To beat UCLA, it figures that BYU will have to run the ball better than it did against Florida State.
Coach LaVell Edwards - along with most of the civilized world - knows that rushing is not his team's forte. "We've got to get better at running the football if we are going to have a chance to beat some of these big-name teams," he said after the Florida State loss.Except for two draw plays where fullback Peter Tuipulotu scampered through gaping holes as the Seminole defenders thought pass, the Cougars didn't run well at all.
With that in mind, Edwards had Tuipulotu practice at halfback for today's 8 p.m. (MDT) game against the Bruins in the Rose Bowl. It looks like a good move, considering that the first- and second-string halfbacks, Scott Charlton and Eric Mortensen, are, respectively, a converted fullback who still runs like a fullback, and a true halfback with a history of knee problems. Between them, the two seniors have carried the ball exactly 116 times in their careers.
Detmer hinted late this week that the change may mean more running plays. "He (Tuipulotu) is a great runner, and we may run the ball a little bit more with him at halfback."
The quarterback warned, however, that major changes are not in the works. "We'll still be the same team," he said, "just with different people in there at different times."
Whether BYU can run against the Bruin defense could be a key to this game, though. UCLA gave up an average of 197 rushing yards per game last season, and while they are expected to be better in that department this time around, it's still figures to be the weaker part of their game.
In a lot of ways, UCLA's defense is similar to Florida State's - with a fair defensive line and unremarkable outside linebackers, but strong inside linebackers and an excellent secondary. Still, Detmer has shown throughout his career that he can pass the ball against any secondary, if given time by his offensive line and open receivers. Against FSU it sometimes seemed that he had sufficient time, but nobody to throw to.
"We were trying to adjust our routes, and some of our guys had never played a varsity game before," Detmer said. "We were just going through the motions, just trying to do things right.
"Now everyone knows what's expected in a game situation. We can go out and attack it more and be more aggressive."
BYU made at least one change in its passing attack this week, moving freshman tight end Itula Mili onto the first unit. Mili, who started the season with the third team, replaces junior Byron Rex, who had three catches against FSU but sometimes seemed - based on the reactions of Detmer and the coaches - to not be where he was supposed to be.
Edwards said the change was made because there has been little difference in the play of Rex and Mili, and to give Mili some experience before WAC play begins.
At wide receiver, Micah Matsuzaki is listed as probable for the game, after suffering a hamstring pull against the Seminoles. And Eric Drage has moved to first team on the depth chart, ahead of Bryce Doman.
The defensive key for BYU is likely to be line play. Like FSU, UCLA has a big, experienced offensive line that realizes it need only protect quarterback Tommy Maddox for the offense to roll. The Cougar line was largely ineffective against the Seminoles, registering no sacks as quarterback Casey Weldon completed 21 of 28 passes.
That kind of performance against the Bruins could mean a record-setting passing day for Maddox.
Junior tackle Brad Hunter is doubtful this week due to a knee injury, and will likely be replaced by freshman Randy Brock. The only other defender considered questionable is outside linebacker Jared Leavitt, with an ankle problem.
On offense, UCLA is a lot like BYU, with a talented QB, one proven running back, inexperienced receivers and a strong line.
The quarterback, of course, is Maddox, another in the line of gifted throwers from Texas. A 6-4, 195-pounder from Bedford, Texas, Maddox has the confidence of his coach and teammates.
"You don't usually want to get into a throwing contest with the Heisman Trophy winner, but that is what we do best," said UCLA coach Terry Donahue. "He (Maddox) possessess all the qualities of a great quarterback - size, field presence and arm strength. We plan on building our attack around Tommy."
The proven running back is Kevin Smith, a jumbo 6-foot-4, 256-pounder who is bigger than any of the Cougar linebackers.
The most experienced receiver is Sean LaChapelle, a 6-4 split end who caught 39 passes last season and could cause match-up problems for the 6-foot-and-under Cougar defensive backs.
One area considered a potential problem for the Bruins is the kicking game. Courtney Keyler is a competent punter, but UCLA doesn't have a single player who has placekicked in a varsity game.
No matter what happens, though, Detmer promises that the Cougars will perform better this time.
"We learned a lot from that first game," he said. "We looked better in practice this week; we got the jitters out and everybody's a little more relaxed, having fun playing."