When Tab Perry lit up Reser Stadium for 145 yards last Saturday,
he had little to say.
“We kept the chains moving, that is our goal on
offense,” he said softly after the Bruins’ 43-35 win
over the Beavers. “I told myself I wasn’t going to let
my teammates down.”
He sounded only remotely like the junior wide receiver who, four
weeks earlier, said: “I’m not going to give Colorado
State respect, they have to earn it.”
Perry got his come-uppance on game day when he fumbled a kickoff
return and Fox Sports Net, which televised the game, quoted him.
UCLA head coach Bob Toledo had already made him apologize for the
comment. To be fair, the comment was made in response to his
sentiment that no one gives UCLA respect this season.
Braggadocio has long been the province of receivers, but Perry
has always been respected as a hard worker rather than a big
talker. Last year Perry gained 416 yards for a 19.1 yard per-catch
average despite missing two and a half games with broken ribs and
suffering a concussion earlier in the season. He came into this
year a second-year starter at flanker with big-play ability and his
jersey on sale in Ackerman Union.
“It was just that my confidence level was a lot higher
than it used to be. To be a good player you have to have that
confidence; not be cocky but be confident,” Perry said.
Maybe it was the universe sending him a message when he averaged
42 yards a game in the first four games, never catching more than
three balls.
“Some of the things I said in the past, I paid for it in
other games,” Perry said.
Having paid the price, Perry was rewarded for his newfound
humility and same old talent. At Oregon State, Perry was the
second-leading receiver after senior tight end Mike Seidman,
connecting with senior quarterback Cory Paus seven times.
“Every defense gives you something different,” said
Toledo. “I’ve seen signs of Perry having this kind of
game.”
In the second quarter, on third-and-11 from the UCLA 42, Perry
made a diving 25-yard catch. He palmed the ball in one hand and
held on for the conversion that helped set up a field goal for
UCLA’s first points of the day.
“Our receivers responded well. These were the best corners
we had played to date and they were in bump coverage which is a
challenge to a receiver,” wide receivers coach Ron Caragher
said.
He finished with a 34-yarder after a UCLA penalty in the fourth
quarter. On second-and-13, Perry caught the ball near the original
line of scrimmage and used his 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame to shed
the first tackler.
“Everyone knows Tab is able to have games like this at any
time,” sophomore wide receiver Craig Bragg said. “Today
was his day to shine.”
And deflect the spotlight.
Ңbull;Ӣbull;Ӣbull;
Sophomore free safety/corner Matt Ware is listed as the starter
at corner for the second week in a row. If only there were another
Matt Ware to play safety. Sophomore safety Ben Emanuel got a
stinger in his neck at Oregon State and has not practiced in
contact drills since. If he does not start this weekend, sophomore
Jibril Raymo or senior Kevin Brant will get a chance.
“I’m going to play,” Emanuel assured.
Ware practiced at both safety and corner this week. At Oregon
State, the secondary showed its age, or lack thereof.
“(True freshman Jarrad) Page made some mistakes. He has to
learn and he will,” Toledo said.
Ңbull;Ӣbull;Ӣbull;
Junior defensive tackle Rodney Leisle had surgery on his
fractured foot yesterday. Toledo said the surgery was successful
and Leisle will be out for five weeks.