Despite the disappointing end to their final season at UCLA, a
couple of Bruin seniors are not quite finished with their amateur
football careers.
Defensive end Justin Hickman and kicker Justin Medlock will both
compete in the East-West Shrine Game, a postseason game for
outstanding college seniors. They will both be playing for the West
team.
Hickman was tied for second in the nation in sacks this year
with teammate and fellow defensive end Bruce Davis. Both ends had
12.5 sacks. Their speed rush was integral to the resurgence of the
Bruins’ defense this year.
Medlock, who returned to the team this season after missing the
Sun Bowl last year because of suspension, made 28 of 32 field goals
this year and was ranked first nationally with 2.15 per game.
Although much of this was due to an offense that had trouble
scoring touchdowns in the red zone, Medlock was able to keep UCLA
in games simply through the strength of his left leg.
Hickman and Medlock are also the Bruins who have the best chance
of being drafted into the NFL this year. They were both named to
numerous All-American lists.
FINAL TALLY: The Bruins finished the year 7-6 after beginning
the season 4-1. After a midyear malaise with a four-game losing
streak, UCLA was able to finish fairly strong, winning three of its
last four games, including a monumental upset of then-No. 2
USC.
The Bruins were not able to capitalize on that victory, however,
losing their final game to Florida State in the Emerald Bowl,
44-27.
Next year, the Bruins should have an arguably easier schedule,
with the tougher games against Cal, Notre Dame and Oregon at home,
and the only non-conference road test being at Utah. After losing
just three starting seniors (Medlock, Hickman and center Robert
Chai), the Bruins are poised for a good year, with experienced
depth at nearly every position.
EMERALD BOWL RATINGS: With a matchup of marquee
names in UCLA and Florida State, the Emerald Bowl on Dec. 27 drew
record ratings for the bowl.
The 4.48 rating more than doubled the previous best for the
bowl, set in 2004 with a 2.2 rating.
The Emerald Bowl finished third in overall television ratings
for games televised on ESPN.
“We are ecstatic that this year’s game was seen by
so many fans nationwide,” said Emerald Bowl Executive
Director Gary Cavalli.
“The allure of having Florida State and UCLA was
everything we hoped it would be, and then some,” Cavalli
said.
The game was not the defensive struggle most were expecting,
however, with both offenses moving pretty well against each
other.