DEFENSE CLAMPS ON CARDINAL.

Byline: Jon Wilner Daily News Staff Writer

Two months ago UCLA's defense was considered the weakness that would keep the Bruins from a bowl game. Now it's the strength that is keeping UCLA in the Rose Bowl chase, with Saturday's masterpiece against Stanford the latest proof of its transformation.

``Our defensive coaches had a great game plan,'' coach Bob Toledo said after the 27-7 victory over Stanford. ``I can't be happier for them. The first couple weeks, they were maligned. Everybody thought we were a bad defensive team, but we've showed that we're good.''

Opponents have averaged 15 points during UCLA's seven-game winning streak, but the Bruins were never better than against Stanford, with its talented tailbacks, speedy receivers and superb quarterback.

The same Cardinal offense that scored 58 points against Oregon and plastered Notre Dame managed one meaningless touchdown against the Bruins. More, Stanford rushed for minus-34 yards, a UCLA record.

How did the Bruins do it? Their game plan was nothing unusual: Stop the run and pressure quarterback Chad Hutchinson.

``When you have tailbacks like (Anthony) Bookman and (Mike) Mitchell, the chances of them breaking 60- or 70-yarders or controlling the game are a big concern,'' UCLA defensive coordinator Rocky Long said. ``You have to make them your priority.''

The Bruins blitzed their usual contingent of linebackers and safeties, which eliminated the running lanes for Mitchell (12 yards) and Bookman (7). UCLA's Weldon Forde (two sacks) and Danjuan Magee (three tackles for losses) were too strong and too quick for their Cardinal counterparts.

When Hutchinson dropped back to pass, those same blitzers chased him from the pocket. He was sacked six times and decked countless others.

``It's frustrating for a quarterback anytime guys are in his face every play,'' UCLA safety Shaun Williams said. ``That threw his timing off.''

Hutchinson's receivers did little to help. A few punishing hits by Bruins defenders in the first half shortened the arms of receivers Troy Walters and Damon Dunn, who seemed more concerned about their health than making the catch.

``I think we intimidated them early,'' Magee said.

It was a dramatic change from last year, when Walters ran wild and Hutchinson engineered a last-minute touchdown drive to give Stanford a 21-20 victory in the Rose Bowl.

``That was a real motivator for us,'' Magee said. ``We've come so far (this year), we didn't want a setback. If we lose any game, the whole (Rose Bowl) run crumbles, especially for the seniors. We can't afford any losses.''

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Photo

PHOTO Stanford quarterback Chad Hutchinson is dragged down by UCLA's Shaun Williams. Hutchinson had Bruins in his face all day.

Associated Press