NO RUSH TO JUDGMENT

UCLA linebacker Spencer Havner is captain of a defense that gave up more than 400 yards rushing in its first game ... and it’s killing him.

“This past weekend wasn’t good at all,” said Havner, who had a team-high 16 tackles in UCLA’s 31-20 loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday. “It was pretty frustrating.”

Havner felt a little better after watching film of the game, because what he saw was a defense that, if anything, was trying too hard rather than not hard enough.

Once they got behind, the Bruins became susceptible to misdirection plays as they scrambled to force turnovers and big losses. When that happens, Havner said, “It always just compounds the situation.”

Havner, a three-year starter, is the player the Bruins count on for momentum-changing defensive plays. But that didn’t happen against Oklahoma State because by rushing for 426 yards the Cowboys didn’t have to throw to move the ball.

“There’s really no excuse because every team we play, we’re supposed to stop the run,” Havner said. “But for me personally, it was really tough.”

Havner, a junior, is at his best when he gets a chance to roam the field and make plays against the pass. In 27 games at UCLA, he has six interceptions, which he has returned for 180 yards and two touchdowns.

“Spencer has a natural feel for interceptions,” UCLA Coach Karl Dorrell said. “He reads the quarterback’s eyes and just flows into coverage. He’s an expert at anticipating when a pass is going to be thrown.

“He does it against our offense all of the time. As much as we know that he’s on the field, he’s still able to pick off a pass in nearly every practice.”

After being in run-stopping mode against Oklahoma State, which completed two of eight passes for only 23 yards, Havner is excited about facing Illinois on Saturday.

In Illinois’ 52-13 victory over Florida A&M; on Saturday, the Fighting Illini passed 23 times for 258 yards and one touchdown.

Havner said he benefits when opponents underestimate his athleticism.

“I dare [quarterbacks] to throw the ball,” he said. “I bait them into it. I will see a receiver come into an area and just wait. Once the ball is thrown, I just step in front.”

At 6 feet 4 and 236 pounds, Havner can be compared to Brian Urlacher, standout linebacker of the Chicago Bears. Tall and rangy, he has quick feet and sure hands.

“Spencer is a tremendous athlete and competitor,” said Larry Kerr, UCLA’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. “He’s a hard worker on and off the field. He’s that guy who never misses a practice. You take that along with his physical skills and you have one special player.”

Havner displayed toughness on Saturday against the Cowboys. After suffering a shoulder injury early in the game, Havner sat out most of the second quarter with his shoulder pads replaced with an ice bag. At halftime, UCLA officials said Havner’s return for the second half was questionable. Yet, Havner was on the field with the Bruin kickoff coverage team at the start of the third quarter, and he played the rest of the game.

“He suffered a shoulder sprain, but he came back in the second half and played very very well,” Dorrell said. “Once he got his feeling back in his arm, he came out and was very effective.”

After giving up 242 rushing yards and 7.33 yards a carry in the first half, UCLA managed to slow the Cowboys a little. Oklahoma State averaged 5.41 yards a rush in the second half.

With a young line that’s learning on the job playing in front of him, Havner said he expects the defense to continue improving.

“I’m going to stay on them,” Havner said. “I need them to do their job, so that I can do my job. I have confidence in [defensive line] Coach [Don] Johnson. I know he’s going to work and get them right.”

Havner doesn’t hide his frustration when he talks about UCLA’s recent woes. Being the best defensive player on a team that has lost six games in a row dating to last season does not bring many rewards.

Despite registering 178 tackles -- 18 1/2 for losses -- in his two seasons as a starter, Havner was not listed on any preseason “watch lists” for linebacker awards while other seemingly less qualified players from the Pacific 10 Conference were.

That’s not supposed to happen to a player who was chosen a first-team Freshman All-American and Pac-10 Defensive Freshman of the Year by the Sporting News in 2002.

“I feel like I’m flying under the radar,” Havner said. “I started my redshirt freshman year at [inside] linebacker and played well. Then I was moved outside last year and basically had to learn a new position.

“I had a good year, but I know that I could have done a lot better. This year, moving back inside will be good for me. I know that I’m going to have over 100 tackles. I will be right in the middle of the action.”