Neuheisel ON:

On the matchup:
“It was good for our team to get a chance to meet Temple, get to meet the opponent, and realize how proud they are of their accomplishments. It was clear they’re a very prideful organization that is looking forward to this contest, as are we.”

On Kevin Prince’s rocky season:
“It’s been an unbelievably big-time learning experience as a freshman. To have all that happen to you in a freshman season is unique. He’ll grow from it by leaps and bounds. Hopefully he’s got a great game in him.”

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EagleBank Bowl Preview

There is a hunger lurking in the depths of the UCLA Bruins.

It is a strange feeling, this gnawing in the pit of their stomachs, which sank to further depths last season as they lost five, six, seven and ultimately eight games, their season aborted, a bowl bid becoming only a fleeting whisper.

Likewise, there is a hunger deep down in the hearts of the Temple Owls.

It is a strange feeling, this famine that has spread across three decades, seemingly with no end in sight, 30 years worth of lonesome Decembers, a bowl bid so far in the distance that players could book their flights home during spring ball.

And yet here they stand, the Bruins and the Owls, battling today at 1:30 p.m. in the EagleBank Bowl at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. One program back in the postseason after a one-year drought that felt like an eternity. One program back in the postseason after a 30-year drought that was an eternity.

“Thirty years is a long time, so I understand their hunger and where they’re coming from,” UCLA senior cornerback Alterraun Verner said. “But also, we have high expectations for ourselves and for our program. We’re hungry to establish ourselves again as a team that deserves to be in a bowl every year. “Yeah, they’re very hungry, but I think we’re hungry in a different way.”

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A couple notes

UCLA All-Americans Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Chris Horton (Washington Redskins) will serve as UCLA’s Honorary Captains for the EagleBank Bowl.

Alterraun Verner, Reggie Carter and Ryan Moya have accepted invitations to play in the 85th East-West Shrine Game. The game will be held Jan. 23, 2010, in Orlando, Fla., kicking off at 3 p.m. EST.