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TON: With All-American runningback Bernard Pierce returning from injury, it seems more likely that the Owls main arsenal will be the running game. How will the Bruins prepare for Temple's style of play, and utilize their specialties to counter?

BN: The obvious answer is the Bruins will lean on Brian Price. The monster defensive tackle was the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and for good reason as he had 22.5 tackles for a loss, good for third in the nation, in a category dominating by defensive ends and linebackers. Jerzy Siewerski, the Bruins' other starting defensive tackle, is healthy, which should allow UCLA to bottle up the interior a little better. The Bruins do a great job stopping the run, for the most part, but are killed by big plays in the running game, which are usually the result of overpersuit by the linebackers. I think the Bruins will look to move a safety into the box and spread the linebackers out wider to shut down the off-tackle run game and depend on Price and Sierwerski to handle the interior.

"Oh, he'll play in the league," said Neuheisel, a former Baltimore Ravens assistant. "But I don't think there's any reason for him to go now, because the market for that position doesn't change. I think he can finish school, have a chance to be a two-time all-American. All that kind of stuff is a great thing. Certainly we'll understand if he determines otherwise."

Forbath said he still is considering his decision.

"I'm just looking at my options and talking to different people, just seeing what the possibilities are and whether it's the right decision now or to wait a year," he said. "Right now, I don't really know. It's a good situation to be in."

Another Christmas has come and it's better than some. Moore will celebrate with his mother, Nowana Buchanan, and family today. On Friday he gets on a plane for the nation's capital, where the Bruins will play Temple in the EagleBank Bowl on Tuesday.

It's another step in the journey.

"I am so proud of his accomplishments," said Buchanan, a single mother with three children. "Every kid should follow the path of their dream. Every kid should desire to be positive in life and have a goal. I've seen him grow and seen him go after his dream. And he didn't get into any trouble. That is the most rewarding thing."

There is little doubt that Moore, a 19-year-old with deep religious beliefs, is the light bulb around which many of his teammates hover, providing a nonstop monologue to anyone within range.

UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince said his injured right shoulder has improved enough that he can play in the bowl game.

Prince, who was injured in the regular-season finale against USC, tested his arm the last four practices.

"I'm good to go," Prince said. "I'm feeling well enough that if we had to play tomorrow, I think I could pull it off. There is still some discomfort, but nothing I can't play through. It's gotten to the point where I can make almost every throw without it bothering me too much."