By Scottie Bricker
Arizona Daily Wildcat
September 26, 1997

UA looks to end California drought

Despite tropical storm Nora soaking southern California, the Arizona football team is hoping to end their string of stormy road outings there this weekend.

The Wildcats travel to Pasadena tomorrow to take on the 25th-ranked UCLA Bruins, looking to end a six-game losing streak in games played in southern California.

Their recent struggles are even more interesting because 42 of the players on this year's roster are from California, 11 more than the number of recruits from Arizona.

"This game means a lot to those of us who have ties to that area," cornerback Chris McAlister said. "We all feel like we have a little something to prove."

Arizona has a greater task at hand than even the California natives may realize.

If the Wildcats are to have a shot at a conference title or bowl berth, this game is a must-win. A second conference loss this early in the season could eliminate any hope the Arizona has of playing in the postseason.

"I don't think we feel any kind of urgency but we understand how big this game is for us," quarterback Keith Smith said.

Not only are the Wildcats faced with the task of winning on the road for the first time in seven games, but they are pitted against a Bruin offense and defense that have had a bye week to fine tune their already-potent attack.

Two weeks ago against nationally ranked Texas, UCLA forced eight turnovers, recorded seven sacks and exploded for 66 points en route to an impressive nonconference road win.

The Bruins scored on their first six possessions, including five touchdowns and one field goal.

Arizona head coach Dick Tomey knows all to well what the UCLA offense is capable of when they are working at full steam.

"I think that their offensive line will be the best that we have played against," Tomey said. "(Quarterback Cade) McNown seems to be playing his best football since we have played against him. Their defense is all over the place and that makes it harder to be consistent against them."

Consistency is exactly what is lacking in the Wildcats' offense, which has been a modern day version of Jeckle and Hyde.

Last week against Ohio State, the Wildcats erupted for 20 fourth-quarter points after being shutout through the first three periods. The Wildcats gained more yardage than the Buckeyes but were unable to make anything significant out of those yards until the final period.

The Arizona defense, which has given up only 184 yards on the ground all season, will find their stiffest test in containing UCLA running back Skip Hicks, who has gained 366 yards and scored nine touchdowns in the Bruins' three games.

Arizona counters with a solid ground game of their own which ranks 21st in the country overall.

Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Arizona time in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. The game will be televised on Fox Sports Arizona.

Arizona at UCLA

(1-2, 0-1) (1-2, 0-1)

When: Tomorrow at 12:30 p.m.

Where: Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

TV/Radio: Televised live by Fox Sports and broadcast on KNST Radio (AM790).

What: Arizona has not beaten UCLA in the Rose Bowl since 1990 ... The last time the two teams met, the Wildcats won 35-17 sparked by the 100 yard kickoff return by Chris McAlister ... UCLA is coming off a bye week after its 66-3 win over then 11th-ranked Texas.