Building Something Special

UCLA’s special teams have been magnificent the last two weeks, both games featuring key punt returns – Taylor Embree’s 31-yard return against Houston, Josh Smith’ s 45-yard return against Texas – and impeccable coverage on punts, including a forced fumble by junior linebacker Sean Westgate (Oak Park) on a punt early in the second quarter against the Longhorns that led to a quick Bruin touchdown.

“When you play in big games, your kicking game has got to put you in a position to win,” special teams coach Frank Gansz said. “Josh had a big return that put us in good position, the turnovers were huge, the one in early in the game set up the touchdown. The kids take a tremendous amount of pride in special teams, and it starts at the top with Coach Neuheisel; he does a great job of emphasizing it and letting me do what I have to do to get these guys ready to play.”