Tuesday, October 15, 1996
NOTES:
Sun Devils take advantage of Bruins’ mistakes to secure winBy
Rob Kariakin
Daily Bruin Staff
Many people feel that the outcome of a game is determined by one
or two key plays. UCLA head coach Bob Toledo is not one of
them.
In the aftermath of Saturday’s loss to Arizona State, coach
Toledo on Monday suggested five or six critical plays that swung
the game for the Sun Devils.
The first came, conveniently enough, on ASU’s first play, when
Terry Battle ran back the Bruins’ kickoff 99 yards for a
touchdown.
"We did a horrible job of covering the kick," Toledo said. "We
probably will make some changes on the kickoff team.
"We’ve got young scholarship players on that team, that are not
doing as good of a job as they need to do, and we’re looking at
that right now."
Problems with the kicking game did not just end there. A blocked
field goal and a missed extra point (taken from the 18-yard line
instead of the usual three-yard line due to a penalty) cost the
Bruins four points.
Quarterback Cade McNown’s last minute interception also ranked
among Toledo’s deciding moments.
"We were trying to get in the game so we could score a touchdown
and go for two and maybe get an overtime," he said, "And we threw
the interception.
"Our receiver stopped running. Maybe he thought Cade wasn’t
gonna’ throw it that far."
A misplay by rover Wasswa Serwanga early in the fourth quarter
was another key. With the ball on the UCLA 23-yard line and the
cornerback in man-to-man coverage on ASU wide receiver Kenny
Mitchell, Serwanga was supposed to cover half of the field in case
of a long pass. When the pass came, Serwanga was not in his area
and Mitchell caught the ball in the corner of the end zone.
It marked the third time in many weeks that a UCLA rover had
made a similar mistake.
"That’s just bad fundamental football," Toledo said. "We’ve got
to make sure that we get that corrected."
Those four plays, Toledo felt, were the difference between what
happened and what could have been.
"And of course, the two fumbles were crucial," he said.
* * *
Most interesting quote of the game has to go to offensive
coordinator Al Borges. When asked how he felt about the loss,
Borges responded:
"I feel like a guy who had a marlin on the hook and battled him
for three hours, darn near got him in the boat, and he got
away."
* * *
Coach Toledo expressed his appreciation of the crowd at
Saturday’s game.
"(The fans) were very supportive and our team played to that.
They really felt excited about it, felt good about the enthusiasm
in the stands. And that really helped our football team."
* * *
Saturday’s Injuries:
Tailback Skip Hicks injured his shoulder when he straight-armed
a would-be tackler and was kicked in the head while trying to
recover his fourth-quarter fumble. However, he is not expected to
miss any time.
Defensive end Darren Cline suffered a sprained ankle and may
stay out for two or three weeks.
Linebacker Phillip Ward also sprained his ankle. However, the
injury is less serious than Cline’s so Toledo is hopeful that he
will be able to play this weekend against Washington.
Strong safety Abdul McCullough suffered the worst injury,
breaking a bone in his right wrist. He will likely be forced to
wear a cast for the remainder of the season, but is not expected to
miss any of the games.
STEVE KIM/Daily Bruin
Shawn Williams (#32) attempts to sack ASU quarterback Jack
Plummer (#16).