BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! Unbelievable game on Saturday, one that may never be surpassed in the UCLA/USC rivalry given the overwhelming circumstances involved (7 year losing streak, almost 2 td underdog, Trojans needing a win to play for the national championship, UCLA’s inconsistent season and criticism of the coaching staff). A few observations and thoughts about the day at the Rose Bowl and its shocking outcome:
- USC’s football program and its fans are way too arrogant. In the parking lot, where the ratio seemed to be 50% Trojans, it was obvious that their fans felt there was ZERO chance of their team losing. They were louder, they were brasher. After the game, most USC fans were mute and some were very angry - they just fell off their high horse (pun intended). Or they were just confused, not sure of which bandwagon they were going to jump on next.
- UCLA fans were surprisingly optimistic before the game. From the 570 radio crew to the old guy who gets the crowd to cheer during the games “the Every man, woman and child” guy, the Bruins didnt seem too worried.
- Our defensive ends were too quick. 3 false starts, and although there was only 1 sack, Booty had to step up in the pocket and never got comfortable.
- The Rose Bowl has never been louder. Great crowd and the energy was unbelievable.
- The staredown. Classic moment. We were not afraid of this team. The crowd was into it and it gave us hope.
- Patrick Cowan and Marcus Everett were huge on offense. Cowan had a few huge runs on the first TD drive and the two hooked up on some HUGE plays that kept drives going. Also, Cowan took the hit of the year (by Malueangnasumaasa), bounced right back up and brushed it off his shoulder. This exemplified our team on this day - take your best shot and we still here.
This could be THE most exciting time to be a Bruin. Here’s why: We had a great, exciting football season last year, including huge comebacks agasint Stanford, Wash St, and Cal. Our basketball run from last year was amazing - we went from hoping to come in the top 3 of the Pac 10 to going to the Final Four. And now, after what was looking like a lost season, the football program pulled off the biggest upset in school history.
After being at last years Cal football game, the Gonzaga Sweet 16 game, and then the LSU game at the final 4, I really didnt think it could get much better. Then came Saturday. Both programs have gone from the lowest of lows (Lavin era for bball, Notre Dame game , etc) to the highest of highs. We are #1 in the country for basketball and our program is stronger than ever, and we just won for the first time in 8 years against the evil Trojan empire. And after going to the UC Riverside game and seeing their fans root for their team in a 30 pt blowout to the #1 team in the land, it just reaffirms that it’s pretty nice to be a Bruin right now. Let’s enjoy the moment.
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