Misery Finds Company : UCLA: Oregon’s Brooks empathizes with Bruins’ injuries, but there will be no sympathy today.

EUGENE, Ore. —  Oregon Coach Rich Brooks knows what UCLA Coach Terry Donahue has gone through this season after losing his top two quarterbacks to injury.

The Ducks lost their final six games last season after losing three quarterbacks to injury. Oregon started five quarterbacks last season.

UCLA, which lost quarterback Wayne Cook because of a knee injury during its season opener and backup Rob Walker because of an ankle injury during last month’s loss to Stanford, has started four quarterbacks this season.

“I think maybe people in Southern California can experience what it’s like to play inexperienced quarterbacks,” Brooks said. “Changing quarterbacks is one of the most difficult things you can do unless you’re sitting there with three or four great quarterbacks, which most of us don’t have.”

Walker, who has recovered after sitting out the Bruins’ last four games because of a sprained left ankle, might replace John Barnes as the starter today when UCLA plays Oregon at Autzen Stadium. Donahue will decide after watching Walker and Barnes warm up.

Although Barnes completed eight of 15 passes for 149 yards as UCLA ended a five-game losing streak with a 26-14 victory over Oregon State last week, Walker has been more efficient this season, completing 82 of 149 passes for 780 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions. Barnes has completed 34 of 68 passes for 416 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.

The Bruins, 4-5 overall and 1-5 in the Pacific 10, must win their final two games against Oregon (5-4, 3-3) and USC (5-2-1, 4-2) to avoid their third losing season in the last four years.

After averaging 37 yards on the ground in losing their first four Pac-10 games, the Bruins have averaged 174 yards rushing in their last two since switching to a one-back offense. Tailback Chris Alexander, who has rushed for 330 yards in his last two games, had 227 yards and a touchdown last week.

Tailback Kevin Williams, the conference’s rushing leader last season, is expected to return after sitting out four of the Bruins’ last five games because of a hamstring injury. Alexander will probably remain the starter, though.

Oregon, which has won its last two games, needs to win its final two against UCLA and Oregon State to remain in contention for its third bowl bid in the last four years. The Ducks are being considered for the Independence Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

“I don’t think we’re alive (for a bowl bid) if we lose,” Brooks said. “We knew that we’d have to win our last four games to be considered for a bowl bid, and we’re halfway there.”

The Ducks are led by sophomore quarterback Danny O’Neil, a former standout at Mater Dei High in Santa Ana. O’Neil, who has passed for 1,726 yards with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions, threw for 222 yards and a touchdown during last week’s 37-17 victory over California.

Oregon has alternated tailbacks Sean Burwell and Ricky Whittle, who have combined for 1,111 yards and seven touchdowns. Although Burwell, who played at Cleveland High in Reseda, has rushed for 631 yards and six touchdowns, he also has lost six fumbles. When he fumbled during the first half against Cal, he was replaced by Whittle, who gained 129 yards and had an 80-yard touchdown run.

Bruin Notes

Wide receiver Sean LaChapelle, nose guard Sale Isaia, freshman quarterback Ryan Fien and cornerback Carl Greenwood did not make the trip because of injuries. . . . LaChapelle, who has a cracked rib, has caught passes for 1,985 yards and needs 39 more to surpass Flipper Anderson as UCLA’s receiving yardage leader. He hopes to play against USC next week at the Rose Bowl.