As far as most rivalries go, there is always next year, another
chance to accomplish the perennial goal of beating the hated
ones. But for 17 UCLA seniors, there are no more chances. After a
five-year drought, none of the 17 seniors have been able to achieve
the glory for which they came to Westwood ““ the sweet feeling
of victory over the Trojans. “It’s extreme bitterness
and frustration,” senior Dave Ball said. “Honestly, I
feel like I’m a curse to this team. Someone cursed the Class
of 1999 or something. Each year, something has happened, and we
lose. It’s like there’s a big voodoo doll or
something.” Ball is certainly no curse to the team, as he is
one of the best defensive ends in the Pacific 10 Conference and
leads the nation in sacks with 16.5, but he co-captains a team that
has suffered heartbreak for too long. Upon arrival, the fifth-year
seniors like Ball saw a Bruin team that had dominated the series,
winning the previous eight games against USC from 1991 to 1998. Now
as the pendulum swings, the Trojans have risen from the ashes under
the guidance of coach Pete Carroll and dominated the rivalry.
“It’s kind of numb right now,” senior defensive
end Mat Ball said. “It kind of feels like it didn’t
happen. It feels like, you live with never winning against
‘SC. Every time you flip on the UCLA-‘SC game
you’ll have memories, but they’ll all be bad.”
“It’s definitely going to bug me ““ it’s
going to eat me alive,” senior linebacker Brandon Chillar
said. “One of the biggest parts of coming to UCLA is you want
to beat USC. I was told that on my recruiting trip here. It’s
disappointing. This is not what I envisioned doing when I came
here.” The disparity between the two programs has grown
greater with every season and USC is now a likely candidate for the
Sugar Bowl, while UCLA hopes to simply receive an invitation to any
bowl. But the Bruins hope this will be a turning point with rookie
coach Karl Dorrell at the team’s helm. “Coach Dorrell
is going to show you guys stuff,” Dave Ball said, close to
tears. “He’s going to show you guys, and this coaching
staff is excellent. They’re going to turn it around, believe
it or not. They’re going to get players. The old ways are
out. “Mediocrity is going to go. This is the last year of
mediocrity. I’m telling you right now. It’s
disappointing not being able to join in, but it had to stop
somewhere and it’s going to stop with us.”
INJURY REPORT: Free safety Ben Emanuel left the
game in the second quarter after straining his groin while covering
USC receiver Mike Williams. Emanuel, who was on crutches after the
game, will be re-evaluated this week. UCLA will take this week off
from practice and will resume in several weeks for bowl
preparations if the Bruins receive an invitation.