For Arizona, it wasn't a matter of win or lose. It had nothing to do with beating UCLA. It wasn't even a matter of earning a shot at a winning record.

For Arizona, it was all about "pride."

"The really sharp turnaround just came from (UA coach Dick) Tomey drilling us. We had to win this game," UA freshman quarterback Keith Smith said. "The whole week it was 'pride, pride, pride,' whatever it takes."

Most of the UA players will say it was pride more than anything that allowed them to defeat UCLA 35-17 Saturday in front of 49,000 Homecoming game fans at Arizona Stadium. For the Wildcats (5-5 overall, 3-4 in the Pacific 10 Conference), a team whose defense had sparked a national nickname for its ability to swarm the football, giving up 105 points in the last two weeks and suffering an embarrassing 49-31 loss to Oregon meant the time to make a stand was now.

"We used this game to find ourselves," UA cornerback Kelly Malveaux said. "In the past couple of weeks it was the offense that stepped up. We had to make a change, make it happen."

The Wildcats used the same combination of things that led to their success in previous years: defense, special teams and a solid running game.

"Everyone was excited. Everyone was pumped up," UA linebacker Chester Burnett said. "We were making plays left and right. That's how we should have been doing things all season. We were dictating things."

Arizona's defense punished the Bruin running game, sacked UCLA quarterback Cade McNown five times, caused three turnovers and either scored points or set up scoring opportunities.

"They kicked our butts," UCLA head coach Bob Toledo said. "It was a comedy of errors. We were obviously outplayed by Arizona players."

Arizona trailed 14-7 at halftime before one play changed the momentum. UCLA (4-6, 3-4) was at its own 23-yard line when McNown threw an out pattern. Malveaux stepped in front of it and ran it back for the touchdown.

Several drives later, the Wildcats faced a fourth down and two at the UCLA 36-yard line. Arizona went for it, and Smith found tight end Mike Metzler streaking downfield for the touchdown.

"It wasn't even designed to go to him," Smith said. "I just spotted him and was able to get it off."

After a UCLA field goal, cornerback and return man Chris McAlister tookensuing kickoff 100 yards for the score. His return broke the school record of 98 yards, set by Wallace Smith in 1935.

At the end of the game, the UA players' thoughts immediately turned to playing rival Arizona State.

"We defended our pride this week," Burnett said. "Now it's time to get ASU."

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