2005 Vitalis Sun Bowl - #17 UCLA vs. Northwestern
By: Staff

Friday, December 30th might look a lot like July 4th to football fans in El Paso, Texas as the 17th ranked UCLA Bruins take on the Northwestern Wildcats in the Vitalis Sun Bowl. Neither team can be accused of playing much defense this season but both squads come in with top ranked offenses. The Wildcats rank eighth nationally in total offense (492.7 ypg) while the Bruins rank 24th (429.0 ypg). The fireworks should be going off early and often due to a handful of players that should hear their names called in next April’s NFL Draft.

UCLA comes into the game looking to rid themselves of their nightmarish 66-19 loss to cross-town rival USC. The Bruin offense is under the direction of senior quarterback Drew Olson who leads the nation in virtually every quarterback statistic. He leads the nation in touchdown passes (31), passing efficiency (165.23) and interception percentage (0.93). Over Olson's last 19 games, he has completed 372 of 590 (.630) passes for 4,880 yards with 48 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions. Olson lead UCLA to four fourth quarter comebacks this season and in the fourth quarter/overtime of all games this season, Olson is 62 of 88 (.721) for 820 yards, 11 touchdowns and no interceptions. In the second half of all games this season, Olson is 119 of 174 (.683) for 1,445 yards, 16 touchdowns and no interceptions. The 6’3” 225 lb. signal caller was given strong Heisman Trophy consideration for much of the season and if impressive enough at the NFL Combine should be no worse than a third round selection at the NFL Draft.

Olson’s top target this season has been senior tight end Marcedes Lewis who was named the John Mackey Award winner as the nation’s top tight end. Lewis leads the Bruins with 58 receptions for 741 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns. This season’s numbers are all career highs and UCLA tight end records. Lewis, who measures in at 6’6” and 256 lbs. is tall enough to play tight end at the next level, but would be well served to put on some weight in order to handle the rigors of a full NFL season. There has been some talk about teams possibly playing him at wide receiver with his speed and obvious height advantage. Either way, Lewis will most assuredly be a first round pick in April and has a strong chance of being the first tight end selected as well.

Despite UCLA’s defensive struggles this season, the team has produced two prospects at linebacker that should be intriguing to NFL scouts. The name Spencer Havner has been penciled into more than a few mock drafts in either of the first two rounds. Standing 6’4” and weighing 245 pounds, Havner was a semifinalist for the Bednarik (top defensive player) and Butkus (top linebacker) Awards. He has ideal size that NFL scouts look for. Dubbed “UCLA’s tackling machine” by ESPN.com writer Bruce Feldman, Havner leads the Bruins 92 tackles (8th in the Pac-10) 15 tackles for losses along with two interceptions and two sacks. Havner plays the pass as well as the run evidenced by his 10 career interceptions with three returned for touchdowns. Havner certainly has first round talent but this draft is heavy at linebacker and even a standout such as he could slip into the second round.

The Bruin’s other senior linebacker of note is Justin London. Although a bit shorter than Havner, the 6’1” 234 lb. London makes up for it with tremendous speed. In nine games this season he has 41 tackles, five tackles for losses and one forced fumble and recovery. London has been listed as a possible second rounder in various mock drafts but more than likely will be a third or fourth round selection.

Other Bruin standouts to watch for in this game include senior offensive tackle Ed Blanton (6’9” 346 lbs.), senior center Mike McCloskey (6’5” 280 lbs.), senior defensive end Kyle Morgan (6’3” 264 lbs.), senior strong safety Jarrad Page (6’2” 220 lbs.) and senior linebacker Wesley Walker (6’3 222 lbs.)

Northwestern enters this game having lost its last four bowl games. In fact, the Wildcat program has just one bowl win in school history, a victory over California in the 1948 Rose Bowl. Yes, it has indeed been 58 years since the school’s last bowl victory but this might be its best chance yet.

If you live outside of Big Ten country you may not be too familiar with senior quarterback Brett Basanez. Standing 6’2” and weighing 215 pounds, Basanez was named first team Big Ten as well as conference player of the year by the media. He led the league in passing yards (291.5 ypg), completions (25.1 pg) and total offense (327.0 ypg). All three of those marks are single-season bests at Northwestern. He also established a new single-season mark for passing efficiency (139.6). Basanez was a finalist for the Davey O’Brien Award as well as the Unitas Golden Arm Award. He is also just the third Big Ten player in history to surpass 10,000 career yards and if he can rush for 36 yards in the Sun Bowl, he will become the first player in Division 1-A history to pass for 10,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in a career. Despite his eye popping numbers, Basanez is generally regarded as a second day selection and somewhat of a project for interested NFL teams.

Tim McGarigle returned for his senior season after leading the nation in solo tackles per game (8.5 pg) as a junior. The 6’1” 235 lb. linebacker followed that up this season with another 100+ tackle season. McGarigle was selected second team all-Big Ten and was a semifinalist for both the Bednarik and Butkus Awards. The Sporting News named him one of the nation’s three “biggest hitters”. His lack of size will certainly work against him but expect to see McGarigle’s name early on in day two.

Barry Cofield at 6’4” and 305 lbs. will certainly get a look by the scouts at the combine. The senior defensive tackle was voted second team all-Big Ten after posting 53 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception and a forced fumble this season. Cofield will more than likely hear his name called late on the second day of the draft.

Every great offense starts with a great line and the same goes for Northwestern. Zach Strief leads this unit. The senior right tackle was named second team all-Big Ten and certainly possesses prototypical tackle size at 6’7” and 335 lbs. Strief was also named “Most Powerful Lineman” and “Best Pass Blocker” in the Big Ten by two different publications this season. Strief could very easily be a first day selection with an impressive showing at the combine.

Other Wildcat standouts to watch for in the game include senior safety Herschel Henderson (6’3” 195 lbs.) and senior wide receiver Mark Philmore (5’10” 185 lbs.)