It Was Nearly a Grand Game for Offenses

PULLMAN, Wash. — It was a day for the numbers crunchers--and not for devotees of defense--when UCLA and Washington State combined for 997 total yards in the Cougars’ 37-34 victory on Saturday.

The record-book searches began when Skip Hicks ran 92 yards to the Washington State two-yard line on the game’s second play. It was the second-longest run from scrimmage in UCLA history, a yard behind that of Chuck Cheshire--the first Bruin to be drafted by an NFL team--in 1934 against Montana.

Hicks finished with 190 yards--15 more than he had ever had in a game--in 27 carries, and he scored four touchdowns for the third time in his career, tying the UCLA record.

Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf was 17 for 30 for 381 yards. The yardage was a personal best for him and the seventh-best in school history. Nian Taylor caught 200 yards of passes, fifth-best in Cougar history.

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UCLA’s defense, normally a blitzing, gambling scheme, played things a bit conservatively after the first quarter when it became apparent that the Bruins were going to struggle in trying to get to Leaf.

Instead of sending extra rushers, UCLA opted to use an extra defensive back--freshman Damian Allen--giving the Bruins six.

It wasn’t enough.

“There were enough balls to go around,” receiver Shawn McWashington said. “Ryan Leaf was spreading the ball around excellent. There were times last year, after a win, that you might be able to find a receiver that would frown, but now everybody is so happy and so upbeat.”

Leaf completed passes to seven receivers.

UCLA’s Cade McNown, who completed 19 of 34 passes for 257 yards and a touchdown, found 10 receivers. Jim McElroy caught five passes for 104 yards, including a 50-yarder in the third quarter.

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Washington State came into the game worried about UCLA’s varied and unpredictable blitzing scheme, and after it was over, the Cougars proudly pointed to one specific statistic: no sacks allowed.

Though Leaf got hit hard enough to send him out of the game for a series--and would have gotten sacked a few times if he wasn’t so big and hard to bring down in the pocket--the Washington State offensive linemen mostly kept the lanes clear for Leaf and the passing game.

The key, Cougar Coach Mike Price said, was moving senior Lee Harrison, who was making his first career start, into the lineup at center, replacing Cory Withrow, who moved over to right guard.

“What we did was come up with our five smartest linemen, because it was not the biggest guys or the strongest guys,” Price said. “We needed to have the five smartest guys so we could get a handle on each guy.

“Lee Harrison is probably the smartest guy on the team. He’s a senior and he knows the offense and makes those line calls.”’

Said Leaf: “First start ever, and I am really, really proud of him. I had the most confidence in them. I don’t think they gave up a sack today.”

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When Washington State’s Kevin McKenzie was hammered by freshman Marques Anderson, fumbling the opening kickoff of the second half to UCLA’s Duval Hicks, it was a Long Beach collision. McKenzie went to Long Beach Wilson High and Anderson to Long Beach Poly.

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The last time UCLA lost a season-opener to a Pacific 10 team was in 1993, when the Bruins were beaten, 27-25, by California. . . . UCLA’s Chris Sailer, a punter for two seasons, missed his first college field goal try, from 46 yards. . . . Both teams avoided serious injuries.