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UCLA football coach Rick Neuheisel not only is defending his job this year but also his decision to switch to the "pistol" offense.

Making the change to the scheme, in which the quarterback normally lines up four yards behind the center, was a point of contention between Neuheisel and then-offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who preferred his quarterbacks to be under center.

Neuheisel said this week he felt the change had to be made, believing it best fit UCLA's personnel and would give the Bruins' lagging offense a spark.

The Bruins averaged just 20.2 points in 2010, 22 points in 2009 and 17.8 points in 2008. This year, the Bruins are averaging 25.22 points, ranking ninth in the Pac-12. They have averaged 30 points in their last two games.

"We studied the country and decided what was going on at Nevada was the best choice for us," Neuheisel said. "It didn't germinate in year one like we wanted it to, but hopefully we are finding our stride."

The Utes experimented with the pistol offense as well when Andy Ludwig was the offensive coordinator and Brian Johnson started at quarterback.

"You get the benefits of the shotgun and the benefits of being under center stuff, that is the theory," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said.

While switching to the scheme takes some work for the offense, Whittingham said it doesn't present anymore problems than any other formation for defenses.

"The benefit is, once you're in the shotgun in the throw game, you're away from the pass rush and you get the downhill run element from being under center. But defensively it's just another formation. You don't treat it any differently."

Family ties

Utah receiver Dres Anderson always imagined he'd be a Bruin when he went to school. After all, the Bruins are in the family tree— both his father and uncle having played for them.

But then, on his recruiting trip to Utah, a funny thing happened to Anderson.

"Utah just got me," he said.

Apparently it has gotten the rest of the family, too. His father, Willie "Flipper" Anderson, and the rest of his supporters have no qualms about being decked out in red for Saturday's game against the Bruins.

"My dad is like, 'Go get them,' " the Utah freshman said. "He is Utah 100 percent."

The Utes are glad Anderson is, too, considering he has been one of the few receivers to show big-play potential this season.

He is second on the team in touchdown catches (three), second on the team in receiving yards (308) and third in receptions (21).

Whittingham said he was familiar with Flipper Anderson because his own father, Fred Whittingham, was a linebacker coach with the Los Angeles Rams when Anderson was a receiver for the team.

"I used to watch him all the time back in the day," Whittingham said. "Dres has played some good football for us, but his best days are ahead of him."

UCLA injury report

The Utes came out of their win at Arizona relatively healthy, so they aren't expecting any lineup changes due to injuries Saturday. The Bruins weren't so lucky. Safeties Tony Dye (neck) and Alex Mascarenas (concussion) are out for the game. Linebacker Jordan Zumwalt is questionable (hip pointer), safety Dietrich Riley is doubtful (neck) and offensive lineman Chris Ward is questionable (knee).

Of note

Tickets still remain for Saturday's game. … KJZZ will televise the Utah-Washington State game, which kicks off at 3 p.m. Mt on Nov. 19.