For UCLA head coach Bob Toledo, the 2002 season was lining up to be a tough year.
First his leading rusher from last season, DeShaun Foster, graduated to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Then his star defensive back, Ricky Manning Jr., posted a $60,000 bond in late August for one count of felony assault stemming from a bar fight in April.
Finally, last season’s starting quarterback for most of the season, Cory Paus, was placed on probation after a misdemeanor conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol — his second offense in two years.
Things weren’t exactly looking rosy for Toledo and the Bruins.
But now, at 4-1 overall (1-0 Pacific-10 Conference) and ranked 25th in the nation, UCLA is smelling better than ever.
“We’ve been disrespected and counted out by a lot of people this year,” UCLA offensive guard Eyoseph Efseaff told the Daily Bruin. “We want a ring this year, and we’re going to fight our butts off to get it.”

Faced with a daunting 14-0 deficit early on against Oregon State last week, the Bruins rallied with 29 consecutive points to pull ahead for a 43-35 victory. The win not only represented the Bruins’ ability to answer with a high-octane offense — as Paus showed with 378 yards passing — but also the maturity to defeat a quality opponent, as the Beavers were expected to fight for the Pac-10 Championship.
With the win, UCLA has seemingly cemented the possibility of playing a postseason bowl, whether it be in Las Vegas or Los Angeles.
With those expectations come the clichéd target on the uniform. Like the Ducks, the Bruins are recognized as one of the Pac-10’s best, but unlike Oregon, UCLA will have to continue its winning ways with a young running game.
With sophomore and incumbent starter Manuel White listed as doubtful against the Ducks due to a hamstring injury, redshirt freshman Tyler Ebell has been penciled in as the starting runner. He responded last week filling in for White, accumulating 203 yards on 29 carries, including a 73-yard dash that ended in a tackle at the Beaver one-yard line.
“(Ebell) hasn’t got a lot of reps in practice, yet he got his opportunity and played very well,” Toledo told the Los Angeles Times.
Paus has been equally impressive, especially considering the negativity that followed his life off the field last season. So far this season he has completed 82 passes in 138 attempts for seven touchdowns and just three interceptions. In UCLA’s four victories, the senior has averaged 253 yards in the air. In the Bruins’ only loss, a 31-17 setback to Colorado, Paus was 21-for-35 but threw for just 189 yards.
He has clearly been a key to UCLA’s resurgence this season.
With three more touchdown throws, Paus will move into third place on the school’s all-time list, passing former star Troy Aikman. He is already second in passing yardage on the school’s all-time list and needs just 29 more completions to move into the top spot.
But for Paus to get the yardage and the completions, he needs talented receivers. He has found one in one of the last places you’d look.
Tight end Mike Seidman, considered one of the most talented ends in the Pac-10, has stepped up lately. He already leads the Bruins with 21 receptions and 365 yards, but cemented his reputation with eight receptions and 138 yards against Oregon State.
“A lot of tight ends think the only way to get recognized is to catch passes,” Toledo said. “Mike Seidman will get his chance at the NFL even if he doesn’t make another catch because he is an excellent blocker. He’s one of the best tight ends in the country.”
On the other side of the ball, the Bruins have an injury and a suspension that will decimate the Pac-10’s seventh-ranked defense.
Junior defensive tackle Rodney Leisle suffered a stress fracture against the Beavers and will not play against the Ducks. Junior Mat Ball will also be kept off the field — albeit just for the first half — after serving a mandatory half-game suspension for attempting to punch an Oregon State player.
“We have to do a better job of keeping our poise,” Toledo said. “Football is an emotional game, but there is a line you can’t cross.”
Despite the losses, the Bruins possess a fast defense, anchored by Manning. The group has grabbed nine interceptions and has forced opposing quarterbacks to the ground for 12 sacks.
That defense will be tested this weekend, though, as the aforementioned losses will break up a defensive line that has started all five games. The Bruins have seen just 12 different players start on defense this season.
On both sides of the ball, the Bruins are banged up and bruised. That’s not much different than last season, when UCLA lost to Oregon, 21-20, at the Rose Bowl.
“They’re hitting us at a good time again,” Toledo said.