It’s been about 10 years since I visited El Paso, Texas, and
though I don’t remember much about the city, I’m pretty sure
there’s more fun to be had in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve.
The Bruins will be back home for all the parties tonight, though
it’s safe to say their favorite celebration was one day earlier in
that western Texas town.
"New Year’s came early," senior cornerback Marcus Cassell said
after the Bruins’ Sun Bowl win. "This is definitely better than any
kind of party I can go to."
UCLA’s victory over Northwestern certainly didn’t generate the
buzz of other wins this season. After all, Drew Olson threw three
early interceptions, Maurice Drew sat out almost the entire game,
and the Bruin offense didn’t get much closer to the end zone in the
fourth quarter than a security guard at the nearby Mexican
border.
Still, it’s kind of fitting that a victory falling so close to
New Year’s didn’t turn out picture perfect or exactly match all the
expectations. For all the things that didn’t work out for the
Bruins on Friday, there still stands a 10th win on their record
that shows all the things that did. That alone makes the
festivities in El Paso hard to top.
"Nothing beats this,’ senior strong safety Jarrad Page said, and
it’s hard to argue considering how long it had been since the
Bruins finished the year on this kind of high note.
Looking back at UCLA’s experience at the Sun Bowl, it featured
all the things found at a traditional New Year’s bash that falls
short of the hype, but is still filled with fun.
There were moments of craziness, with Olson single-handedly
spotting the Wildcats a 22-point lead in the first quarter and then
helping his team erase it before halftime. There were party fouls
aplenty, with the Bruins whistled for three late hits and an
unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. And there were scenes of sheer
comedy, with Northwestern scoring two late-game touchdowns and
Brandon Breazell answering both of them by returning a pair of
onside kicks into the end zone.
"That was crazy, it was the exact same play," Page said. "I’ve
never seen that before. I guess you just have to expect everything
from this team."
More important than those single instances was the optimism
Friday’s game provided heading into the next year. A young and
beleaguered defense held its own for most of the contest against
one of the nation’s better offenses. Freshman Kahlil Bell and
sophomore Chris Markey each rushed for over 100 yards in Drew’s
absence. Heck, even the freshmen walk-on kickers were flawless with
standout Justin Medlock suspended.
"It’s something they can build off for next season,"
Cassell said.
The best part of Friday’s celebration, however, was its
occasion. It was a party for Karl Dorrell, who picked up his first
bowl win as a coach. It was a party for the senior class, which
finished its career at UCLA on a positive note. And it was a party
for the program as a whole, which reached the illustrious 10-win
mark.
"We’re sending this 2006 team into the future with a good vibe,
a good feeling about the program," Olson said. "There are so many
things that this win does besides boost our record."
When the Bruins return to Los Angeles, they will have plenty of
opportunities to party some more. Forgive them if they’re not that
enthused about ringing in the New Year though. They may just be
worn out from celebrating how great this last one has been.
With reports from Bruin Sports senior staff. E-mail Finley
at afinley@media.ucla.edu.