UCLA NOTEBOOK: BROWN READY TO SERVE NOTICE IN HOMETOWN : BY JON WILNER STAFF WRITER.

His injuries have healed and his suspension is over, so make way for the local kid. UCLA senior tailback Keith Brown will start today in his hometown.

Brown, who attended Phoenix Mountain Pointe High, replaces DeShaun Foster (sprained ankle) in the lineup, and his timing couldn't be better. This is UCLA's only appearance in Sun Devil Stadium in Brown's career. ASU visited the Rose Bowl in 1996, and the teams did not play in 1997 or '98.

``I've been thinking about this game since my freshman year, when I looked (at the schedule) and saw we were playing ASU in Arizona in my senior year,'' he said. ``This is a chance to show people that Keith Brown still has it.

``It's a perfect opportunity for me. Maybe I'll get booed or called a traitor, but I'll probably know half the people in the stands, because Arizona's not that big.''

Brown attended the UCLA-ASU game in 1995 (the Sun Devils won 37-33) and remembers fans throwing beer at the players. He eventually chose UCLA over Arizona State, joining Jermaine Lewis and Durell Price in coach Bob Toledo's first recruiting class.

``I wanted to get away from home and gain some independence,'' Brown said. ``The decision had nothing to do with ASU.''

Brown battled injuries as a sophomore (knee) and junior (toe), and he did not play in the first two games this year because of the disabled-parking suspension. He doesn't plan to waste today's opportunity.

``This is my breakout game,'' he said. ``I plan to shock the world and show people who I am. They'll see my best. This is the game I've dreamed about, so people in Arizona won't forget me.''

Split loyalties: Arizona State coach Bruce Snyder's daughter, Paige, is a UCLA sophomore and has been hired part-time in the football office. Although the Bruins welcomed her, Paige postponed her start until next week to avoid any conflicts.

Asked about her access to sensitive information, Bruins coach Bob Toledo scoffed.

``She doesn't know our plays,'' he said. ``Heck, we don't even know our plays.''

Old friends: Toledo may have more in common with Snyder than any head coach in the Pac-10. They play golf together and their wives are friendly. In fact, Snyder helped get Toledo a job at USC in the mid-1970s.

``He got me hired at USC,'' Toledo said. ``He called (ex-Trojans coach) John Robinson and told him he should interview me. He was leaving (to be the head coach at) Utah State, and I was at UC Riverside and they were shutting down the program.''

Toledo coached USC's defensive backs for three seasons (1976-78). One of his players was Ronnie Lott, the father of UCLA linebacker Ryan Nece.

Meltdown at high noon: Temperatures are supposed to hit 95 degrees this afternoon, and it'll probably be hotter on the field.

Toledo urged his players to hydrate throughout the week, and at their request agreed to use calf-length socks instead of standard knee-length socks.

Also, watch for the Bruins to substitute more than usual - especially on the lines - to prevent cramping and keep players fresh for the fourth quarter.