If A is greater than B and B is greater than C then A is greater
than C. Right? In the classroom maybe, but not on the gridiron.
Colorado State beat Colorado. UCLA beat Colorado State. But when
given the chance to complete the syllogism, the Bruins faltered,
falling 31-17 to the Buffaloes at the Rose Bowl Saturday.
"I thought there was no way we wouldn’t shut (Colorado)
down," UCLA senior cornerback Ricky Manning said. "Today was a test
to see how tough we were. We failed. That’s why we lost this
game. The defense couldn’t pass the test."
Although a majority of the curriculum featured rushing defense,
it was on the trick question that UCLA went blank. On their second
series of the third quarter, Colorado capitalized on excellent
field position at the UCLA 41 after Bruin senior quarterback Cory
Paus’ only interception of the night. Senior quarterback
Robert Hodge lateralled to senior wide receiver Barry Kunkel who
passed to an open Hodge in the right flat for a gain of 22 yards.
It was the senior Kunkel’s first offensive touch of his
career and Hodge’s first career reception.
"That was a good little play. We saw trick plays but that one
wasn’t on (the film). I guess that’s why it worked so
well," said UCLA sophomore strong safety Ben Emanuel II who tackled
Hodge.
The Bruins had expected trick plays after the Buffaloes 40-3
loss to USC last week. Although UCLA head coach Bob Toledo said
during the week that he knew Colorado would pull a fast one to
manufacture points, the Bruins did not look ready. On the drive and
the game, the Buffaloes had just enough on their cheat sheet to
balance the run.
Hodge’s reception put the Buffaloes at the UCLA 12 where
Colorado junior running back Chris Brown rushed five yards until he
was taken down by Bruins sophomore free safety Matt Ware and backup
junior linebacker Dennis Link. Defensive coordinator Phil Snow had
the foresight to give the defensive backs tackling drills last week
in practice. Saturday, the Buffaloes taught another clinic as their
running backs broke into the secondary regularly.
"The big trick play really helped us there but what really won
the game was blocking up front and running the ball," Colorado head
coach Gary Barnett said.
On the following play, Brown shot down the middle for a
seven-yard touchdown to put Colorado up 19-7. On the day, Brown
rushed for 196 yards, helping the Buffaloes net 325 yards on the
ground.
Colorado went for the two-point conversion as Hodge rolled right
and tossed to wide-open junior wide receiver Derek McCoy in the end
zone. The Buffaloes had a 21-7 lead, quieting the crowd as they
made certain UCLA needed at least two touchdowns to win.
"We got behind Colorado and that was that," Toledo said. The
Bruins would never draw closer than that two score deficit, losing
31-17. A week after giving up 466 total yards, primarily through
the air, the defense allowed 471 yards, primarily on the ground,
exposing the youth of a Bruin defense that lost six starters, five
to the NFL.
"We have a freshman linebacker and two sophomore safeties. Next
time we’ll do a little more studying and pass the final,"
Manning said.
Classes don’t start until Thursday. But after getting
schooled by the Buffaloes, the Bruin defense’s education has
already begun.