BOHLANDER WON'T DUCK CHANCE TO PLAY AT HOME UCLA OFFENSIVE TACKLE EXPECTS COLD GREETING IN OREGON.

Byline: Billy Witz Staff Writer

The most anonymous place on the football field is the offensive line. But it won't be a refuge Saturday for UCLA offensive tackle Bryce Bohlander.

When 42,000 fans pack themselves into cozy Autzen Stadium, they won't have trouble picking out Bohlander. A native of Keizer, Ore., an hour north of Eugene, Bohlander was the state's top college prospect two years ago and all but a lock to attend Oregon.

When he surprised even his parents by choosing UCLA, the fallout was swift. As far as people in Oregon are concerned, he's just another reason to hate California. Come Saturday, his name might as well be Boo-lander.

``It'll be fun,'' a smiling Bohlander said of his return. ``It's going to be interesting. I'm sure I'll hear about it.''

Bohlander, a sophomore who has started five consecutive games at left tackle, has more than lived up to the hype that accompanied his high school career at McNary High in Keizer, a town of 35,000 adjacent to the state capital, Salem.

He was a Parade All-American, the consensus top offensive lineman on the West Coast, and SuperPrep rated him as the nation's No. 3 offensive line prospect.

There also wasn't much debate on where he'd go to school.

Oregon coach Mike Bellotti was in the Bohlanders' home at 8 a.m. on the first day coaches could pay home visits, and even UCLA's director of football operations, Randy Taylor, concedes he thought the Bruins were a long shot to land Bohlander, along with USC, Washington, Purdue and Michigan.

But a recruiting visit to UCLA in mid-January, less then three weeks before signing day, convinced Bohlander. Suddenly, he wanted to go away.

``I don't know if they took him to the Baywatch babes audition or what,'' Bellotti said. ``It was a huge disappointment. He was one of the best players in the state and obviously by starting as a true freshman, I think he's proved that he can play at this level. I think it was one of those deals where, unfortunately, we might have been too close to home.''

What would this quiet, studious kid who loves hunting and fishing find so appealing about Los Angeles?

``We were surprised,'' said John Bohlander, Bryce's father and a vice principal at McNary. ``He got excited when somebody tells him there's a catch-and-release trout stream by Magic Mountain.

``I think he was impressed with the setting of the school and the other thing that swayed him was when he went out with the players, he liked how they got along with one another. He was kind of looking at us like, 'Where would you like me to go?' We said, `We want you to go wherever you're comfortable.' We were pretty proud that he came up with his own decision. The easy out was going to Oregon. The sure bet would be to go to a place that's 60 miles away.''

Particularly, when that's what they're expecting.

Bohlander was getting the squeeze from his friends, from Oregon alumni and even relatives. His cousin, Don Essig, is the public-address announcer at Autzen Stadium.

``Through recruiting, he'd say how neat it would be to announce my name,'' said Bohlander, an economics major. ``I had friends who would say, 'Yeah, it sure would be nice for you to stay home.'

``There was also pressure because nobody ever leaves Oregon. There aren't a whole lot of Division I players in the state and there's the expectation that you're going to play for the Ducks or the Beavers. In my class, there were 10 or 12 guys and that's a big class. I felt a lot of pressure to stay.''

Of course, the real pressure came last year when Bohlander, who was expecting to redshirt, was told during fall camp that he'd play.

``That's a big step from playing in Salem, Oregon, to playing at the Rose Bowl,'' UCLA line coach Mark Weber said. ``Then in his second game, he's playing against Ohio State at the Horseshoe. It's a big step, emotionally and physically.''

Bohlander played as a reserve most of the season, but injuries pressed him into the starting lineup in season-ending games against Washington and USC. The only UCLA lineman to start more games as a first-year freshman is Jonathan Ogden, who would go on to win the Outland Trophy in 1995 and who is now the NFL's highest-paid lineman.

Bohlander, who is 6-foot-6 and 288 pounds, gained more than 20 pounds in the offseason and benefits by playing next to senior guard Oscar Cabrera, a captain and three-year starter.

``He's still young and makes his share of mistakes, but he plays hard, he's athletic and he has a good handle on the offense,'' Weber said. ``His best days are ahead of him.''

Including, he hopes, Saturday.

Bohlander returned home last season when UCLA played Oregon State, and it wasn't pleasant. The Bruins lost 55-7 and Bohlander took a verbal beating from hecklers during warmups and the game.

His parents will be among a group of 15-20 friends and relatives at the game Saturday, but there won't be too many others happy to see Bohlander.

``We've talked to him a little bit,'' John Bohlander said. ``I said, 'Bryce, you're probably not going to get a hero's welcome.' ''

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Photo: no caption (Bryce Bohlander)