Friday, November 20, 1998
Father-son rivalry revels in rich UCLA-USC history
FEATURE: Linebacker Nece’s relation to All-Pro safety Lott
perpetuates crosstown bond
By Rocky Salmon
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
On Saturday, UCLA and USC will square off in a game where there
are numerous crosstown connections between the players and
coaches.
Many players have had relatives who played for the opposing
team.
UCLA’s Ryan Nece is no exception.
In his first season at UCLA, Nece has become a wrecking ball out
on the field.
When Ramogi Huma went down with an injury, the linebacking corps
was depleted. Nece and freshman Robert Thomas were the last line of
defense. The position was supposed to rotate between the two young
players, but Nece stepped up, just like his father did at USC.
Nece is the son of All-American Trojan, Ronnie Lott.
Lott was an All-American in 1980, accumulating eight
interceptions before making the trip to the NFL, where he was an
All-Pro.
This was the same Ronnie Lott who was coached by current USC
head coach Paul Hackett and UCLA head coach Bob Toledo.
Lott played from 1976 to 1980, while Hackett and Toledo coached
together at USC for three years from 1976 to 1978.
Now, Hackett will end up facing Lott’s son, who has become just
as fierce as dad, but in a different position. USC did not recruit
Nece, but UCLA did. They were grateful when Nece made the switch
from safety, his father’s position, to linebacker.
But the differences end there.
Lott has helped Nece understand the game and has taught Nece
about intensity on the field.
"Linebackers have to make a big hit," Nece said. "My dad said
you have to take your chances and play like a madman.
"That was the type of player he was, and I learn bit by bit from
him and transferred it to the field."
Nece and Lott both play football to win and for respect.
"We want the fans and the teams to respect us when we are out on
the field," Nece said.
So when the teams meet, the rivalry flares up. So far, Nece has
been able to gloat.
"The whole situation is ironic. I just hope we can keep winning
so I can keep rubbing it in my dad’s face, said Nece. "We have
extreme passion for the game and that is why the rivalry is fun for
us."
Nece has taken that passion straight to the gridiron and has
racked up four sacks and 58 tackles, with 40 being unassisted. He
has played so well that Robert Thomas has not seen the playing
field that much.
"I have tried to put Thomas in the game, but Nece is playing so
well that we can’t afford to have him out of the game," Toledo
said. "He was one of the biggest surprises coming out of spring
camp."
This Saturday when he lines up against USC, he will be
continuing an endless cycle of crosstown connections.DERRICK
KUDO/Daily Bruin Senior Staff
UCLA linebacker Ryan Nece is the son of former USC
All-American safety and NFL All-Pro Ronnie Lott.
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