Jerry Neuheisel reflects on his big game in UCLA’s win over Texas

Jerry Neuheisel played the game of his life last Saturday at AT&T Stadium, leading a dramatic 20-17 comeback win against Texas and being carried off the field by his teammates.

With the health of Brett Hundley’s left elbow still a bit unclear, UCLA’s backup quarterback could take the field again at Arizona State next Thursday.

So when he stood in front of reporters on Wednesday, this was one of the first questions he heard: Do you go into this week thinking ‘I’m going to be the guy’? Well, he said, that’s how he and all backup quarterbacks prepare week in and week out — and if they didn’t, they probably wouldn’t do very well as starters.

Still, the redshirt sophomore admitted that, yes, throwing a 33-yard game-winning touchdown — and finishing with a final line of 23-of-30, 178 yards, two scores — has changed his mindset a bit.

“There’s a little bit of a newfound confidence,” Neuheisel said. “There’s always that bit of indecision, you know, ‘Can I do it or not?’ I got a little time last year, but my first real game experience came as a replacement against Utah. I got a snap over my head.

“That sets in a little bit of doubt, but to go in (against Texas) and for it to go as well as it did, it definitely sends a little bit of confidence your way.”