How 'bout them Bruins?!?!
I went to the UCLA game not really knowing what to expect from my beloved Bruins this season. Would the Bruins get blown out by the visiting Vols? I thought they would but boy was I wrong.
I was at the game with Freddy Robledo. Just before the winning drive by the Bruins, Freddy convinced me to leave our perfect view from the 40-yard line, 20 rows up to watch from the "4" tunnel so that when the Bruins score we could leave right away and head for the shuttle buses.
UCLA took a 24-21 lead (a score Freddy predicted) with 27 seconds remaining so Freddy thought it was over and we left.
Wrong!
When we got to the shuttles, Tennessee went on to tie it after a few plays with a field goal. There were some UCLA fans who thought we were kidding when we told them.
Fred Robledo Sr. gave Freddy the play-by-play on the bus ride to the parking lot. When UCLA won, the bus erupted.
When Freddy predicted the Bruins beating the Vols the bloggers over on his side gave him a lot of heat, and as it turned out they had to later apologize after UCLA upset No. 18 Tennessee, 27-24, in overtime. The victory helped the Bruins earn a No. 23 ranking in the AP Top 25 poll which was released earlier today.
It was a tale of two halves for Mt. SAC-transfer Kevin Craft.
He throws four interceptions in the first half and already people near our seats, including me, were calling for a new quarterback.
But what poise by Kraft to come back in the second half and play like a four-year starter, throwing for nearly 200 yards and generating the winning drive.
It's funny how quickly people change their minds, the same guys calling for Kraft's head suddenly saying "I love Kevin Kraft" and "Kraft for President" (that's what I yelled).
UCLA can thank its defense for keeping it in the game. And how fitting for the Bruins' first score to come from their heralded defense.
Rick Neuheisel did an outstanding job in sticking with Kraft and keeping him calm. Kudos to Norm Chow who did the same. Some bloggers over on Freddy's blog are calling Chow a god. I wouldn't go that far but what a difference when you finally have a real coach and offensive coordinator. I would go as far as saying Kraft did more than Patrick Cowan or Ben Olson have done combined since they've been at UCLA, though Cowan did help beat USC a couple years ago.
In Kraft the Bruins might finally have a passing game and a mobile quarterback.
What I thought was going to be a long Bruins season suddenly turned into a season to look forward to. Why am I talking about UCLA? First of all, I'm a Bruins fanatic (especially in basketball) and secondly you gotta remember this: when you're in Pasadena you're in Bruins territory.
So bring on BYU! Bring on Fresno State! Bring on the Pac-10 and bring on those other guys on the other side of town!!!
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About this blog
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
Is there any way the lucky Bruins can beat the "unbeatable" University of South Sentral Trojans????
One response to that question...2006, 13-9 over the Trojans and Reggie Flop and no BCS Championship Gamne for the Condoms.
The kick off meant the differences in an almost loss when the Bruins were up in the fourth qrt. I believe the kick off was about 30 yards. Which, allowed T to tie the game at 24. Come'on special teams kicker and staff. Dont allow the team to get the ball in mid field and allow their offense to just throw a few passes and place them in field goal range. Once you are up by 3 with less than a minute to go in the game, you must tell kicker to kick it in the end-zone or just inside the 10 yard line. Whew, that almost cause the Bruins the game.
Just a thought
SC FAN
DAWWGER
Dude regardless of who you're with (Freddy or not)you never ever leave early. Dodgers, Angels, USC, UCLA or KEPPEL - GANESHA you always stay til the end!
Everybody is ready to annoint Norm Chow and Ricky Nueheisel. Puhhhhh-leeeeze. First of all, Tennessee was ranked based on recruits, and nothing more, their offense is just as horrible as UCLA's and there defense is just as suspect. Everybody please stop riding Bruin's sack. They cant even begin to see ASU or Cal, let alone Oregon. We wont even bring SC up, because there in a league of their own. SC defense is better than 40% of the pro teams. maybe more. I was at the game, and i must say, UCLA cannot win without, throwing the long ball. Throwing it underneath on every play will be scouted faster than you can spell Mt. SAC. Kraft has A LOOOOOOOOOONGGGG way to go before he can see the like of a Trojan defense. but it was an entertaining game, to see 2 sub-par teams grind it out.
First of all, STOP BEING A TYPICAL LOS ANGELES FAN AND STAY UNTILL THE CLOCK READS 0:00, as part of your NEW job you are to STAY UNTIL THE END....Okay, now that the scolding is over, GO BRUINS!!!! what a game, I had to pry myself out of the Rose Bowl, I didn't want to leave it was so exciting, a win, not just any win but over a RANKED team, over the mighty SEC.. I know it's early but, Go BRUINS BEAT S-, no still can't go there yet. 1 game at a time...
New York
Your are completely right ucla would be lucky to even score once on offense. USC has the best defense if seen from them in a long time taylor mays is an animal.
WAR TIME!!!!!
Miguel, I watched the game last night and i have to say i am still in a state of euphoria. Overall, this game was a total team effort and i admit that it reminded me of the Bob Toledo and Terry Donahue days. I guess it is true, when players have great coaches they are willing to battle till the very end and never give up for them (unlike the Karl Dorrell era)and make no mistake, the Bruins have the best coaching staff in the nation. How else can you explain a third string quarterback and a bunch of inexperienced freshman pulling off the miracle of the season thus far?
As a UCLA Alumni I am extremely proud of what transpired Monday night. Change is definitely in the air not only Westwood, Los Angeles, but the rest of college football. Ucla will return to football prominence and Neuheisel will lead the bruin nation there. Although this was only one game it meant the world to Coach Neuheisel and the UCLA program. It set the tone for what could be the beginning of a great ride for future bruin teams to come. All in all, i am excited about the program and it's future. Truth be told i have not felt that in a very long time. GO BRUINS!!!
P.S Thanks for representing and showing love for the blue and gold Miguel.
UCLA's win over Tennessee was awesome and speaks to the New PAC-10, a physical conference. The scary thing, though, is that UCLA probably would not beat USC's 2nd team, as of right now.