NATIONAL CHAMPS.NET
Coach: Bob Toledo
29-17, 4 years
58-53, 9 years overall
1999 Record: 4-7
Sep 04 Boise State Won 38-7
Sep 11 @Ohio State Lost 20-42
Sep 18 Fresno State Won 35-21
Sep 25 @Stanford Lost 32-42
Oct 02 @Arizona State Lost 27-28
Oct 09 Oregon Won 34-29
Oct 16 California Lost 0-17
Oct 23 @Oregon State Lost 7-55
Oct 30 Arizona Lost 7-33
Nov 13 Washington Won 23-20
Nov 20 @Southern Cal Lost 7-17
1999 Final Rankings
AP-NR,  BCS-NR,  Coaches-NR
2000 Outlook

Questions have surfaced in LA concerning coach Bob Toledo's disappointing 4-7 record last year, just one year removed from the 1998 season that saw the Bruins miss the National Championship by just one game. Of major importance will be the task of locating a starting quarterback instead of a rotation. It would most likely be in the Bruin's best interest that sophmore Cory Paus rise up and take control of the position. Staying healthy would also be a huge team breakthrough after last year's mishaps that sidelined numerous personnel. The only problem that may hold down the Bruins this year is a brutal beginning schedule. If UCLA does not build a better run defense, some serious trouble may be in order early as Alabama and Michigan make visits to Pasadena in the first three games. UCLA will have to scrap hard in September in order to salvage a bowl invitation. There is considerable talent, depth, and experience on this team and a finish in the top half of the Pac Ten should be in order.
Projected Record: 7-5

UCLA 2000 Schedule
UCLA
*POWER RATINGS
Offense
Defense
QB - 2 DL - 3.5
RB - 2.5 LB - 4
WR - 3 DB - 2
OL - 3.5  

 


UCLA BRUINS
2000 FOOTBALL PREVIEW



2000 OFFENSE
Some of the best players on the Bruin offense will be players coming back from injury limited 1999 seasons and they are RB DeShaun Foster, WR Freddie Mitchell and WR Brian Poli-Dixon. As a true freshman in 1998, DeShaun led the Bruins in rushing. He was on his way to another big year last season when he was injured in the fourth game. He only got five carries in his next five games. Directing the offense at QB will be a battle during the fall between sophmore's Cory Paus and Ryan McCann and both will most likely see playing time. Both gained starting experience in 1999 while totaling 13 interceptions with Paus getting the bulk of the snaps and finishing as the starter. McCann is recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. The Bruins have lost one of the best receivers in school history in Danny Farmer. Leading the way for 2000 is junior Freddie Mitchell. One of the most exciting performers on the West Coast, he was the Bruins' leading receiver in 1999, making 38 catches for 533 yards. The offensive line, which paved the way for a non-existent ground game last season that averaged a mere 2.9 yards per carry, was full of injuries. Now, with alot of playing time behind them, the Bruin OL should be a positive force this season as 5 of 6 starters return.
OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
QB Cory Paus 6-2 209 So. Ryan McCann 6-4 218 So.
RB DeShaun Foster 6-1 210 Jr. Jermaine Lewis 5-7 174 Sr.
FB Matt Stanley 6-3 242 Jr.   Chris Jackson 6-3 261 So.
WR Brian Poli-Dixon 6-5 211 Jr.   Jon Dubravac 6-4 213 Jr.
WR Freddie Mitchell 6-0 183 Jr.   Paul Nelson 6-2 199 So.
T Bryce Bohlander 6-6 272 So.   Josh Webb 6-6 295 Sr.
G Oscar Cabrera 6-4 303 Sr.   Shane Lehmann 6-5 282 Fr.
C Troy Danoff 6-4 294 Jr.   Steve Sanchez 6-4 291 Fr.
G Brian Polak 6-4 330 Sr.   Blake Worley 6-6 302 So.
T Mike Saffer 6-5 304 So.   Micah Webb 6-6 290 Sr.
TE Gabe Crecion 6-5 241 Sr.   Bryan Fletcher 6-5 230 Jr.
K Chris Griffith 6-2 193 So.   Nate Fikse 5-9 183 So.
Returning starters in bold.

Key Losses: Keith Brown-RB, Durell Price-FB, Danny Farmer-WR,
Brad Melsby-WR

2000 DEFENSE

The UCLA defense has not exactly impressed fans over the last few years but this season the line should be one of the better fronts in the league. Probably the best defensive player is Kenyon Coleman, who was an all-conference selection in '99 and joining him at the other end will be 11 game starter Rusty Williams. A lack of experience and depth won't be an excuse for 2000 because both exist. The linebackers should be another position of strength as all three starters from a year ago are back with experience. Junior Robert Thomas is the anchor of the unit at middle linebacker. Thomas was the nation's top prep linebacker in 1997 and he will be flanked on the outside by solid gamers Tony White and Ryan Nece. All three finished as the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th leading tacklers last year. In the secondary, some new changes have taken place. Most of the players battling for starting spots on the depth charts sat out 1999 due to numerous problems and injuries. Ricky Manning was inconsistent as a freshman, but his talent was evident as he eventually will become a four year starter. The two safety positions are wide open. Look for the superb kick returner and future bright star Lovell Houston to win one of the spots.

DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART
DE Kenyon Coleman 6-6 278 Sr. Sean Phillips 6-5 295 So.
DT Rodney Leisle 6-4 293 Fr. Anthony Fletcher 6-4 292 Jr.
DT Ken Kocher 6-4 311 Jr.   Steve Morgan 6-3 285 So.
DE Rusty Williams 6-4 259 So.   Stephen Sua 6-2 267 Jr.
OLB Tony White 6-1 247 Sr.   Santi Hall 6-2 252 Jr.
MLB Robert Thomas 6-2 239 Jr.   Tony White 6-1 247 Sr.
OLB Ryan Nece 6-2 224 Jr.   Marcus Reese 6-2 208 So.
CB Jason Bell 6-0 182 Sr.   Julius Williams 6-0 186 Jr.
CB Ricky Manning, Jr. 5-9 178 So.   Joe Hunter 5-11 169 So.
SS Marques Anderson 6-0 206 Jr.   Kevin Brant 5-11 191 Fr.
FS Jason Zdenek 6-0 190 Sr.   Lovell Houston 6-1 183 So.
P Nate Fikse 5-9 183 So.          
Returning starters in bold.

Key Losses: Joey Strycula-DB, Eric Whitfield-DB, Pete Holland-DT,
Ryan Roques-DB, Ali Abdul Azziz-LB