Junior strong safety Tony Dye brings down California’s junior wide receiver Coleman Edmond in UCLA’s 35-7 loss to Cal on Oct. 9. The Bruins next host Arizona on Saturday.
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel could be stranded in the middle of the Amazon. Or maybe he’s in a parking lot traffic jam on the 405 Freeway. Or maybe he’s trapped in quicksand.
All of these scenarios might be preferable to the state of his football team, but Neuheisel is as good as anyone at staying hopeful for a solution in these dire situations.
“We’re going to find a way out of this,” Neuheisel said.
All hypotheticals aside, his Bruins need to or else they will be in real danger.
UCLA (3-4, 1-3 Pac-10) is sliding fast after two straight demoralizing road losses, a 35-7 flop at California and then a nationally broadcast rout at No. 1 Oregon, 60-13.
But there’s no reprieve in sight as No. 15 Arizona (6-1, 3-1) visits the Rose Bowl this Saturday to try and push the home team further down in its uncomfortable depths.
Even worse, the Wildcats’ claws are perfectly positioned at the Bruins’ exposed wounds.
The UCLA offense has been sputtering in recent weeks and now will not have its starting quarterback, top wide receiver or starting left tackle for this weekend’s game. The Arizona defense, on the other hand, is one of the most talented in the country.
Two days after UCLA learned redshirt sophomore quarterback Kevin Prince’s exploratory surgery would end his season, it was announced that redshirt freshman wideout Ricky Marvray and redshirt senior left tackle Sean Sheller would be suspended for Saturday’s game.
“Obviously it’s a difficult time in our season,” Neuheisel said.
Arizona appears headed in the opposite direction.
Other than a two-point upset loss to Oregon State at home, the Wildcats have an unblemished record, and this traditional basketball school is making a concerted run for its first-ever Rose Bowl game appearance.
The Wildcats are anchored by a strong defensive front that ranks third nationally in rushing yards given up per game. They also like to sack.
The trio of defensive ends Ricky Elmore and Brooks Reed and defensive tackle Justin Washington are three of the four top sack leaders in the Pac-10, and all of them will be aiming at UCLA sophomore quarterback Richard Brehaut on Saturday.
The Bruins, on the other hand, have been sacked eight times in their last two games, a statistic they are not trying to let continue. Veteran Micah Kia will be filling in for Sheller on UCLA’s line.
“I’ve played against these defensive ends before,” said the redshirt senior offensive tackle. “They’re a tremendous defense. It’s going to be a real test.”
Jump-starting their passing game is of particular concern for the Bruins, especially if they get down early, as has been the case recently.
Neuheisel was not shy about discussing the importance of improving his team’s pass protection in achieving that goal.
“That’s our weakness,” he said. “There’s no question. There’s no hiding it. People who watch us understand that’s not what those kids are best at. It’s an issue especially when the down and distance gets backed up.”
On the other side of the ball, Wildcat junior quarterback Nick Foles, who injured his knee two weeks ago, is still a game-time decision according to coach Mike Stoops, but his replacement, Corona native Matt Scott, competed admirably in Arizona’s 44-14 domination of Washington last week. Either one will provide a threat to the Bruin secondary, which was easily roughed up in Eugene, Ore.
“They have two great quarterbacks, two great running backs, a great offensive line, and coach Stoops is doing a great job up there,” UCLA junior safety Rahim Moore said.
“They’re ranked for a reason, and their record says a lot about them.”
The Bruins do take solace in returning back to the friendly Arroyo Seco, especially after the hostile environment of the Ducks’ Autzen Stadium.
“I miss our fans,” junior safety Tony Dye said. “I miss the Rose Bowl. It’s a great place to play, so I’m excited to be back home.”
Playing back in Southern California certainly helps, but from where the Bruins are now, there’s still a long road to go before they find a way out of wherever it is they’re stuck.
With reports from Sam Strong, Bruin Sports senior staff.