UCLA is driven by 'Big O.'

Sporting News, The, Dec 18, 1995 by B.G. Brooks

UCFA rediscovered its running game in 1995, and with all due respect to Karim Abdul-Jabbar, nobody had no more to do with it than Jonathan Ogden. The Bruins and Abdul-Jabbar knew if they followed "Big O," the running game would be productive.

How productive? UCLA averaged 208 yards rushing per game - its highest total since 1986 and the second-highest average in the Pacific 10 Conference. The Bruins made big chunks behind Ogden, a 6-foot-81/2, 310-pound senior who is the best left tackle in college football.

"He steers them where he wants to go, like a car," says former offensive line coach Ed Kezirian, now a UCLA administrator.

When the gifted Abdul-Jabbar suffered a sprained right ankle on the first play at Washington in Week 10, the Bruins were stripped of a back who averaged 142 yards per game. But UCLA's offense still had Ogden and, even minus Abdul-Jabbar, the Bruins rushed for 216 yards against Southern California in a 24-20 victory. The bad news for Kansas: Abdul-Jabbar will be back for the Aloha Bowl.

Ogden, a likely top Eve NFL draft pick, "is better than Tony Boselli," says Billy Devaney, the Chargers' director of player personnel. Boselli, formerly of USC, was selected by Jacksonville with the second overall pick in the draft last year.

If Kansas is to pressure UCLA quarterback Cade McNown, the Jayhawks' strategy will be directed away from Ogden. A starter since midway through his freshman season, Ogden has not allowed a sack this season in an offense that has attempted 288 passes.

"He's got those long arms; I don't think there's a way to pass-rush him," former Cal coach Keith Gilbertson says. "He's what you call a mismatch player."

KEY MATCHUP

UCLA's so-so rushing defense faces the challenge of slowing the Kansas running game, which boasts one of the nation's most dangerous one-two punches: June Henley (158 carries, 766 yards, eight TDs) and L.T. Levine (156 carries, 841 yards, eight TDs).

Kansas has scored 21 rushing touchdowns and averaged 207 yards rushing per game. UCLA which depends on the speed of outside linebacker Abdul Mc-Cullough, has allowed 12 rushing TDs and 142 yards rushing per game (sixth in the Pac-10).

McCullough led UCLA with 96 tackles - 35 more than anyone else. The Bruins will need his tenacity and mobility; Pac-10 teams don't see running games as dominant as the Jayhawks can be.

UCLA can't forget about Henley and Levine in the passing game, either. They combined for 51 catches.

WHAT IT MEANS

One last victory? Both coaches might be coaching the final game at their schools. Speculation is rampant about the future of Terry Donahue, whose 20-year record at UCLA is 151-73-8. Donahue, 51, is mulling a career as a network analyst

Meanwhile, Kansas observers say Glen Mason (42-47-1, eight seasons) realizes this season's 9-2 finish will be difficult to duplicate and it's time to move. Mason, 45, has even been linked to the UCLA job, should it open, as well as the Rutgers opening.

STRANGE, BUT TRUE

UCLA is 10-8-1 in bowl games and Donahue has participated all 10 victories - one as a player, one as an assistant coach and eight as a

Donahue's bowl percentage (.708, 8-3-1) is second-highest in NCAA history among coaches with 11 appearances, and he is just one of two coaches (Florida State's Bobby Bowden is the other) to win eight consecutive postseason games.

SKULL SESSION

Much of the credit for Kansas' breakthrough season (a three-way tie for second in the Big Eight with Kansas State and Colorado) can be attributed to the play of senior quarterback Mark Williams.

A backup last year to Asheiki Preston, Williams proved to be the missing component in an offense that was effective rushing the past several seasons but lacked balance. Williams completed 61 percent of his passes (174 of 282) for 1,957 yards and 14 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions. He also ran for 239 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

If UCLA is to control the Kansas offense, it must first deal with the nifty Williams, who was involved in 11 of the Jayhawks' 29 plays that covered 25 or more yards.