A LONG DAY FOR UCLA?

Byline: Jon Wilner Daily News Staff Writer

UCLA reserve free safety Glenn Thompkins did not play last week at Washington State, not one down. So earlier this week, secondary coach Marc Dove gave Thompkins a little pep talk.

``He wanted to make sure I wasn't discouraged,'' Thompkins said. ``It was tough not to be, but I'm backing up Shaun Williams, and he's going to be a first-round draft pick.''

Thompkins isn't worried about his playing time today, when UCLA faces No. 3 Tennessee at the Rose Bowl. Not only will he start, he may play the entire game. He's thankful for the opportunity, sick about the circumstances: the right ankle sprain that has sidelined Williams for at least one week, probably two.

``I'm playing for Shaun, not just for myself,'' Thompkins said. ``It (bleeps). People ask if there's any animosity because we play the same position. But it's like we're best friends. This is sad, to say the least. But Shaun will be in our hearts and prayers.''

Thompkins, 5-foot-8, is small and a half-step slow - seemingly overmatched against Tennessee's big, physical receivers. In that respect, he personifies UCLA's defensive dilemma. How can a unit that yielded 37 points and 529 yards to Washington State compete with the high-powered Volunteers? If it couldn't stop Ryan Leaf, how can it stop Peyton Manning?

``The defensive effort last week was not good at all,'' linebacker Danjuan Magee said. ``The talent we have didn't show up in our effort. The stuff we saw on film was embarrassing. I'm sure Tennessee saw that film.''

And the Volunteers, who defeated Texas Tech 52-17 last week, apparently were not impressed. When asked what problems UCLA presented, Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer mentioned quarterback Cade McNown, tailback Skip Hicks, the experienced offensive line, the receivers - but not a word about the defense. He then described UCLA defenders as ``a bunch of minnows in a bucket'' and said they were fundamentally unsound.

The Bruins don't mind their status as two-touchdown underdogs. Privately, they admit they deserve it after the WSU defeat. They also believe they'll play better, and more competitively, than most people think.

``I told them they have a lot of pride, and they've played in a lot of big games over the years,'' coach Bob Toledo said. ``I expect us to have a good performance. They respect Tennessee, and they usually play better when they respect people.''

Especially when the people are from Tennessee. The Bruins and Vols have met three times this decade, each game competitive: In 1991, UCLA lost to the No. 1 Vols in Knoxville 30-16. In 1994, the No. 14 Bruins beat the No. 13 Vols 25-23 in the Rose Bowl. UCLA trailed by a touchdown with five minutes left last year, before the No. 2 Vols pulled away 35-20.

Toledo's optimism is not based on history alone. His staff was volcanic throughout the week, beginning Tuesday afternoon with a verbal whipping of the defense. A few minutes later, defensive line coach Terry Tumey's voice bellowed across the practice field. Graduate assistant coach Tim Heffelfinger screamed at the scout team. Even receivers coach Ron Caragher, as close to a choir boy as the staff comes, hurled an invective or two.

``We're angry,'' Toledo explained. ``We turned it up a notch. We're not happy campers.''

Not all changes were psychological. Defensive coordinator Rocky Long has simplified the game plan - in part because of Williams' absence, in part because the inexperienced defensive backs had difficulty with formations against WSU.

Tumey, desperate to generate a pass rush from his sackless line, moved Jeff Ruckman from defensive end to nose guard to fortify the middle. End Darren Cline is out with an ankle sprain, but that may not be all bad. He made one tackle last week, and his absence clears more playing time for true freshman Kenyon Coleman, UCLA's most gifted lineman.

``The entire defense played poorly last week,'' Magee said. ``There were guys not hustling to the ball, making outlandish plays effort-wise. There was no chemistry.''

That is not true of UCLA's offense, which produced 466 yards and 34 points against Washington State and is confident it will move the ball today, as well.

Tennessee had the No. 1 defense in the Southeastern Conference last year (236.5 yards per game). Seven starters are back, all possessing good size and tremendous speed. If anything, the Vols are too aggressive, too eager to run down opponents from behind.

The Bruins hope their multiple formations and misdirection tactics (screen passes and play-action) catch the Volunteers in overpursuit. They hope McNown plays as well as he did in the second half at Washington State, and that Hicks continues his brilliant running. UCLA just may score 25 or 30 points, but will that be enough?