8) Perhaps NOW some people will realize just how good that UCLA defense is. It went into today's game #1 in the nation in preventing 3rd down conversions and #4 in sacks. It was one of the fastest defenses I've ever seen and new DC DeWayne Walker is now the hottest assistant coach around here since Norm Chow. USC's all-time record of 63 consecutive games scoring at least 20 points ended in a crashing thud. The Trogs managed just one TD and their defense scored a safety to account for all of their points. USC's leading receiver for this game was Fred Davis...not Dwayne Jarrett, not Steve Smith, not Chris McFoy...Fred friggen Davis. Wowza... Many of the starters on that defense are freshmen or sophomores who improved steadily throughout the year, despite following an offense that often failed to move the ball and that was riddled with major injuries and having a head coach who finally fired some of his old buddies and brought in some help that knew what they were was doing... Something should also be said about Bruin QB Patrick Cowan. This was one of the guttiest performances by a UCLA QB since Norman Dow beat #1 Michigan State in the Rose Bowl in relief of Heisman winner Gary Beban. Cowan is NOT one of those glamour, HSAAs that the Bruins usually have waiting in line. He didn't even get on the field until his senior year at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower. After that, NOBODY wanted him. His only scholarship offers were from Sacramento State and UCLA. The only reason that the Bruins even knew about him was because his older brother was on the team. He took every hit and never flinched. He ran the offense well enough to outscore a team filled with more former HSAAs on their bench than his team had on their entire roster. Double wowza... This was the most painful possible outcome for the Trojans. Losing to Notre Dame doesn't really hurt them. They respect the Irish and consider themselves to be the equal of Notre Dame in every way. But UCLA is different...VERY different. As I've mentioned before, Bruin fans are among the worst that I've seen and they're on a single-minded crusade to ruin USC and make them miserable in any way they can. Today's game will fit their agenda nicely. For the next year, UCLA fans will torture their local brothers in emails, snail-mails, notes left on their cars, on their desks, and strange phone calls, as well as daily bombardments of their websites with foul-mouthed insults and vicious reminders of who the new top dog in town is... No one at Troy expected this. When they beat Notre Dame, they thought the season was over. They had already booked their hotel rooms and flights for Arizona. Now they're going to Pasadena where they won't be able to escape a constant barrage of in-yo-face nastiness from the locals...and that will only be the beginning... :twisted: I think I'll mosey on over to the Bruin/Trojan boards and observe the action. As Patton once said, "God help me, but I do love it so." ..............JO'Co
JO'Co, I only was able to watch the first half as I switched over to the Gator game at 6 o'clock. But from the kickoff I was impressed with UCLA, they were outplaying USC at ever turn. I did expect USC to get it together and pull the game out but it didn't happen. That last interception was amazing, and the tackle to stop USC going on 4th down late in the game was something also. I guess maybe UCLA is back also. So Mr Patton, keep us informed. :twisted: :twisted:
Hey.... <t>JO'Co isn't it amazing what a program can possibly do when it plays good defense? Are you listening Charlie Weis?<br/> <br/> How did you like my Houston kid Bruce Davis wrecking havoc off the corner Saturday. What this win must do for the Bruin program. WOW !!</t>
I enjoyed that game very much. I have no reason to dislike USC other than the fact they very much resemble a team I know from Austin in their belief that winning is their birthright. (excluding the good Doc Terry) It never hurts my feelings when those types go down! Yesterday was one of the best championship Saturdays we've had in in quite a while. Even my wife stayed around to watch most of the action.
Scott, I have every reason to dislike USC. Let me count the ways. :twisted: :twisted: I wonder what the armchair experts in the media and elsewhere are thinking who criticized ND's schedule for, among other reasons, its narrow victory over UCLA. Of course, we'll never know. Those types can never admit to "perhaps" being wrong. Whatever, the quality of this ND opponent was proven on the field yesterday.
I dislike OU!! I hate USC!! But Sooner Farkers are pretty good, seen in the crowd (maybe) last night.
8) The party didn't end in Westwood until sometime this morning... Today's LA Times had interviews with several Bruin players and they weren't too charitable. Freshman DB Alterraun Verner said that USC's players looked like they had begun to give up in the third quarter. He was backed up by many of his teammates who also suggested that the Trojans quit on the field. This was no doubt in retaliation for last year, when the Trogs ran up the score and laughed at them during the game, then suggested to the media that the Bruins had quit. The shoe is on the other foot now... The miracle interception was made by Eric McNeal, a Catholic school kid from Junipero Serra HS in Gardena. His father and other family members also played for UCLA, so this is an incredible memory for them... Smilin' Pete is doing most of the talking downtown and that's good. USC is hurting real bad over this one. How they could overlook UCLA is unbelievable... Bruce Davis from Houston did indeed have a career game. He spent more time in the Trojan backfield than Chancey Washington. The Trojans were held to just 55 yards rushing... :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: