October 28, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

Chance to repeat history

by Rick Eymer

Trivia question of the day: name Stanford's last football win against a top 10 team.

Hint: the same teams meet at the same place on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. under similar circumstances.

The year was 2001, and it was played during Halloween weekend. Can history repeat itself? Stanford (3-1, 4-2), which hosts eighth-ranked UCLA (4-0, 7-0) this weekend, certainly hopes it can recreate visions of Halloween weekends past.

"It's really exciting to be in the position that we're in, but at the same time it's a game that we just have to treat like every other game by playing better and doing the best we can," Stanford senior nose tackle Babatunde Oshinowo said. "We're not in a position where we can think about any game being different than another one, or thinking about down the road, or what's happened in the past. All we can think about is playing the next game and improving as a team."

A refresher course: UCLA entered the 2001 game unbeaten at 3-0, 6-0 and ranked fourth in the country; Stanford was 3-1, 5-1. The Bruins had beaten Stanford the previous year, ruining what should have been a bowl season.

The Bruins also came to Stanford with the nation's top running back in DeShaun Foster. This year, UCLA brings Maurice Drew, who rushed for 205 yards in the Bruins' 21-0 victory (it was Trent Edwards' first game back from injury) over Stanford last year.

"You really can't look at last year, because at that point in our season we were really struggling and not doing things well," Stanford wide receiver Mark Bradford said. "It's a whole different situation right now."

The same weekend in 2001, the Stanford men's water polo team hosted and beat defending NCAA champions UCLA, and both the men's and women's cross country teams raced to Pac-10 titles.

Guess who's coming to Avery Aquatic Center on Saturday, and what the cross country teams will be doing? Eerie coincidence or alien conspiracy?

OK, back to our regularly scheduled program:

"We've come off the clouds and settled back to earth," Stanford coach Walt Harris said. "We gave ourselves 24 hours to enjoy the victory over Arizona State, and now it's time to get ready for a UCLA football team that is undefeated and obviously very talented. We know it's going to be a real battle; they have some very fine football players and an excellent scheme that puts a lot of pressure on you."

Just the fact Saturday's game against the Bruins is a big deal is a big deal for Stanford. The Cardinal turned the corner with last week's win over Arizona State. This week could lead to the yellow brick road.

"I think we've come really far in terms of the team coming together and being on the same page, especially the offense," Bradford said. "We're just starting to mature right now, but there are still a lot of things we can do better by just executing and being able to go out there and do the things we want to do."

One of the elements to watch on Saturday is how often Oshinowo and his teammates along the defensive line can stuff Drew at the line of scrimmage and force the Bruins into passing situations.

"Their numbers are outstanding. It's amazing the success that they've had this season so far," Oshinowo said. "When you go into a game like this, you do your best to prepare for everything they've got. We have to do a really good job preparing. They have a great offense. It will be a tremendous challenge for us."

NOTES: Since beating the Bruins in 2001, Stanford has lost seven straight, three at home, against top 10 teams . . . UCLA is fifth in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 44.43 points a game . . . Edwards has a passing efficiency of 146.05, up from 133.51 after last week's game, and far superior to his 110.71 rating last year . . . Stanford ranks eighth in the nation in turnover margin (plus 1.17) and hasn't committed a turnover the past three games, all wins.

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