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."
Westgate needs to be on as many special teams as possible. The kid is a playmaker.
Sean sure knows where the ball is and how to strip it. Great motor and great football sense.
Why do you keep mentioning (Oak Park) in conjunction with Westgate? What does it mean?
Oak Park is where he's from ese.
Westgate reminds me of a great American and one of my heroes, the late Pat Tillman.
OK, but Jon's not mentioning where other guys are from...where's Embree from? Where's Smith from?