UCLA FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: OFFENSE TRIES TO MIX IT UP.

Byline: BRIAN DOHN Staff Writer

In addition to scouting film of an opponent, UCLA breaks down film of itself. After the win against Rice, offensive coordinator Jim Svoboda noticed a problem.

The Bruins were too predictable on offense, namely running too often when using a two-tight end, two-running back formation, Svoboda said. The goal is to change that tendency when UCLA plays Sept. 23 at Washington.

Svoboda, in his first year as UCLA's play-caller and offensive coordinator, said part of the problem against Rice was how well the Bruins ran the ball.

UCLA rushed for 277 yards, so it was easy to go with the two-tight end, two-back formations. But the Bruins rarely passed out of that formation, making it easy for Rice to recognize the upcoming play.

``Going in that game, we didn't have a lot of passing game from that (two-tight end, two-running back) look (for other teams to scout),'' Svoboda said. ``I didn't really envision being in it that much. What happens is, OK, now it's a passing down, you move another personnel group in there, and it seems obvious what you're doing. You're going to throw the ball.

``You always make sure out of all your personnel groups you have balance. You want to be unpredictable within each group.''

Instead, UCLA was predictable. After tight ends Ryan Moya and Logan Paulsen combined for six catches in the opener against Utah, neither caught a pass against Rice. Furthermore, Moya and Paulsen each had just one ball thrown their way in the game.

Rice waited for UCLA's personnel to enter the game, then adjusted its defense accordingly. UCLA converted 6 of 13 third downs, but the Bruins were able to convert only two of eight third downs of five yards or more because the Owls adjusted their defense after seeing the Bruins' on-field personnel.

``I blame myself,'' Svoboda said. ``There were definitely some things we could have done better passing the ball. That (two tight end) look is good if you can stay in those third and shorts. --Looking back on it, we probably should have had some more (in the) passing game out of those looks.''

Although UCLA ran the ball well, it had no success once inside Rice's 20-yard line. The Bruins rushed six times for six yards in the red zone, including three rushes for negative yards and a 6-yard scramble by quarterback Ben Olson.

Recruiting day: The Bruin will use today as one of six days the NCAA allows to go out recruiting during the season.

UCLA coaches will be in Arizona to see defensive end Everson Griffin (Agua Fria Union High of Avondale), in Denver to see receiver Drew Davis (Montbello High) and several locations in California.

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