BERKELEY “”mdash; It’s incredible how much things can
change in one year.
Last year, it seemed as if no matter what situation the UCLA
football team found itself in, it would find a way to win the
game.
If the Bruins were behind and there was the slightest
possibility they could come back in the fourth quarter, they
executed and got the breaks. If the team was competitive at all in
the game, it won.
After watching the game at Berkeley this past weekend, it would
be easy to look at the fact that the Bears had a 25-point lead in
the fourth quarter and conclude that the Bruins are simply a much
worse team. You can look at the 2006 Bruins’ 4-5 record and
easily infer that this team is just not very good.
SLIDESHOW
Click here to see more photos from the game against Cal
Saturday.
But the fact of the matter is, this team has been competitive in
every game it has played, save a couple of brief bad stretches in
games. But the Bruins just can’t find a way to come out on
top. They just can’t cash in on opportunities when they have
them.
The Cal game epitomized the Bruins’ struggles this
season.
A combination of frustrating penalties, untimely drops and bad
throws; a Cal punt return; and ““ most surprisingly of all
““ missed field goals all added to the Bruins’ demise
against the Bears.
The Bruins had no trouble moving the ball the entire game. And
they didn’t do a terrible job on defense when you consider
what Cal has been doing offensively all season long.
But when crunch time came and it mattered the most, the Bruins
just didn’t execute. Had they been able to eliminate half of
those mistakes, the outcome may have been different.
I hate looking back on what could have, should have or would
have happened in games. I’m always one for moving on. But
this team makes it so hard not to dwell on what could have been if
only…
And what is even more frustrating is the variety. Whereas last
year’s team found any way it could to win, this year’s
team seems to find any way it can to lose.
The problems that have plagued the Bruins in past games this
season were not problems against Cal. The coaching staff did a very
good job of calling plays (the first UCLA touchdown play was an
especially great call) and did a pretty good job of managing the
clock and giving the team a chance to win throughout the game.
Ironically, the Bruins even had all three of their time-outs at the
end of the fourth quarter.
And the Bruins’ passing and running games were
consistently great throughout the game. It looked like a totally
different offense.
But two interceptions, a dropped touchdown pass, two missed
field goals and a punt return undid all of the positives and sent
the Bruins home in despair.
So as dumb as it is to say this now, I’ll say it anyway.
The Bruins could have won every single game they’ve played
this year. They could have won the game against Cal, which was, on
paper, their least-winnable game on their schedule.
There isn’t anything specific you can point out to explain
why this team isn’t winning. And if you look into the
players’ eyes and listen to what they say at the end of
games, you know the will is there. These guys want to win more than
anybody else.
But for whatever reason, this team just hasn’t had what it
takes to win this season. The aura from last year simply
hasn’t carried over.
If that aura doesn’t return quickly, the Bruins
won’t play in a bowl game this year.
E-mail Azar at bazar@media.ucla.edu.