Marcus Everett knew the receiving corps would need to come up
big in order to pull off the biggest upset in college football, so
he went out and led by example. The junior wide out made several
big plays in crucial moments in the second half, extending Bruin
drives en route to the team’s 13-9 upset over No. 2 Southern
California. With quarterback Pat Cowan forced out of the pocket
several times, Everett became the primary target, shaking free and
finding holes in the defense in critical stages of the game.
“I’m just happy I got the opportunity to make some big
plays,” Everett said. “I studied film all week on their
corners, and I knew what I could get them with.” Everett
finished with five catches for a respectable 72 yards. All but one
of those receptions came in the second half as the team was able to
get into the red zone and take the lead back. During a crucial
stretch in the third quarter, Everett made two big receptions for
first downs, setting up a Justin Medlock field goal to put the
score to 10-9. In the fourth quarter, UCLA was pinned back deep
into its own territory and after a short rush, a holding penalty
and an incomplete pass, it looked as if the Bruins would be forced
to punt the ball back, giving the Trojans good field position.
However, on the ensuing third-and-long, Everett made a solid grab
for 21 yards, successfully extending the Bruin drive that
eventually ended in another Medlock field goal. “I knew it
was going to come down to the receivers, for us to make some big
plays,” Everett said. “We knew that if we finished, we
could beat ‘SC.”
VERNER COMES THROUGH: USC’s All-American
wide out Dwayne Jarrett probably looked at UCLA true freshman
Alterraun Verner and thought he was going to have a field day. But
Verner had other things in mind. He continued his stellar play this
season by shutting down the potential first-round NFL Draft pick
Jarrett, who finished with just four grabs and ““ most
importantly ““ no touchdowns. “They didn’t go to
him much this game, and I think it was because we played good
coverage and our defensive line put pressure on Booty all
day,” Verner said. “Once we got into the game, they
knew I wasn’t going to lay down for them.”
MACE NOTES: As the game ended, UCLA students
who attempted to get onto the field were pepper-sprayed by police
officers. According to second-year student Matt Ross, students
stopped trying to rush the field when they were met by security
guards and police with pepper spray, but were pushed over a short
fence and onto the field by students from behind. “(A) cop
saw me falling on my face, and instead of trying to help me up, he
held me down by the shirt and pepper-sprayed me in the face,”
Ross said.