NOTEBOOK: PAUS SUBPAR IN FIRST HALF BEFORE INJURY.

Byline: Billy Witz Staff Writer

STANFORD - Cory Paus left the game at halftime after spraining his right thumb, aggravating an injury that he had in fall camp. The way he played, it may not have mattered if he was healthy.

UCLA coach Bob Toledo, when asked if he would have made a change if Paus wasn't injured, said, ``I'd rather not comment on that.''

Paus completed 5 of 16 passes in the first half for 105 yards and was intercepted once - the first he has thrown in 198 passes dating back to last season. Paus was 1 for 6 with a sack on third and fourth downs.

It was the first time since the opening half of the season opener that the Bruins' offense hasn't scored in a half.

``I hit somebody in the shoulder pads on the follow-through on the last or second-to-last play of the half,'' said Paus, who had his thumb taped.

Paus, who was coming off his best game of the season against Cal, hit Tab Perry for 44 yards and Ryan Smith for 27, but again struggled with the intermediate passes.

``I made a couple of big mistakes and had some passes tipped,'' Paus said. ``I didn't play very well.''

Toledo said he isn't sure who will start at quarterback next week. It could be Paus, Scott McEwan or if they aren't healthy, Ryan McCann.

--Injury report: Paus was one of many Bruins who were banged up. Strong safety Jason Stephens (hyperextended foot), tight end Blane Kezerian (concussion) and quarterback Scott McEwan (sprained ankle) left the game and didn't return. Center Troy Danoff and receiver Ryan Smith played the last quarter and half, respectively, with separated shoulders.

--Height advantage: Stanford receiver Teyo Johnson, a 6-foot-7 freshman, held off 5-11 cornerback Joe Hunter to score the Cardinal's second touchdown on a 3-yard pass from Chris Lewis. Johnson was isolated out to the left on the play, ran a fade, held off Hunter with one hand, then caught the ball, which was thrown behind him, with the same hand.

Why was the Bruins' lone big corner, 6-3 Matt Ware, on the bench at the time?

``Ware was having problems,'' UCLA defensive coordinator Phil Snow said. ``We wanted him in the football game in that situation, but we were trying to settle him down.''

--Bagel broken: Mike Biselli's 30-yard field goal in the third quarter were the first points the Bruins allowed in the second half this season.

--TD 2: Ryan Nece's 39-yard fumble return for UCLA's first touchdown was his second touchdown of the season.

--Big draw: The crowd of 64,495, which included former Secretary of State George Shultz, was the largest to see an opponent other than Cal or Notre Dame since 1992.

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Box:

STANFORD 38, UCLA 28