UCLA presents big opportunity for Cowboys

Friday, Sept. 13, 2002 | 6:13 a.m.

STILLWATER, Okla. AP) - For Oklahoma State, UCLA presents a big-name opponent and an even bigger opportunity.

The Cowboys would love to be 3-1 at the end of their nonconference schedule, but to do that they will first need to beat No. 23 UCLA on Saturday night. They put themselves in a pickle by blowing an 18-point third-quarter lead in their opener against Louisiana Tech.

A victory over the Bruins also would give Oklahoma State (1 (1)- something it has long needed - the confidence that it can beat better teams.

"If we win this game, it'll just let us know we can play with anybody," receiver T.D. Bryant said. "From Los Angeles to Texas, we can play with anybody.

"We'll get some recognition if we beat them."

It will take some doing. The Bruins 1 (0)- opened their season with a 30-19 victory over Colorado State last week, a game that moved UCLA into the Top 25. The Bruins trailed 13-7 before rallying with 23 fourth-quarter points.

"We will face a team that is as talented as any team we will face this year," coach Les Miles said.

The Bruins, Miles said, are athletic and fast across the board, particularly on defense. One of their top players is cornerback Ricky Manning, who will spend at least part of the night defending Rashaun Woods in what may be the game's most interesting subplot.

At 5-9, Manning gives up five inches to Woods, who has 19 catches through the first two games. But Manning has great speed and is a punishing tackler - he caused a fumble that was a turning point against Colorado State.

"There is a real possibility at times, depending on their formations, that he will be matched up against Rashaun," UCLA coach Bob Toledo said. "Ricky doesn't have the size that Woods has, but he is a fierce competitor."

Toledo said his team played very well on defense, especially considering it was the opening game, and he liked the Bruins' poise. He was not happy with the execution on offense, something he said must improve this week.

Oklahoma State has plenty of room for improvement as well. The Cowboys had a sluggish first half before rolling over Northern Iowa 45-10 last week. They finished with 10 penalties, including one that negated a punt return for a touchdown.

While the Cowboys are trying to make a dent on the national landscape, UCLA is trying to return there. The Bruins, who at one point won 20 straight games under Toledo, are just 17-17 the past three years.

"I look at it as we won five games three years ago, six games two years ago and seven games last year, so we made progress," Toledo said. "We lost three games by a total of like 17 points last year, and lost to the eventual (Pac 10) champions Oregon by one point."

Miles said he can only judge the Bruins by what he has seen on the field.

"They're a very talented team, a team that can play in spurts as good as anyone in the country," he said. "We're going to have to be prepared and playing at a higher level of intensity and higher level of competency to play these guys and win."