By Mark Soltau
CBS SportsLine Senior Writer
Oct. 24, 1998

BERKELEY, Calif. -- It's not easy being hunted, but UCLA coach Bob Toledo and his players seem to thrive on it.

Last week, the second-ranked

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Bruins edged No. 11 Oregon in overtime. Saturday, they overcame another inspired effort -- this time by the Cal defense -- to escape Memorial Stadium with a 28-16 victory.

"I feel like the gunslinger,'' Toledo said afterward. "Everybody is out to get us. There's pressure, sure. We want it. Each week, it gets tougher.''

Defensively, the Golden Bears put the Full Monty on Heisman Trophy candidate Cade McNown, jamming the line of scrimmage. Coming into the game, the senior quarterback has been sacked only four times in five games. Cal collected three, decked him on almost every pass attempt, and added eight tackles for losses.

TO HIS CREDIT, MCNOWN kept getting up. He played the second half with an injured throwing hand, after getting it sandwiched between two defenders, and prolonged several drives with scrambles. He even got UCLA out of a hole with a 49-yard quick-kick, something he performs about as often as an oil change.

"When it comes time to make big plays, Cade McNown makes big plays,'' Toledo said. "He's the reason we've won 16 games in a row.''

Statistically, McNown's numbers weren't impressive. He completed 15 of 27 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns, and ran 12 times for 57 yards. But those numbers don't begin to tell the story.

McNown faced a relentless pass rush. Half of his completions came with Bears hanging on him. Operating with horrible field position most of the afternoon, he was calm, courageous and patient, and simply refused to let his team lose.

"Their defense played us extremely tough,'' he said. "We really had to fight out there. I am certainly not looking to run, but if it comes down to crucial situations and everyone is covered, then I'll do what I have to do.''

UCLA came into the game averaging 46.6 points and 498 yards, basically scoring at will against every opponent. After three quarters, Cal, which boasts the top defense in the Pac-10, limited the Bruins to 21 points and 261 yards.

TOLEDO, WHO USUALLY INSTALLS two gadget plays each week, reached into his bag of tricks early in the fourth quarter, essentially dealing the unsuspecting Bears a death blow. Tailback Jermaine Lewis ran an apparent sweep to the right, then stopped and threw a strike to wide receiver Jon Dubravac, who had slipped 10 yards behind the Cal secondary.

"I think that was the knockout punch,''

Cade McNown was a little more cramped Saturday, but the Bruins remained undefeated. (AP)

said Toledo. "We realize that you have to play all four quarters and all 60 minutes. I don't feel lucky. I feel like we're a pretty good football team.''

Cal players weren't impressed. Most were kicking themselves, especially the offense, which self-destructed again in the red zone, failing to score on first and goal from the 6 and first and goal from the 2.

"They're not as big and mighty as you think they are,'' guard Brandon Ludwig said. "We should have beat them.''

McNown wouldn't allow it. He has the build, mentality and confidence of Steve Young, and coincidentally, throws left-handed. Like Young, he's extremely competitive, and isn't afraid to speak his mind.

SEVERAL TIMES SATURDAY, HE engaged in animated sideline conversations with offensive coordinator Alan Borges.

"It's everybody else's job to tell him how great he is,'' Borges said. "It's my job to tell him what to do better.''

Borges described his relationship with McNown as "tough love,'' then added, "We never, ever lose our composure.''

Given the poor field position, penalties (12 for 113) and ferocious performance by the Cal defense, Borges' play-calling was limited. All things considered, he was thrilled with the victory.

"I REALLY BELIEVE THIS is as good a counter-punching offense as I've ever been around,'' he said.

Many have already projected a UCLA-Ohio State matchup in the Fiesta Bowl for the national championship. The Bruins, who haven't won a national title since 1954, shouldn't have a problem handling Stanford and Oregon State the next two weeks before closing the regular season against Washington, USC and Miami.

Though some insist the UCLA defense is suspect, it came up big Saturday. Like their quarterback, the Bruins could have buckled, but dug deep when it mattered most.

"I think it's harder to stay on top,'' offensive tackle Kris Farris said. "We feed off it. This is why we play the game.''

Mark Soltau is a senior writer in CBS SportsLine's San Francisco bureau.