And now we know. UCLA can play.
For the second time this season, the Bruins knocked off a ranked opponent in the Rose Bowl, defeating No. 25 Fresno State ““ well, not quite.
From the opening kickoff this was a different team. The offense immediately engineered a seven-play, 65-yard drive culminating in the first offensive touchdown since opening night.
The Bruins ran for 234 yards, which is more than they accumulated in the first three games combined.
Terrence Austin was an electrifying all-purpose machine, with returns of 73 and 56 yards, and a 100-yard scamper that was nullified by a penalty. He even added a 20-yard run on an end-around.
The sum of all these parts was that Saturday felt like a victory, despite the result displayed on the Rose Bowl scoreboard.
UCLA entered this game with a litany of offensive questions, and Saturday provided answers. Perhaps most encouraging was another upgrade in the performance of the offensive line, evidenced not only by the gaping holes that led to 234 yards on the ground, but also by protecting Kevin Craft in the passing game. Craft was sacked only once all day.
Rick Neuheisel has stressed the big picture this season and remained optimistic after the game. It was a “difficult loss,” but the effort level “was fun to watch,” he said. Despite Derrick Coleman’s key fumble on UCLA’s last drive, Neuheisel quickly added, “He’s going to be a great player.” Coleman looked the part Saturday, averaging a robust 8.6 yards per carry.
But answers beget new questions, and now the spotlight will shine on defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker and the defense that needs to improve. With no pass rush and holes in the secondary, UCLA is allowing 37.5 points and over 400 yards per game.
Those holes in the defense mirror the holes in the stands. In an attempt to fill the empty seats ““ roughly 25,000 per game ““ UCLA’s marketing department took out an ad in the Fresno Bee targeting Fresno State fans. (A reported 15,000 Bulldog fans made the trip down Interstate Highway 5.) The Bruins who were upset by the marketing department’s efforts should perhaps be more upset at UCLA fans for not driving to Pasadena to fill the Rose Bowl stands themselves. When that other college team in Los Angeles plays at home, the stadium is full.
After all, that’s why Neuheisel was hired ““ to put a product on the field that will put people in the seats. Ironically, Saturday provided a glimpse at such a product.
So do not be confused by the final score of this game ““ the Bruins were big winners on Saturday. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this is a season where development is more important than wins ““ something the coaching staff has stressed constantly. UCLA displayed improvement for the second straight week and pushed a ranked team to the brink of defeat.
Sure, in the end the more experienced Fresno State team repeatedly converted on third down and manufactured a 17-play, behemoth of a drive to grind out the final 8:55 of the game. But in a back-and-forth game, UCLA held its own against a ranked team.
After 59-0 and a painful loss to Arizona, this was most certainly the victory the Bruins were looking for.
For those with ideas on how to fill the Rose Bowl, e-mail Taylor at btaylor@media.ucla.edu.