Ultimately, UCLA senior safety Tony Dye determined that two games were more important than 12. Maybe even 13.
Dye’s decision to return this season despite missing seven games – a choice that would eliminate the option of a redshirt season – was made with one thing in mind.
A potential Pac-12 championship.
“We had long family discussions about that, but the fact of the matter is I’m a competitor and I really want to be a part of this opportunity I have right now,” Dye said. “Coming back would’ve been an amazing thing, to get to come back with my teammates, but I want to spend the time I have with them right now and try to be Pac-12 champs.”
UCLA can win the South division with wins over Colorado on Saturday and USC on Nov. 26, and Dye wants to be a part.
That he’s missed so much of what was expected to be productive senior season only makes him want it more.
After leading the Bruins with 96 tackles as a junior, Dye had 19 tackles before being sidelined with a pinched nerve in his neck after the team’s 49-20 Week 3 loss to Texas at the Rose Bowl. He had been expected to miss the entire season and was thought to be able to return for the 2012 season, but the pain and numbness subsided recently, and Dye fought to get back on the field.
“I thought my timeframe on being back on the field was perfect the way we did it,” Dye said. “Last week was the first time I felt like I was good to go, good to run. Put me in the red just to be safe.”
Dye returned to practice fully on Tuesday and inserted right back into the starting defense. His presence had already been felt with the maturation of fellow safeties Tevin McDonald and Stan McKay – Dye said he served as a “bridge between coaches and players since I’ve been out” – but he said he’s relieved to make it known on the field, even if he wasn’t sure it would happen.
“The last few months have been rough, I’ll tell you that,” Dye said. “Just watching from the sideline, win or loss, just knowing you could be out helping. Unfortunately as competitive I am, I can’t lose at anything or I’m growing home crying – it’s a terrible thing, a real depressing thing. Luckily, I had the opportunity to get back in pads – I didn’t feel like I’d be back this year.”
Jefferson returns
UCLA redshirt freshman cornerback Anthony Jefferson has seen his practice time increase in recent weeks as he returns from August back surgery to correct a bulging disk. With this season essentially a moot point, Jefferson is just trying to build toward next season.
“It was definitely important to me to return this year,” said Jefferson, who also missed nine games last season with a broken foot and received a medical redshirt. “I’ve been out the past year with surgeries, so I thought it was very important to make sure I start now and play whatever role they want me to do. I want to carry everything I’m doing now into the offseason.”
Bumps and Bruises
Senior running back Derrick Coleman (hip) practiced fully on Tuesday and should be fine for UCLA’s matchup with the Buffaloes on Saturday. … Sophomore safety Alex Mascarenas (head) returned to practice in a red jersey.