BRUINS CLICK ON OFFENSE DIVERSIFIED ATTACK VS. BEAVERS HELPS DORRELL QUIET CRITICS.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

During the offensively dysfunctional first season of coach Karl Dorrell's tenure at UCLA, plenty of folks opined about the offense being installed.

The complaints were with an offensive system, built on a short passing game, being too complex to run in college, and the detractors pointed toward the low number of college teams running a similar offense.

Now, with Dorrell's No. 8-ranked Bruins sitting at 7-0, it's interesting how severe the case of laryngitis those once-vocal critics developed in the past few months.

UCLA's 51-28 pasting of Oregon State left the same questions remaining about the Bruins' defensive ability, but was the latest example of the vision Dorrell had when he brought this Denver Broncos-based version of the West Coast offense to Westwood.

``Knock on wood, but you're seeing it the way it's supposed to be right now,'' UCLA offensive coordinator Tom Cable said. ``A lot of guys are getting touches and we're able to handle all the pressure. (Oregon State) went crazy with the blitz, particularly in the first half. Then we're able to get the ball short, we're able to get it deep, throw it in between. Yeah, that's how you want to do it.''

Dorrell's first season was wrought with failure and confusion under former offensive coordinator Steve Axman.

Although Cable, in his second season, and Dorrell made some adjustments to the offense, the theory remains the same, and the production improved dramatically.

With the knowledge of how to operate the offense entrenched in the players' minds - particularly quarterback Drew Olson's - the only question remaining is just how explosive this offense can be?

UCLA topped the 40-point mark for the sixth time this season against the Beavers, and is fifth in the country in scoring at 44.4 points per game.

It is operating with efficiency, on multiple levels, and in dominating fashion. UCLA scored on 49 (40 touchdowns) of its 96 possessions this season, and has 24 scoring drives of at least 64 yards. The Bruins also scored on 32 of its 34 chances inside the red zone, once taking a knee and against the Beavers running on fourth down later in the fourth quarter rather than attempting a field goal.

Olson, who is proof the offense can be learned in at least two years, is the fifth-rated passer in the country (166.54 rating). His 21 touchdown passes are tied for second nationally, compared to three interceptions.

His passing targets are all over the field, be it tight end Marcedes Lewis (34 catches, 6 touchdowns), tailback Maurice Drew (17 catches, 4 touchdowns) or receivers Marcus Everett (19 catches, one touchdown), Brandon Breazell (17 catches, 2 touchdowns) or Joe Cowan (20 catches, one touchdown).

In fact, Olson completed passes to 15 receivers this season, and 10 have a touchdown catch.

Meanwhile, the running game is fine. Drew is fourth in the nation at 185.6 all-purpose yards per game, is averaging 86.4 rushing yards per game, and has scored nine rushing touchdowns.

``I think (the success is) because we're having consistency now, and running the football helps a lot,'' Cable said. ``And then you have guys who are simply running great routes and a quarterback who is making great decisions. That's the bottom line. Everybody's doing their part.''

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com

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REPORT CARD: No. 8 UCLA 51, Oregon State 28