Bruins won't look past Notre Dame

One of the obstacles for Notre Dame in its quest to win a game is the highlighter factor.

When opposing teams single out the critical games in an upcoming season, they always draw some shade of neon line through Notre Dame's name.

Let's look at today's Fighting Irish opponent, UCLA.

The Bruins are a good team, a preseason top-15 pick and a squad packed with playmakers. But they have a long history of letdowns, most recently three weeks ago against Utah, when they were embarrassed 44-6.

Notre Dame likely needs a drop-off from its opponent to end its much-publicized losing streak.

So is UCLA ripe to get upset? Not quite, according to Bruins senior wide receiver Brandon Breazell.

"When I saw our schedule, I was like, 'Man, I can't wait for that game,' " Breazell said. "We should have beat their team, no doubt."

Breazell was referring to last year's game at Notre Dame Stadium, which UCLA lost 20-17 despite outplaying the Irish most of the way.

The Bruins sacked Brady Quinn five times and limited the powerful ND offense. But in the final minute, defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker inexplicably stopped blitzing, and Quinn found Jeff Samardzija for the game-winning 45-yard touchdown with 27 seconds left.

"I was blocking, but at the same time I was kind of sitting there and watching it all unfold," ND tight end John Carlson recalled. "(David) Grimes and Samardzija made phenomenal plays to get us the win. Hopefully this week it doesn't come down to a last-minute drive."

Really? Wouldn't they crave a close game at this point?

The Irish haven't led in the second half this season, and they haven't been closer than 7 points in the fourth quarter.

Last week's game at Purdue marked the first time Notre Dame had a legitimate chance down the stretch.

"It's a 60-minute game," coach Charlie Weis said, "and we have to go about working at staying in it for that long."

To keep pace with UCLA, the Irish must prevent big plays from quarterback Ben Olson and his receivers. Split end Joe Cowan's 18.1-yards-per-catch average ranks first among Pac-10 players with at least 10 receptions.

Breazell, who is UCLA's top receiver with 22 receptions, leads the league in average yards per catch (18) among players with at least 11 receptions. He has a pair of 49-yard catches and a 69-yard TD grab.

Offensive coordinator Jay Norvell, who came to UCLA from Nebraska, has expanded the Bruins' playbook.

"The coaches have more confidence in our playmakers this year," Breazell said. "We've always been a big-play offense. We just never got the opportunity. Now we're starting to get more opportunities."

Irish freshman Jimmy Clausen is expected to start at quarterback after looking "completely normal" at Wednesday's practice. Clausen suffered a hip injury against Purdue and was replaced by junior Evan Sharpley, who passed for 208 yards in a quarter and a half.

Weis likely will maintain a more aggressive playcalling approach after the team's second-half success at Purdue. UCLA has owned the fourth quarter this season, outscoring opponents 72-45, but it has trailed at halftime in two of the last three games and was tied in the other.

A fast start might be far-fetched for Notre Dame, which has been outscored 101-21 in the first half so far.

"I'm trying to find another method to start the game better," Weis said.

Sending freshman wideout Golden Tate on a fly pattern might be a good opener. Tate showcased his breakaway speed with receptions of 43, 36 and 25 yards at Purdue. The Bruins are vulnerable to big plays, ranking 100th in pass defense (272.6 ypg).

A slow start could lead to Notre Dame's eighth straight loss, tying the team's longest losing streak, set in 1960.

"I don't think they're worrying about history," Weis said of his players. "They're just trying to get one win, trying to beat UCLA."

Notre Dame (0-5) at UCLA (4-1)

When: 7 p.m. at the Rose Bowl

TV: Channel 7 Radio: WLS 890-AM Series: Notre Dame leads 3-0

Coaches: Charlie Weis (19-11, third year at Notre Dame and overall); Karl Dorrell (33-22, fifth year at UCLA and overall).

Players to watch: Notre Dame running back James Aldridge has the starter's tag but was held to 9 yards on five carries at Purdue. Irish tackle Trevor Laws averages 8.2 tackles a game, tops among defensive linemen in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

With running back Chris Markey (turf toe) questionable, UCLA junior Kahlil Bell will take the bulk of the carries. Bell leads the Bruins in both rushing yards (522) and touchdowns (4). Bruce Davis is their top pass rusher (3.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss) and anchors the 16th-ranked rushing defense (88.8 ypg).

The skinny: Will this be the day for Notre Dame's long-awaited breakthrough? It had better be, since the Fighting Irish host Top 10 teams (Boston College and USC) the next two weeks. But UCLA is hardly a pushover. Take away a puzzling 44-6 loss to Utah and the Bruins have averaged 39 points per game. Notre Dame makes its first trip to the Rose Bowl since Jan. 1, 1925, when it beat Stanford in the Rose Bowl game.