Time for Their Own Defense

* Time: 2 p.m.

* Site: Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto.

* TV: Fox Sports West 2 (delayed, 3:30 p.m.).

* Radio: KXTA (1150).

* The offenses: Drew Bennett knows he needs to be as relaxed as he was last week, when he was the backup quarterback, not as tense and tentative as he was in two games as the starter. But his return to No. 1, because of the chest injury to Cory Paus, will be in his home area. He grew up about an hour away in Orinda. “That’s more excitement than nervousness,” Bennett said. “I would be anxious to play in front of a lot of people I knew.” The Bruin running game is still struggling, the offensive line is still searching for consistency and the receivers are beat up, with Brad Melsby the only uninjured player there among the original five. At least Danny Farmer should return after sitting out last week because of a sprained ankle, still needing 46 catches to take over first place on the UCLA list. Stanford has no such difficulties, only the choice of which weapon to rely on. Troy Walters, the leader of a very good receiving corps, is on pace to break the Pacific 10 record for yards receiving, set by USC’s Johnnie Morton from 1990-93.

* The defenses: The Cardinal already has 14 sacks--UCLA has two--and had six against the Arizona offensive line that some considered the best in the conference. Outside linebacker Riall Johnson has 5 1/2. Strong safety Tim Smith, who led the Pac-10 last season with six interceptions, had three last week, as well as nine tackles and a sack. UCLA’s Ali Abdul Azziz is expected to play for the first time, after missing the first two games because of suspension and another because of a neck injury. A bigger boost for the Bruins would be the hoped-for return of defensive tackle Pete Holland after a one-game absence because of a lower-back injury, although Anthony Fletcher played well in his place last week against Fresno State.

* Key to the game: On a team loaded with big-play capabilities, no one is more dangerous than Walters. “We’ve got to try to limit his yards,” Toledo said. The problem is not only his receiving against a Bruin secondary that starts three inexperienced players. Walters also returns kickoffs and punts.

* Fast fact: UCLA has a 15-game winning streak in conference play. The record is 22, set by California from 1947-50.

* Line: UCLA by 1.

HOW THEY COMPARE

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UCLA STANFORD 31.0 Scoring 40.3 23.3 Points allowed 36.0 263.3 Passing Offense 283.3 130.3 Rushing Offense 146.7 393.7 Total offense 430.0 222.7 Passing defense 332.0 170.7 Rushing defense 118.7 393.3 Total defense 450.7

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