UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel’s first pass attempt at California’s Memorial Stadium was a touchdown.
Kevin Craft’s was an interception.
Thursday afternoon, Neuheisel recalled his first meaningful attempt as a quarterback, when he entered a game at Cal during his junior year and threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Dokie Williams. Unfortunately, the coach’s redshirt junior quarterback did not enjoy the same success on his first trip to Berkeley.
Craft did not complete a pass until the 11:05 mark of the first half, his sixth attempt of the game.
His ninth pass went for a touchdown, only he threw it to the wrong team. Cal returned the errant slant 69 yards for the score.
Craft would throw three more interceptions before he was replaced late in the game by backup Chris Forcier. Craft’s final stat line: 17-35, 206 yards and four interceptions. He has now tossed 11 interceptions and just seven touchdowns in eight games.
How bad was it Saturday?
The second longest pass UCLA completed all day was hurled by none other than Aaron Perez, the punter. It is never a good sign when the punter has a better day passing than the starting quarterback.
Suddenly, the biggest question for the Bruins heading into the bye week is not about bowl games or injuries but who will start as quarterback when they play Oregon State on Nov. 8?
Two weeks ago against Stanford, Neuheisel was ready to pull Craft, only offensive coordinator Norm Chow talked him out of it. Craft looked dejected on his final series against Cal before being replaced.
He has been a true Jekyl and Hyde quarterback all year. Only he has been more Hyde than Jekyl. This was his second four-interception performance of the year. The first was against Tennessee, and later he threw for only 81 yards against Arizona.
For the junior transfer, thrust into the spotlight by injuries, the struggles have become a dead-weight at times to an improving team.
Despite the lopsided 41-20 setback Saturday, UCLA was competitive for 50 minutes before California scored on a flea-flicker and another interception that sealed the Bruins’ fate.
This is not to throw Craft under the bus and paint tread-marks on his back.
It was not Craft who allowed 232 yards rushing (UCLA’s third consecutive game surrendering over 200 yards on the ground).
He was not burned on the flea-flicker in the fourth quarter.
He was not the reason UCLA mustered up a grand total of 16 yards rushing.
Craft’s toughness has been commendable, standing strong behind a struggling offensive line and bouncing back after every brutal hit. However, his play has oscillated like the stock market ““ all over the place, more down than up.
If this was indeed Craft’s last start, UCLA has a bevy of options at quarterback.
Forcier presents a running option and threw a touchdown pass in relief of Craft Saturday. Fifth-year senior Ben Olson, this year’s projected starter until sidelined by an injury, is practicing again. No doubt, a lot depends on how things go during the bye week.
Hey, if none of those work, we know the punter can throw a spiral.
If you have quarterback ideas, e-mail Taylor at btaylor@media.ucla.edu.