COLLEGE FOOTBALL: UCLA NOTEBOOK: SEARCHING FOR OPTIONS AGAINST RICE OFFENSE.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

Rice will rotate quarterbacks and employ a fullback and two running backs in many of its formations in its diverse option offense. UCLA, which had one of the worst defenses in the country last season, allowed 156 yards rushing in its season opener.

So, even as the Bruins prepare for their home opener Saturday at the Rose Bowl as nearly four-touchdown favorites against the Owls, there is much concern about stopping the nation's top rushing attack from 2004.

``This is, by far, the biggest challenge we have defensively, getting our guys ready to play against a totally foreign attack, against a team that runs the ball as good as anybody in the country,'' UCLA defensive coordinator Larry Kerr said. ``They are good. I don't care if anybody out here knows who Rice is. If they want to see good option football, come see Rice. They're good.''

The Owls averaged 306.5 rushing yards per game last season, but 1,000-yard rusher Ed Bailey is gone. Experienced quarterback Joel Armstrong, who ran for 608 yards, splits time with freshman Chase Clement, but there is another element to Rice's attack UCLA is worried about.

Rice's weekly news release states ``the Owls have added more shotgun formations to the package in 2005.'' Since this is the Owls' opener, UCLA has no film to gauge what the Houston-based school will run out of such formations.

``It's assignment football,'' Kerr said. ``There's always going to be someone assigned to the dive, two guys on the quarterback, generally speaking, and then you have the pitch. You're going to have every phase of the option covered, but you're looking at a little different varieties, a lot of different formations, and they'll run some power stuff, too.''

--Receiving line: Although Brandon Breazell and Andrew Baumgartner were the only two Bruins receivers to make catches against San Diego State, coach Karl Dorrell said he wasn't concerned with a lack of production, despite Joe Cowan dropping a ball at the goal line and Junior Taylor going without a reception.

``It wasn't a big throwing-opportunity game for us, so I don't want to make that a big deal,'' Dorrell said. ``We're going to throw it normally between 25 and 30 times a game. We do spread the ball out to those wide receivers. I don't see any issue right now.''

The receiving corps could get a boost this week. Sophomore Marcus Everett (shoulder separation) will begin practicing today and could return against the Owls.

--Injury report: Backup quarterback Ben Olson (broken hand), hoping to see action against Rice, will try to take snaps this week in practice.

``We're not sure,'' Dorrell said. ``He feels good. His hand feels better. It's whatever he can tolerate. He's going to be able to have to take a snap.'' ...

Strong safety Chris Horton (wrist) is targeting the Pacific-10 opener Oct. 1 against Washington for his return. Defensive tackle Kevin Brown's return from ankle surgery this season is uncertain.

``That's going to be at least another four or five weeks,'' Dorrell said. ``He wants to play, so I'm not going say (redshirting) is definitely what he's going to do.''

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com