It's common knowledge that UCLA stands for the University of California at Los Angeles, but this year it could have a whole new meaning ÷ Underclassmen giving Large Aid.

The Bruins (6-3, 3-2) have had several different players step in and contribute in only their first couple years in Westwood.

Of the 22 players listed as projected offensive and defensive starters, half are either freshmen or sophomores and many of those underclassmen are the players making the most noise.

The most notable of the Bruin newcomers is freshman running back Tyler Ebell.

Ebell is listed at 5-foot-9 and only 170 pounds, which is small for a big time college back, but so far Ebell has played bigger than his size.

"I expected that he'd be a guy that would make some plays in the open field," UCLA head coach Bob Toledo said. "But what he's done is proven to me that he can run between the tackles."

Ebell, a native of Ventura, Calif., saw his first considerable action on Oct. 8 against Oregon State when he ran for 209 yards on 29 carries, and has been consistent ever since. He has rushed for more than 100 yards in the last five Bruin games öö the first freshman in UCLA history to do so.

Last week, Ebell also set the school's freshman rushing record öö eclipsing Eric Ball's previous freshman record of 703 yards in a season ÷ when he brought his year total to 734. Ebell now needs only 266 yards to become only the third freshman in Pacific 10 Conference history to pass the 1,000-yard mark.

Of all the impressive numbers that Ebell has put up this season, the most impressive could be his 39-carry performance against Stanford, when he proved that even with his small stature, he can still take a lot of hits.

"He's a tough little guy," Toledo said. "He's always making positive yards, and it takes a good hit to bring him down."

Ebell is currently third in the Pac-10 in rushing yards, behind only Oregon's Onterrio Smith and Oregon State's Steven Jackson.

Ebell's production doesn't stop at running back. He also returns punts for the Bruins. He is third in the conference in return average with 11.6 yards per return.

Another true freshman who has come in and made a huge impact for the Bruins is quarterback Drew Olson.

Olson was forced into action three weeks ago against Cal when senior quarterback Cory Paus went down with a fractured right ankle; however, when Olson went in, he wasn't lacking game experience.

Toledo gave Olson a few opportunities earlier in the season to get game experience, and now it is paying off.

Over the course of the season, Olson is 22-of-42 for 293 yards and, most importantly, has yet to throw an interception.

"I'm not concerned with (our backup quarterbacks) winning the game for us," Toledo said. "We will make some plays. We just can't have them beat us."

The offense isn't the only side of the ball getting big contributions from a freshman starter.

Freshman linebacker Spencer Havner has made some big plays this year for the Bruins defense.

He is second on the Bruins in interceptions with three, but has returned two of those picks for touchdowns and both of them played key roles in securing Bruin wins.

"He runs all over the field; he is very athletic," said Toledo.

Havner is second on the UCLA defense in total tackles with 69, first in solo tackles (48), first in pass break-ups, and second in tackles for a loss (8).

The Bruins are getting many quality individual efforts, which have equaled wins for UCLA, and now they are only one win away from becoming bowl-eligible.

"(UCLA) has the best athletes in the Pac-10, without a doubt," Arizona head coach John Mackovic said.

The Bruins are getting a great deal of production out of many players.

On defense, junior Dave Ball ÷ who has had a sack in seven-straight games ÷ is currently third in the Pac-10 in sacks with 10, and senior Ricky Manning is third in the conference in interceptions with 4.

Junior Tab Perry leads the offense with 115 all-purpose yards per game, including 23.8 yards per kickoff return.

UCLA is tied for fourth in the Pac-10 and could play in any of the Pac-10 bowls, depending on how it finishes its final three games.

After Arizona, the Bruins will face two of the top teams in the Pac-10 when they play both Southern California and Washington State. Both of their final two games are at home in the Rose Bowl.