UCLA GETS DAY IN SUN.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

When UCLA played in its first Sun Bowl, the game was on New Year's Eve.

When the Bruins and Northwestern meet Dec. 30, kickoff is 11 a.m. PST, but the game might not conclude until New Year's Day.

It was no surprise on Sunday when it was announced No. 17 UCLA will play Big Ten representative Northwestern in the 72nd Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.

But to the delight of bowl executives and lovers of Arena Football League-type scoring on a full-sized field, the first matchup in 35 years between the two schools brings the promise of points, points and more points.

UCLA (9-2) is seventh in the nation in scoring at 38.1 points per game. Northwestern (7-4) is eighth in total offense at 492.7 yards per game, and is averaging 31.8 points per game.

``That brings a lot of points,'' Sun Bowl executive director Bernie Olivas said. ``(Fans) want to see some exciting football, and we're expecting a lot of points. I don't know if CBS is going to like the fact that we'll probably go into their nightly news, but I'll tell you what, if they're putting up a lot of points, I think they won't mind.

``And El Paso won't mind, either, and that's the kind of bowl matchup you want. You want some exciting teams, and both teams bring a lot of offense.''

And both bring very little defense, adding to the high-scoring expectations.

UCLA, which finished third in the Pacific-10 Conference, ranks last in the nation against the run.

After allowing 66 points and 430 rushing yards in Saturday's debacle at USC, the Bruins are 107th in the nation in scoring defense (33.8 ppg), 111th in total defense (457.6 ypg), and are yielding 238.6 rushing yards per game.

And then there is Northwestern's defense, which may be worse.

The Wildcats, who have not won a bowl game since defeating Cal in the 1949 Rose Bowl, are last in the nation in total defense (482.9 ypg), 110th in rushing defense (209.7 ypg) and 102nd in scoring defense (32.5 ppg).

``The stats seem to say one thing, but you never know,'' Northwestern coach Randy Walker said. ``We've had some success as an offense this year, but we've played some good games on defense. We haven't been as consistent as we'd like to be, and there's been some things we need to improve.''

It should be an offensive showcase for Bruins quarterback Drew Olson and Northwestern counterpart Brett Basanez.

Olson has completed 232 of 354 pass attempts (65.5 percent) for 3,055 yards and 31 touchdowns, with three interceptions. UCLA's running game features tailback Maurice Drew, who has 900 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing.

Basanez has connected on 276 of 427 pass attempts (64.6 percent) for 3,209 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions. Tailback Tyrell Sutton has run for 1,390 yards and 16 scores.

``I've seen a little bit of them throughout the season on TV, and they have a very good quarterback that operates a pretty wide-open offense,'' Bruins coach Karl Dorrell said. ``There's going to be two good quarterbacks in this game, and it's probably going to be exciting to watch.''

But one issue for UCLA is whether it can recover from the demoralizing loss to the Trojans and win a bowl game for the first time in Dorrell's three years at the helm.

The game also marks the first time UCLA will play a bowl outside of realistic driving distance since the 2000 Sun Bowl. UCLA didn't go to a bowl in 2001, played in Las Vegas in 2002 and 2004 and San Jose in 2003.

--Also: Former UCLA coach Terry Donahue, who led UCLA to a 6-3 victory against Illinois in the 1991 Sun Bowl, will be inducted into the game's Hall of Fame on Dec. 29. ... Arizona State is the common opponent between the schools. The Wildcats lost 52-21 on Sept. 17.

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 boxes

Box:

(1) REPORT CARD: NO. 1 USC 66, NO. 11 UCLA 19

(2) TOP 25: WOLF'S PICKS, AP POLL