COULD THE BRUINS BE RUNNING ON EMPTY?

Byline: Jon Wilner Daily News Staff Writer

Maybe they haven't done it with mirrors, but look hard enough and you begin to see a faint reflection.

By any measure, the UCLA Bruins have one of the most potent and sophisticated offenses in the land. They're third in scoring (46.6 points) and seventh in yards (497) per game. Their system, their quarterback and their offensive line are as good as they get.

But the gaudy numbers and the personnel do not equate, at least not this week. Not without big-play receiver Freddie Mitchell (broken leg). Not without big-play tailback DeShaun Foster (sprained knee). Not with kicker Chris Sailer hobbling on a strained groin.

And not with a receiver corps that's one body from skeletal entering today's game at California. One starter, Danny Farmer, practiced sparingly this week because of sore hamstrings. The other, Brian Poli-Dixon, spent most of the week nursing a sprained toe and aching wrist. The top reserve, Brad Melsby, is struggling to regain form after missing two years with injury and illness.

``I was thinking the same thing,'' center Shawn Stuart said. ``You look at all those (injuries), and we're still scoring points. Guys have gone down, and the output is still there.

``I think it goes back to coaching. Teams do things to stop us for a couple drives, and we re-route. We say, `Hey, this isn't working. Let's adjust.' ''

The No. 2 Bruins are so depleted they'll use walk-on Mark Reynosa as their third tailback today, placing added pressure on oft-injured starter Keith Brown and reserve Jermaine Lewis, two weeks removed from a suspension.

They're so depleted reserve quarterback Drew Bennett may play receiver today, based on his participation in the final seconds against Oregon. The 6-5 Bennett is one of UCLA's best athletes, with speed, great hands and a 38-inch vertical.

They're so depleted walk-on Ryan Wilkins made the trip as a sixth receiver. His spot on the 60-man travel team usually goes to a ninth defensive lineman. Wilkins has played in two games and has one catch.

``I don't have too many people to look to,'' quarterback Cade McNown said.

UCLA's timing could not be worse. Cal (4-2, 2-1) has the Pac-10's best defense, allowing 18.7 points and 321.8 yards. The Bears are aggressive, fast and opportunistic (17 takeaways), and they'll try to prevent UCLA from taking its usual routes to the end zone - via the ground and long passes.

Like Oregon, the Bears probably will stack the line and dare UCLA to run the ball five-against-nine. They'll play tight man-to-man against the Bruins' receivers, challenging Farmer's bad hamstrings and Poli-Dixon's bad toe.

If so, the Bruins must recognize, then counterpunch. Their best bet is diversity - throwing to the fullbacks, Durell Price and Craig Walendy, and to the tight ends, Mike Grieb and Ryan Neufeld.

``Cal has a really good defense,'' Stuart said. ``They have a good enough defense to stop us. We have to adjust and find things that are working.''

In contrast to previous weeks, UCLA probably won't need 40 points to survive. If form holds, 20 or 25 should do. The Bears are last in the Pac-10 in scoring, rushing yards and total yards. Their offense has scored just nine touchdowns - same as Lewis. For all the accolades paid UCLA's offense, the outcome may hinge on the Bruins keeping Cal out of the end zone.

What the numbers cannot predict, of course, is psychology. The Bruins expect Cal's best shot, just as they expect everyone's best shot. Such is the burden of a 15-game winning streak and No. 2 ranking.

``I feel like the cowboy in the black suit with the pearl-handled guns,'' Bruins coach Bob Toledo said. ``Everybody wants to knock you off.''

But after emotional games against Arizona and Oregon in recent weeks, is the tank empty? Regardless of the point spread - the Bruins are a two-touchdown favorite - this is not the time to refuel. Cal can squash their Fiesta Bowl hopes as surely as Arizona or Oregon. In addition, victory gives Cal the tiebreaker advantage in the Rose Bowl formula.

``If we lose the game, Cal's in the driver's seat if they win the rest of their games, because they beat us,'' Toledo said. ``I've tried to emphasize there are things in life you don't get many shots at. We've positioned ourselves to play for the national championship. We can't stub our toe.''

Especially after breaking a leg and spraining a knee and straining a groin.

No. 2 UCLA (5-0, 3-0) vs. CALIFORNIA (4-2, 2-1)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium (capacity: 75,028)

TV/Radio: Channel 7; XTRA-AM (1150).

Series: UCLA leads 44-23-1 and has won three straight, but Cal has won three of the last four in Berkeley. Last year, Skip Hicks rushed for 113 yards as UCLA won handily at the Rose Bowl 35-17.

Injury update: For UCLA, tailback DeShaun Foster (knee) and linebacker Mike Wiley (ankle) are out. Linebacker Ramogi Huma (hip) is questionable. Receiver Brian Poli-Dixon (toe, wrist) will play.

Keep an eye on: UCLA kicker/punter Chris Sailer. Can he perform his duties (i.e., pressure field goal) with a strained groin?. . . . Cal tailback Marcus Fields, averaging 57 yards per game. He ran well against the Bruins last year. . . . UCLA fullback Durell Price and tight end Mike Grieb, both quietly capable of making big plays. . . . Cal receiver Dameane Douglas, one of the best in the Pac-10. . . . UCLA strong safety Jason Stephens, who's making his first career start at a troublesome position. . . . Cal linebackers Matt Beck and Sekou Sanyika, the heart of a tough defense.

Cal update: Bears have a superb defense, sputtering offense and bad kicking game (5 of 12 field goals). Ignacio Brache won a weeklong competition and will kick today. Cornerback/tailback/returner Deltha O'Neal is one of the Pac-10's best all-around players.

- Jon Wilner

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BOX: (Ran on Page 9) No. 2 UCLA (5-0, 3-0) vs. CALIFORNIA (4-2, 2-1) (see text)