NOTEBOOK: OFFENSIVELY, BAD EXECUTION HURTS BRUINS.

Byline: - Steve Dilbeck

PASADENA - What happened to that smooth UCLA offensive machine that made Alabama look like Team Overrated?

Everything for the UCLA offense was a struggle Saturday against Fresno State. Aside from two fourth-quarter touchdowns, the Bruins offense had little to boast about.

UCLA coach Bob Toledo blamed execution, particularly that of quarterback Ryan McCann, whom you might remember as the unexpected hero of the Alabama game.

In that game, of course, McCann had tailback DeShaun Foster making like Superman, rushing 42 times for 187 yards.

Foster got it going late Saturday but not when McCann was around. In the first half, Foster rushed 15 times for 49 yards. Even after three quarters, he had a relatively modest 78 yards on 22 carries.

The UCLA offensive line that was blowing highly regarded Alabama off the line, was struggling against Fresno State.

``Alabama was kind of shocked at how we ran the ball,'' said guard Brian Polak. ``Fresno knew and was able to prepare for it and then we didn't execute.''

Foster ended up with 140 yards on 29 carries, and now has 327 yards in two games.

--What do you make of it? The Bruins weren't real sure how excited to be over their 24-21 victory against a Fresno State team that lost 43-10 to Ohio State last week.

``A win is a win,'' linebacker Robert Thomas said.

``We don't like the way we won,'' Polak said. ``We have to put this bad game behind us and get ready for Michigan. Offensively we just didn't execute in the first half.''

``It's a learning experience,'' safety Marques Anderson said. ``We got a win. Now we have to go and get better.''

--Read it and weep: Fresno State is now 0-6 against UCLA, but coach Pat Hill remains undeterred.

``If not for the (late) fumble, we would still be playing now,'' Hill said.

``It's not a moral victory. I feel we can play with these people. We hope we can keep playing the Bruins. . . . I would love to play them in Fresno. I would love that game.''

Saturday, however, was the last game currently scheduled between the two schools.

--Odds and ends: At least the Bruins emerged without any major injuries for Michigan. Backup defensive end Mat Ball had a slight concussion for the only reported injury. . . . The Bulldogs played without their leading rusher, sophomore tailback Derrick Ward, who sprained his ankle last week in Fresno State's 43-10 loss to Ohio State. . . . The 26 net yards the UCLA defense allowed rushing was its best performance since allowing minus-34 yards against Stanford Nov. 1, 1997.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo: Poor quarterback play caused UCLA receiver Freddie Mitchell to play as a defensive back as he knocks the ball away from Fresno State's Tierre Sams during the Bruins' 24-21 victory at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.

Box: UCLA vs. FRESNO ST: A CLOSER LOOK