The UCLA-Washington game starts in about an hour, it’s a cool, clear night in Seattle, and the bleachers are just beginning to fill.
The chatter here is all about the two head coaches in tonight’s game, much more than they players whom they lead. Washington’s Tyrone Willingham is coaching his final game at Husky Stadium. His team is 0-9 and he announced that he will resign after the season a couple weeks ago. Don’t expect too much emotion from Willingham- he’s a stoic, military type, but this is still a meaningful night for him and his players, especially the seniors.
Rick Neuheisel is in a very different situation- returning to the field where he coached for four seasons before a messy exit. Washington fired Neuheisel in 2003, and replaced him with Willingham. This is Neuheisel’s first trip back to Seattle. His UCLA team is 3-6.
But it’s not all about Neuheisel and Willingham.
The UCLA players still haven’t won a road game this season. For a rebuilding group of players- athletes who are trying to buy into a ‘relentlessly positive- mantra- it would mean a lot to finally win a game in a hostile environment. The Bruins are also still hoping for a miraculous finish (wins against Washington, Arizona State and USC), that would send them to a bowl game.
For the Huskies, this is the last chance to give the students and local fans a win. After this the team travels to Washington State and Cal. And even though Washington State is a winable game, Washington’s players have to be feeling a lot of pressure about getting that first win. The Huskies are the only division I football team without a win this season.
Anyways, stay tuned, this should be one of the most interesting games of UCLA’s season, despite the complete lack of championship relevance.