Dorrell Keeps His Attitude Positive

A victory at Arizona State on Saturday would put UCLA in position to finish among the top teams in the Pacific 10 Conference this season. Coach Karl Dorrell knows this, and so do his young Bruins, who look at Saturday’s 45-28 loss at California as a positive.

“It’s exciting to be in the position that we’re in,” Dorrell said Monday about UCLA, which is 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Pac-10.

Nearly two months into the season, USC and California have separated themselves from the pack. But it’s a tossup with the remaining teams in the league, especially after Arizona State’s dismal performance against the Trojans last week.

After Arizona State, UCLA plays host to Stanford and Washington State in consecutive weeks at the Rose Bowl.

But if the Bruins are to make a serious challenge in the league, they have to run better. Cal held UCLA to a season-low 79 yards rushing.

“Our running game has not been the same the last couple of weeks, because of both the adjustments defenses have made against us and we haven’t played as well,” Dorrell said. “We need to step it up in those areas.”

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Cornerback Matt Clark is coming off a strong effort against the Bears. Clark finished with a team-high nine tackles, including eight solos and two for losses. He also broke up one pass.

“They got a couple of balls on me early in the game, including a post pass that ended up as a touchdown when I slipped,” Clark said. “But I came around and held my own. Cal was tough because their quarterback [Aaron Rodgers] was real accurate with the ball and moved well in the pocket to keep plays alive.”

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Dorrell on UCLA’s defense, which gave up 550 yards to Cal and is giving up a Pac-10 worst 437.8 yards per game: “Believe it or not, they got better this last week. There’s been some issues in games where guys were put in bad situations in bad places. But we’ve played a lot better.”

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Senior wideout Craig Bragg will practice this week and play against Arizona State, but he will not start, Dorrell said. Defensive tackle C.J. Niusulu, who did not play against Cal because of a swollen ankle, will also practice this week and play Saturday. Linebacker Tim Warfield, who has been sidelined since training camp because of a knee injury, will return to limited practice this week.