The defining moment in Saturday’s 34-6 disappointing loss to Oregon State can’t be found in the box score. It won’t be shown on a highlight reel. It didn’t even happen on the field.
It was a high five.
With 7:05 remaining in the first half, Bruin quarterback Kevin Craft fumbled the ball deep inside UCLA territory, leaving Oregon State 8 yards from a touchdown.
When Craft came to the sideline, frustrated coach Rick Neuheisel proceeded to yell at him. The animated coach pointed, gestured and even turned a light shade of red. But after berating Craft, Neuheisel quickly extended his hand and offered his struggling signal-caller a high five.
It was a microcosm of the game. Of the season.
Frustration followed by relentless optimism.
Berate quarterback. Give him a high five. Suffer through a brutal loss. Address the student body, and urge them to stick with the team because the situation will improve.
Anything to keep the passion bucket full.
That moment captured it better than any touchdown or statistic. (On the next play, UCLA recovered a fumble.) The program is in a painful transitional season to something bigger.
Of course, now, at the darkest hour, is not the time to turn on the team, the players and the coaches. Cries of “Chow is overrated” and “Why doesn’t Neuheisel play Forcier?” abound.
Really?
This is like the Detroit Lions fans turning on their team after they started 0-7. What were we expecting? The limitations of this year have been well-documented, and as former Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green once waxed, “They are who we thought they were.”
There are numerous weaknesses on this Bruins squad. But no team, no matter how talented, can win games when they are manhandled at the line of scrimmage. Even the talent-laden Dallas Cowboys, a squad of pro-bowlers, fall apart when the line doesn’t block anyone.
As Neuheisel put it after the game, “We’re not able to sustain the line of scrimmage. … (It’s) a difficult place for us.”
The line of a scrimmage is the foundation of an offense. When it’s “a difficult place” for a team, it’s not a good sign. Try doing yoga without a spinal cord.
In defense of coach DeWayne Walker’s defense, even USC didn’t fare much better against the Beavers’ Super Rodgers Bros., James and Jacquizz. The two siblings torched USC for 252 yards from scrimmage and amassed 268 against UCLA on Saturday. Sometimes the other team just has great players.
Despite this season’s struggles, the future is still promising. Outside of a few defensive players and the kickers, the bright spots on the team have been skilled freshmen such as Taylor Embree and Derrick Coleman. They will be joined by a solid recruiting class next year. Perhaps, most importantly, the offensive line will be better next year. It simply has to be.
Next fall, Rick Neuheisel will be coaching a more capable team.
In the meantime, he will remain relentlessly positive. Remain passionate. Yell. Instruct. Then throw out a high five.
The team could use one from its fans too.
If you think the football team needs a high five, e-mail Taylor at btaylor@media.ucla.edu.