UCLA FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: BIG-PLAY PASSES YET TO HAPPEN.

Byline: BRIAN DOHN Staff Writer

Marcus Everett's longest reception is 16 yards. Junior Taylor's is 15, Matt Willis' is 19 and Andrew Baumgartner's is 16.

In fact, Brandon Breazell's 25-yard catch is the longest play from scrimmage for a UCLA wide receiver, and that has become a contentious point the past few weeks. Not only is UCLA's passing game not making big plays, but the Bruins are rarely throwing down field.

``We're just not taking chances,'' Everett said. ``We take some chances, I think we'll definitely connect. I think our receiving corps is definitely good enough to make the big plays downfield and our quarterback is good enough to put the ball out there, too.''

UCLA's lack of throwing the deep, or even intermediate, pass bottomed out last week when quarterback Patrick Cowan's longest pass play went for 14 yards. He averaged a paltry seven yards per completion.

And that was in line with UCLA's passing game all season. The Bruins enter Saturday's nonleague game at No. 10 Notre Dame averaging a Pacific 10-low 9.8 yards per completion.

``We've loosened up our throwing game a little bit (in practice), so you're starting to see some things come alive,'' UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said. ``This might be the week.''

Aside from tight end Logan Paulsen's 46-yard catch and run in the opener, big plays are nowhere to be found, a contrast to last season when six wide receivers had catches of 38 yards or more, as did two running backs and two tight ends. From those 10 players, only tight end Marcedes Lewis and tailback Maurice Drew are no longer at UCLA.

``It's kind of frustrating you're not getting the opportunity to make big plays,'' said Everett, who is averaging 9.5 yards on 11 catches.

``We have to keep working through it. One day it's going to click, and we're going to be that explosive offense we know we are.''

Norris likely to redshirt: Injured cornerback Michael Norris, who is yet to play because of a torn ligament in his knee, said he would redshirt, unless UCLA suffered an injury to one of its cornerbacks.

Moline's role: Freshman running back Chane Moline is tied for the team lead with two touchdowns, but he's done it on only nine carries. He was recruited to be a Manuel White-type of back, to used in short-yardage situations, but that hasn't always been the case.

When UCLA was on Oregon's 2-yard line last week, Moline remained on the bench while Kahlil Bell was given the ball. Bell needed two plays to score, and after the game, Moline walked off the field with running backs coach Dino Babers.

``I was a little frustrated. (Babers) was trying to work me in, and things didn't go as well as we thought in (that) game,'' said Moline, who rushed for 17 touchdowns as a senior at Mission Viejo High.

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