DUCK NOTES: Bruins' athletic defense still stands out, Bellotti says

The Portland Tribune, Oct 6, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (4 Reader comments)

ROBERT LABERGE / GETTY IMAGES

Jeremiah Masoli "gives us a chance to win," Oregon coach Mike Bellotti says, but Justin Roper is expected to battle in practice this week for the starting job Saturday against UCLA.

THE GAME: UCLA (2-3, 1-1 Pac-10) at Oregon (4-2, 2-1)

WHEN, WHERE: 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Autzen Stadium

TV, RADIO: FSN, KXL (750 AM), KXTG (95.5 FM)

UCLA is coming off a 28-3 win Saturday night over visiting Washington State. The Bruins had lost three in a row.

“We know the type of athletes they have,” Oregon coach Mike Bellotti says. “Athletically, on defense, they’re still one of the very, very good teams.”

• Schemes or personnel — which are in line for possible shakeups as Oregon retools its defense in the wake of the 44-10 loss at USC?

“A little bit of both,” Bellotti says.

The first key to stopping the play-action pass is stopping the run, he adds, “without bringing nine people in the box.”

It’s a matter of “patience and training your eyes. We’ve been a little anxious to get to the football and aren’t seeing the release of eligible receivers.”

Also, “we need to make sure that we contain the quarterback, force him to stay in the pocket.”

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