UCLA HOPES TO AVOID BEING PUNCH LINE BIG GUYS ON DEFENSE WON'T BE JOKING AROUND.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

UCLA's defense lost cornerback Matt Ware and tackle-machine linebacker Brandon Chillar to the NFL and replaced them with first-time starters Marcus Cassel and Wesley Walker, respectively.

Inside linebacker Dan Nelson, a junior college transfer, will make his first start in the place of defensive signal caller Justin London.

But neither the secondary nor the linebacking corps is UCLA's biggest concern in today's season opener against Oklahoma State.

The Cowboys have an athletic quarterback whom the Bruins have not seen on tape and a reputation for running the ball. That could spell double trouble for a UCLA defensive line with no experience.

None of the Bruins defensive linemen have started a game on defense. Of the 10 potential Bruins to be used on the line, only Kevin Brown - who started three games on the offensive line last season - has played at the Division I level.

``We're ready to prove a lot of people wrong,'' Bruins defensive end Bruce Davis said. ``Everyone thinks we're (terrible). Nobody believes in us but the people within this organization and our families. So we all have the same mind-set that we're going to go out there and do what we were brought here to do.''

On this occasion, that begins with stopping the run.

Oklahoma State returns four starters on an offensive line that helped the Cowboys average 217.8 yards rushing per game last season.

After 2003's dismal offensive showing, the Bruins entered training camp with questions about whether they would be able to score consistently. They exited camp with injuries to three of the projected starters on the defensive line. A fourth member, junior college transfer Justin Hickman, is moving from right end to left end because of the injuries.

C.J. Niusulu's mid-week knee surgery created more depth problems for the defensive line, but the health of two of the top newcomers also is a factor.

Defensive ends Kyle Morgan, a junior college transfer, and Brigham Harwell, the top freshman, will be limited after undergoing a procedure similar to Niusulu's less than three weeks ago. Those injuries led to 240- pound redshirt freshman Bruce Davis starting at right defensive end. Starting inside next to Brown is freshman Kenneth Lombard.

``I see that we're going to be able to run the ball against anybody we play this year,'' Cowboys senior guard Sam Mayes said. ``We're a hard- working, kind of a hard-nosed, smash-mouth offensive line. That's one of our main concerns, to run the ball this whole year.''

As if the running game isn't enough to worry about, UCLA's defense must deal with the unknown of Cowboys redshirt freshman Donovan Woods, a double-threat quarterback. He threw for nearly 2,500 yards and ran for more than 1,000 yards as a high school senior.

``We haven't gotten to see film on him,'' UCLA cornerback Matt Clark said. ``This is his first career start, so we're looking to put a little bit of pressure on him. But he's supposed to be pretty fast, so we have to keep our eye on him.''

In an effort to learn more about Woods, several of UCLA's assistant coaches spoke with Woods' high school coach and with coaches who opposed Woods when he played at Oklahoma City's Millwood High two years ago.

``Tremendous runner, decent passer,'' Bruins defensive coordinator Larry Kerr said of Woods. ``This kid is fast and elusive. We've got to make sure we keep him in front of us. We've got to keep him in the pocket if he is throwing the football. I think he'll be just as dangerous as a runner, so that's going to be a challenge for us.''

With warm conditions expected and experience lacking, the Bruins plan to rotate as many as 10 defensive linemen. That's where things get even murkier.

Freshman William Snead, converted from linebacker a few weeks ago, backs up Davis. Sophomore walk-on Robert Garcia is behind Lombard, and freshman Noah Sutherland backs up Brown.

Justin Hickman, meanwhile, is backed up by Morgan and freshman Nikola Dragovic.

``According to y'all, they're supposed to pound us,'' said Hickman, who was asked why he wasn't worried. ``That's the kind of person I am. No matter how big the fight, I'm ready to go out there and battle with the guys lining up next to me.''

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com

SEASON OPENER

Who: UCLA vs. Oklahoma State.

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m., Rose Bowl.

TV/Radio: Ch. 7; 690-AM, 1150-AM (Spanish).

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) Karl Dorrell will begin his second season as UCLA's coach with a defensive line hobbled by injuries and lacking experience.

(2) Cornerback Matt Clark will have his hands full today as UCLA's defense tries to contain Oklahoma State quarterback Donovan Woods, who is a freshman.

Edna T. Simpson/Daily News

Box:

(1) SEASON OPENER (see text)

(2) TODAY'S GAMES

-Brian Dohn