having a monster season. Junior tackle Ken Kocher is an emerging defensive star, but a sprained ankle may keep him out of UCLA’s first game. If Kocher misses a game, back-up Steve Morgan may step into his place. UCLA’s solid front four is complete with Rusty Williams at end and either Rodney Leisle or Anthony Fletcher at tackle. Sean Phillips and Stephen Sua provide quality depth. Linebackers Junior Robert Thomas leads UCLA’s excellent linebacker crew, in which all three of last year’s starters return. He is instinctive and physical, and has worked to improve his pass rushing over the offseason. Senior Tony White provides leadership at outside linebacker and the highly regarded Ryan Nece will start his third season at outside linebacker. Marcus Reese will see plenty of playing time as he battles Nece for the starting position. The Bruins do have some depth problems at linebacker, as Santi Hall recently left the team. Asi Faoa will miss opening day due to a suspension, but will be a force later on. Secondary The secondary has taken most of the heat for the UCLA’s recent defensive struggles, but there is some optimism this year. Marques Anderson returns after missing a year due to a suspension, moving from corner to safety. Anderson is the most all-around athletic player in the secondary, but may need time to adjust to the complex nature of playing safety. Corner Jason Bell also comes back after sitting out almost the entire season. The other starting corner, Ricky Manning, is an exciting talent who may soon develop into a top-flight defender. The main question mark is at free safety, where fifth-year senior Jason Zdenek will start. Zdenek lacks game experience, but worked hard over the offseason to improve. SPECIAL TEAMS Kicker Chris Griffith, a former walk-on, was one of the few bright spots of last year’s team. He made 13 of 18 field goals, and if he improves his kicking trajectory, his numbers should increase. Punter Nate Fikse also had a solid year as a true freshman, finishing second in the conference in punt distance. True freshman Chris Kluwe might pose a challenge to Fikse for the punting duties. Kluwe is talented and with more consistancy, he will be a star kicker. Tab Perry will handle kickoff returns with Jermaine Lewis behind him. Ricky Manning will take care of punt returns.