True freshman Sheldon Price’s eyes lit up as another ball spiraled toward him.
With the game and perhaps the entire season on the line, the often-picked-on cornerback embraced the pressure. He welcomed it. He wanted it.
“This is your time to make a play,” Price said he remembered thinking to himself.
Price made a play, tipping a Jake Locker heave that sophomore safety Rahim Moore would intercept when the situation called for it. The interception sealed the Bruins’ 24-23 victory Saturday.
“I almost stopped, really,” Moore said.
Instead, Moore kept going and put an end to Washington’s last-minute drive with his NCAA-leading eighth interception of the season.
“It’s the best one I’ve ever had,” Moore said.
And it was the best play Price has made since filling in at cornerback for the injured Aaron Hester on Sept. 19.
“He’s going to be one of the best corners in this league,” coach Rick Neuheisel said. “To compete like that and get the ball tipped up where Rahim can come over and make the play, I thought was significant growth.”
Price had redemption on his mind after being victimized for a touchdown when Locker connected with a leaping Jermaine Kearse in the back of the end zone in the third quarter.
“Now having the experience, I’m able to make those plays,” Price said.
The Wildbruin
Redshirt freshman Milton Knox might have found a way to get on the field.
Knox was a new and steady contributor to the UCLA offense Saturday, lining up behind center and taking direct snaps in the Bruins’ version of the famed Wildcat formation.
“I came here wanting to play ball,” said Knox, who spurned offers from high-profile programs such as Florida, Notre Dame and Oregon to play in Westwood.
Knox rushed for 35 yards on seven carries against a Washington defense that seemed to be caught off guard by his speed and shiftiness.
“It loosened things up, and that’s what we needed to happen,” offensive coordinator Norm Chow said.
Neuheisel might have finally found a defined role for the 5-foot-8-inch Knox, who earlier this season was suspended for a violation of an unspecified team rule.
“I’m thrilled for Milton,” Neuheisel said. “To impact the way he did was terrific.”
Knox said, “I was able to get past the suspension and make big plays in practice. I had to earn my way back.”
He added, “I’m hoping to make big plays in the future.”
1967 all over again
The Bruins honored Gary Beban, UCLA’s lone Heisman Trophy winner, by wearing 1967 throwback jerseys Saturday. Beban, who also was the team’s honorary captain, won the Heisman that year.
To complete the look, UCLA used decal-less helmets and wore black cleats instead of the customary whites with blue and gold trimming.
“I was looking around at everybody, and I was like, “˜Man, we do look old school,'” Moore said.