UCLA INSIDE LOOK: FROSH EBELL TOLLS FOR 203 DIMINUTIVE UCLA BACK MAKES MOST OF HIS SHOT.

Byline: Billy Witz Staff Writer

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Tyler Ebell, wearing a winners' smile, lifted up his 1 1/2-year-old sister Paige as they posed for a picture with a half-dozen other family members late Saturday afternoon outside Gill Coliseum.

Ebell clutched his sister as firmly as he did everything else all day - namely, the football and an opportunity. She was the only thing he didn't run with.

Thrust into the game because of an injury to starter Manuel White and the ineffectiveness of backup Akil Harris, the 5-foot-9, 170-pound freshman rushed for 203 yards and one touchdown on 29 carries, helping the Bruins to a 43-35 victory over Oregon State.

Ebell, who'd done commendable work as a punt returner, had only 13 carries for 48 yards this season - mostly in mop-up duty. He not only turned in career highs, he turned in the second-best rushing performance ever by a UCLA freshman, surpassed only by Eric Ball's 227 yards against Iowa in the 1986 Rose Bowl.

``Tyler Ebell did a fantastic job,'' said UCLA coach Bob Toledo, who declined to say who would start next week against Oregon.

Ebell, sent into the game with UCLA behind 14-0 to start the second quarter, carried the ball 11 yards to begin the drive that started the comeback. Until the fourth quarter, he was more workhorse than racehorse, plugging away at the Oregon State defense. His 5-yard run up the gut gave UCLA the lead for good, 19-14, early in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, he only got stronger - and faster. After the Beavers closed within 29-21, Ebell - sprung by a devastating trap block by Mike Saffer on middle linebacker Richard Siegler - raced 73 yards up the middle before getting dragged down at the 1-yard line. Harris scored on the next play.

After Oregon State answered with another score, Ebell raced 31 yards around the end to set up UCLA's final touchdown. He also made two tough runs to gain a first down in the final two minutes to seal the victory. In the final quarter, he rushed for 124 yards on nine carries.

``I didn't talk to him, we just threw him in there,'' running-backs coach Kelly Skipper said. ``Tyler's been trying to find his groove right now. I think the reps he's gotten returning punts has helped. His whole game is starting to get confidence.''

Ebell's speed helped him get outside the fleet Oregon State defense several times, something that surprised OSU coach Dennis Erickson. But he did most of his work between the tackles.

``He's little, but he plays like a big guy,'' White said. ``He plays like he thinks he weighs 220.''

Ebell might have rushed for a national high school-record 4,495 yards and 64 touchdowns as a senior at Ventura High, but the numbers many chose to look at were his height and weight.

``A lot of people told me I wasn't big enough,'' Ebell said. ``Some colleges wanted me to switch to receiver or defensive back. It's been a long wait, and I understand that I've got to put in my time, but I waited to show I'm not just a third-down back or a scat back. My passion is at running back, and I wanted to make the most of the opportunity.''

In many ways, it was like high school all over again. After speaking with reporters, Ebell went outside to meet with his mother - wearing her blue No. 2 jersey - and his two little sisters, Paige, and 5-year-old Jordan.

``I'm so proud of him,'' said his mother, Karin Hewlett, burying her allegiance as an Oregon State alum for a day. ``He's been playing football since he was 8 years old and even then people told him he was too small. I can't say I expected this, but I knew his time would come. He continues to amaze me.''

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Tyler Ebell (2) ran for 203 yards, the second-best total ever for a UCLA freshman, vs. Oregon State.

Greg Wahl-Stephens/Associated Press