Placekicker Justin Medlock knows all too well the way field goal
kicking has played crucial roles in losses against Oregon for the
past two years. “I’ve watched the game tapes,”
Medlock said. “I know what happened.” Two years ago,
UCLA placekicker Chris Griffith’s 50-yard field goal attempt
dropped just short, as the Bruins fell, 21-20. Last year, Griffith
again had a chance, this time from 46 yards with two minutes left.
It was his missed extra point earlier in the game that was the
source of UCLA’s 31-30 deficit, but his chance to redeem
himself went wide left. After the latter event, Griffith was
benched. But while the previous two seasons have generated a lot of
controversy, aside from an early bump in the road against Colorado,
Medlock, a redshirt freshman, has quietly become a consistent and
dependable source of points. “I don’t mind not being in
the headlines, as long as I’m making field goals,”
Medlock said. “After I missed one in the Colorado game,
Griffith gave me a call and told me to stay calm and not get too
worried about it.” Medlock has converted 12 of 14 field
goals, including key field goals against Illinois, Arizona and Cal.
But Medlock, given the recent history of the UCLA-Oregon series,
appears to be looking forward to this Saturday’s game.
“This is the one game where I think I’ll really be in
the spotlight, “ Medlock said. “I’ve told all my
family and friends that I almost know for sure it’ll come
down to a field goal. And if it comes down to a chance to win with
me, I welcome the challenge and situation.”
BALL A LOMBARDI FINALIST: Defensive end Dave
Ball, who leads the nation with 13.5 sacks, was named a Lombardi
Award finalist on Tuesday. The award, which will be announced Dec.
10 in Houston, is given to the nation’s top collegiate
lineman. “The last couple of years, I’ve seen these
guys be dominant, and it feels weird to be one of those
guys,” Ball said. “I feel pretty fortunate.”
Ball’s other competitors are Oklahoma defensive tackle Tommie
Harris, Arkansas offensive tackle Shawn Andrews and Georgia
defensive end David Pollack.
INJURY REPORT: UCLA is close to returning to
full strength. Defensive tackle Rodney Leisle and Matt Ware, both
of whom made their returns against Washington State, will likely
play against Oregon. Leisle is still slightly hindered by his high
ankle sprain and was in for two plays against Washington State in
the first quarter, but did not return. “I was really
disappointed I only got to play those two plays,” Leisle
said. “But I felt really good today. I did just about
everything, and I expect to start.” Ware played in nickel
packages and will likely play even more against the Ducks, and
according to Dorrell, again looked good in practice. Additionally,
wide receiver Junior Taylor, who sustained a hip injury against
Washington State, is a little sore, but is expected to return
against Oregon. Among the other injuries, both Jarrad Page (knee
sprain) and J.D. Groves (ankle sprain) were held out of practice
Tuesday. Page returned to practice and should be ready to go
against Oregon. However, Groves’ injury appears to be more
serious, as he was held out again and will likely not play on
Saturday.
EXTRA POINTS: Paul Mociler has regained the
starting right guard spot, at least according to the depth chart,
anyway. Dorrell has said that Kevin Brown and Mociler will both
play at the position Saturday.