Pickin' Splinters » UCLA Bruins

This Date in College Football Belt History – October 4

Casey — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 05:50:56 +0000

October 4, 1975

Ohio State at UCLA

Coming off the tie with Air Force a week earlier, the 13^th ranked UCLA Bruins of coach Dick Vermeil stood 2-0-1 awaiting Woody Hayes’ 2^nd ranked, 3-0 Ohio State Buckeyes. Heisman Trophy winning, All-American RB Archie Griffin, Big Ten MVP QB Cornelius Greene & All-American OG Ted Smith, led the Buckeyes. Griffin rushed for 160 yards with a touchdown while Greene rushed for 120 yards with 2 touchdowns as Ohio State dominated the 1^st half & held on to claim their second Belt reign with a 41-20 win. UCLA opened the scoring after LB Ray Burks recovered a fumble by Griffin at the UCLA 27-yard line. The Bruins drove 73 yards in 7 plays with All-American QB John Sciarra throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to WR James Sarpy. The Buckeyes responded with a 10-play, 92-yard drive highlighted by 2 runs by Greene for a total of 50 yards. Greene carried the final 2 yards to tie the game at 7-7 but during the extra-point attempt, UCLA was called for a personal foul that was assessed on the kick-off. Kicking off from the UCLA 45-yard line, Ohio State’s P Tom Skladany recovered the on-side kick at the UCLA 34-yard line. The Buckeyes were in the end zone in 6 plays with RB Pete Johnson scoring the touchdown on a 3-yard run. On the next Ohio State possession, Johnson finished a 10-play, 65-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run giving the Buckeyes a 21-7 lead. Ohio State finished the half with an 11-play, 61-yard drive that took just 1:47 with Greene scoring on a 17-yard touchdown run for a 28-7 lead with 0:29 left in the half. Griffin scored on the Buckeyes’ opening possession of the 2^nd half on a 17-yard touchdown run as Ohio State extended the lead to 35-7. Ohio State’s PK Tom Klaban’s 34-yard field goal with 4:22 left in the 3^rd quarter gave the Buckeyes a 38-7 lead before UCLA started a rally. Sciarra’s 38-yard pass to Sarpy seemed to spark the Bruins as the drove 80 yards in 10 plays with RB Eddie Ayers scoring on a 2-yard touchdown run making the score Ohio State 38 UCLA 14 at the end of the 3^rd quarter. Early in the 4^th quarter, UCLA recovered a fumble by Greene at the Buckeyes’ 22-yard line. Ayers 1-yard touchdown run finished the drive as the Bruins closed to 38-20. UCLA’s CB Barney Parson intercepted Greene at the Ohio State 37-yard line as the Bruins continued the rally. They moved to the Ohio State 7-yard line before turning the ball over on downs but a short punt by the Buckeyes gave the Bruins the ball again at the Ohio State 44-yard line with just under 7 minutes to play. Ohio State’s LB Ken Kuhn intercepted Sciarra at the Ohio State 31-yard line & the Buckeyes drove for a 42-yard field goal by Klaban to squelch the rally. Greene finished with 98 yards passing with an interception while Sciarra threw for 134 yards with a touchdown but 2 interceptions. The Bruins finished the season 9-2-1; Pac-8 Co-Champs & ranked 5^th nationally while the Buckeyes finished 11-1, Big Ten Champions & ranked 4^th nationally. UCLA would play for The Belt again in 1976.

The College Football Belt

This Date in College Football Belt History – September 9

Casey — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 04:35:46 +0000

September 9, 1972

Nebraska at UCLA

In the first ever Belt match-up, champion Nebraska traveled to Los Angeles as 21-point favorites to defeat the UCLA Bruins. The top-ranked Cornhuskers coached by Bob Devaney were riding a 32-game winning streak while UCLA was coming off a disappointing 1971 season with a record of 2-7-1 in Coach Pepper Rodgers first season. Coach Rodgers installed & unveiled a new wishbone offense against Nebraska led by Bruins’ QB Mark Harmon. While the Cornhuskers were starting a new quarterback in David Humm, they still had Heisman Trophy winning, All-American WR Johnny Rodgers. UCLA stunned the defending Belt holders in the first-ever title defense with PK Efren Herrera hitting a 29-yard field goal with just 0:20 to play for a 20-17 upset of the Cornhuskers. Herrera hit a 27-yard field goal for the only points of the 1^st quarter. Early in the 2^nd quarter, UCLA’s DE Cal Peterson recovered a fumble by Nebraska’s RB Gary Dixon. On the next play, Harmon completed his first college pass — a 46-yard scoring strike to WR Brad Lyman giving the Bruins a 10-0 lead. Rodgers set-up the first Cornhuskers’ score with a 50-yard punt return leading to a 28-yard field goal by PK Rich Sanger. Late in the quarter, Nebraska drove 78 yards in 6 plays helped by a 42-yard pass interference penalty. Rodgers carried the final 11 yards for the touchdown to tie the game at 10-10 as the teams went to halftime. In the 3^rd quarter, UCLA’s CB Jimmy Allen intercepted Humm before returning the ball to the Nebraska 15-yard line. Five plays later, Harmon scored on a 2-yard touchdown run giving the Bruins a 17-10 lead midway through the 3^rd quarter. The Cornhuskers scored early in the 4^th quarter when Humm found TE Jerry List open on a 44-yard touchdown pass tying the game at 17-17 with 14:01 left in the game. UCLA’s defense was able to keep the powerful Cornhusker offense from scoring the rest of the game as they forced 5 turnovers in the game including 2 interceptions by Allen to keep Nebraska off-balance. The final Bruins’ drive covered 47 yards, including a critical 3^rd down completion from Harmon to TE Jack Lassner for 15 yards, before Herrera’s kick gave the Cornhuskers their first loss since October 11, 1969. Harmon finished with 65 yards passing with a touchdown & 71 yards rushing with a touchdown to lead the Bruins. Humm threw for 146 yards with a touchdown but 2 interceptions while Rodgers rushed for 43 yards with a touchdown & had 3 catches for 63 yards in the loss. The Bruins finished 8-3 for the season; ranked 15^th nationally while the Cornhuskers finished at 9-2-1, Big Eight Champions & ranked 4^thnationally. Nebraska would play for The Belt again in 1978.

The College Football Belt

All-Americans Taking The Super Out Of Super Size

Casey — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:00:54 +0000

By Paul Gotham

The hits just keep coming for the Golden Arches. It was bad enough when Morgan Spurlock released his documentary exposing the ills of fast food. Like any of us needed a movie to prove that a steady diet of Big Macs, fries, and Coke would lead to poor health. Did Spurlock really need to put himself through 30 days of three meals a day from McDonald’s? Wouldn’t fifteen have sufficed? Has anybody heard from Spurlock since the 2004 release? What kind of detox did he have to endure?

Back to the subject.

Yeah, we knew McDonald’s food was suspect, but now it looks like McDonald’s All-Americans are not all they are cracked up to be.

Once was a time when McDonald’s All-American on a resume meant a freshman was ready to contribute. Of recent years, if a program was honored enough to keep a McDonald’s All-American for a sophomore or junior season, it meant multiple wins in the NCAA Tournament. After this season’s results, a few teams might modify their recruiting channels.

A quartet of McDonald’s nominees couldn’t keep the long running Arizona Wildcat streak intact. The last time Arizona didn’t get an invite to The Dance, Ronald Reagan ruled the Oval Office. The Wildcats were to the NCAA Tournament what The Guiding Light was to day time television. Not that I am trying to compare the Wildcats to a soap opera. Or, am I? After all, there was that whole escapade with Lute Olson and Kevin O’Neill. Then came Olson’s recruiting gaffe.

Sean Miller walked into a tough situation in the desert. Maybe that’s why he could only get McDonald’s nominees Jamelle Horne, Lamont Jones, Kevin Parron, and D.J. Shumpert. Maybe that’s why Arizona finished 16-15 and 10-8 in the Pac 10 and out of the NCAA Tournament.

A coaching change and McDonald’s All-Americans nominees might not be the best example.

The UConn Huskies had their own share of problems this season. Health issues caused Coach Jim Calhoun to take a leave of absence. Upon his return, the Huskies looked ready to make a run. UConn bonked, and Kemba Walker and Alex Oriakhi could not do enough to merit their high school status. Jonathan Mandeldove is still getting a scholarship at Connecticut. That’s about it.UConn finished 17-15 and 7-11 in the Big East.

Is UConn going to the NIT?

UCLA and the NCAA Tournament go together like hamburger and cheese. Along with that comes the Bruins pick of the west coast crop – guys like Malcolm Lee, Jerime Anderson, and James Keefe. UCLA went 14-18 and 8-10. UCLA did not receive a mercy at-large bid like they did last year.

Arizona, UConn, and UCLA all pale in comparison to another school that has a stable of McDonald’s All-Americans.

North Carolina’s roster is loaded down with not one, not two, not three, four, five, or six. No, seven, count them seven Tar Heels have Ronald McDonald’s on the resume.

Ed Davis, Larry Drew II, John Henson, Dexter Strickland, David Wear, Travis Wear, and Tyler Zeller could not save the Heels from a 16-16 ledger.

Common logic says fast food lacks nutrition. Maybe it is time to consider that student-athletes who achieve early success aren’t necessarily ready to compete at a high level.

This Date in College Football Belt History – January 1

Casey — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:52:21 +0000

January 1, 1985 -For the first time in Belt history, the Fiesta Bowl was the site of The Belt championship battle. Coach Terry Donahue & the 14^th ranked UCLA Bruins at 8-3 met the 13^th ranked, 8-4 Miami Hurricanes of coach Jimmy Johnson. Miami had held The Belt earlier in the season having defeated Auburn in the opener but lost the title at Michigan two weeks later. This game featured 7 lead changes as both teams apparently left their defenses at home. UCLA’s RB Gaston Green, making his first career start, ran for 144 yards with 2 touchdowns while QB Steve Bono threw for 2 touchdowns & All-Pac 10 PK John Lee kicked 3 field goals including a 22-yarder with 0:51 to play in a 39-37 UCLA win. Green opened the scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run but the Hurricanes responded with a 34-yard touchdown run by RB Darryl Oliver & a 68-yard punt return by All-American WR Eddie Brown. When Miami’s QB Bernie Kosar found WR Brian Blades for a 48-yard touchdown pass it looked like the Hurricanes had the momentum with a 21-7 lead. Green broke loose for a 72-yard touchdown run & UCLA’s S Josh Shinnick tackled Miami’s P Rick Tuten in the end zone for a safety. Lee then hit field goals from 51 & 33 yards giving the Bruins a 22-21 halftime lead. In the 3^rd quarter, the Hurricanes got the lead back when PK Greg Cox hit a 31-yard field goal but UCLA retook the lead with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Bono to WR Mike Sherrard for the 29-24 Bruin advantage. In the 4^th quarter, a 33-yard touchdown pass from Bono to WR Mike Young pushed the lead to 36-24 but the Hurricanes were ready to rally. Miami’s RB Melvin Bratton got loose for a 19-yard touchdown run with 2:58 left & the Hurricanes defense held on the next UCLA possession. Kosar drove Miami 79 yards finding Bratton for the 3-yard touchdown pass giving the Hurricanes a 37-36 lead. With just 2:07 to play, Bono drove the Bruins 61 yards to the Miami 7-yard line setting up Lee’s field goal attempt. The drive was highlighted by Sherrard’s 28-yard reception to the Miami 11-yard line that replays showed should have been ruled out-of-bounds. Lee’s 22-yard field goal with 0:51 to play appeared to be the clincher but Kosar was not done. After completing two passes to the Miami 48-yard line, Kosar fumbled as UCLA’s NG Terry Tumey sacked him; Bruins LB Eric Smith recovered & UCLA ran out the clock. Bono finished with 243 yards passing with his 2 touchdowns while Kosar had 294 yards passing & Brown was held to just 4 catches for 54 yards, all in the 4^th quarter, for the Hurricanes. UCLA finished the season 9-3; ranked 9^th nationally while the Hurricanes finished 8-5 & ranked 18^th nationally in Johnson’s first season. Miami would play for The Belt again in 1987.

The College Football Belt

This Date in College Football Belt History – November 9

Casey — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:23:16 +0000

After losing The Belt earlier in the season to Washington, the 14^th ranked, 6-1-1 UCLA Bruins of Terry Donahue traveled to Tucson to try & claim it from the 6-2 Arizona Wildcats of coach Larry Smith. UCLA’s RB Gaston Green scored 3 touchdowns & the Bruins withstood a 4^th quarter rally by the Wildcats to take The Belt back to California with a 24-19 win. UCLA scored midway through the 1^st quarter on a 27-yard drive that was set-up by a mishandled snap on a punt attempt. Green scored on a 7-yard touchdown run giving the Bruins a 7-0 lead. Midway through the 2^nd quarter, UCLA drove 53 yards in 9 plays with Green again scoring on a 7-yard touchdown run for a 14-0 Bruins’ lead. UCLA’s All-American PK John Lee hit a 39-yard field goal with 2:38 left in the half & the Bruins took a 17-0 lead to intermission after having held the Arizona offense to just 26 total yards in the half. Midway through the 3^rd quarter, Arizona’s special teams set-up the Wildcats’ first score when S Chuck Cecil blocked a punt out of bounds at the UCLA 7-yard line. The Wildcats scored two plays later when RB James DeBow carried in from 2 yards making the score UCLA 17 Arizona 7 with 7:21 left in the 3^rd quarter. The Bruins responded with a 9-play, 80-yard drive that was highlighted by a 3^rd & 9 play from the UCLA 44-yard line. As QB David Norrie scrambled to find an open receiver he saw WR Karl Dorrell. After Dorrell made the catch he was hit at the Arizona 20-yard line & fumbled the ball forward. It appeared Arizona would recover the ball as 4 Wildcats’ defenders closed in but Green got into the pile & covered the ball for the Bruins at the Arizona 4-yard line. Two plays later, Green’s 1-yard touchdown run put UCLA ahead 24-7 with 3:53 left in the 3^rd quarter. In the 4^th quarter it appeared the Bruins had thwarted a Wildcat scoring drive when UCLA’s CB Dennis Price intercepted Arizona’s QB Alfred Jenkins at the UCLA 10-yard line. After returning the pick 14 yards, Price fumbled & DeBow recovered for the Wildcats at the UCLA 24-yard line giving Arizona a new set of downs. Arizona drove for the touchdown in 5 plays with DeBow scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run. The missed 2-point conversion attempt left the Wildcats trailing 24-13 with 7:05 left to play. The Bruins recovered the on-side kick & ran almost 4 minutes off the clock before Norrie made a mistake that led to another Arizona score. On first down from the Arizona 29-yard line with 3:18 left, Norrie decided to try a pass but the Wildcats’ rush was on him quickly & he tried to throw the ball while being tackled. Arizona’s DT Dana Wells caught the ball & ran 61 yards for a touchdown but the missed 2-point conversion attempt still had the Bruins in front at 24-19. UCLA managed to hang on to the ball the rest of the way to secure the win. Norrie threw for 162 yards with 2 interceptions while Jenkins threw for 102 yards with an interception in the loss. The Wildcats finished the season 8-3-1 while the Bruins finished 9-2-1, Pac-10 Champions & ranked 7^th nationally. Arizona would play for The Belt again in 1990.

The College Football Belt

This Date in College Football Belt History – November 4

Casey — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:38:01 +0000

The 22^nd ranked, 6-2 UCLA Bruins of coach Terry Donahue traveled to Tempe to meet the 4-4 Arizona State Sun Devils of coach Bruce Snyder. The Bruins planned to reclaim The Belt led by All-American OT Jonathan Ogden as well as All-Pac 10 players RB Karim Abdul-Jabbar & C Mike Flanagan but the Sun Devils had other ideas. The Bruins led 27-10 at the half but 4 fumbles & 7 penalties gave the Sun Devils all the chances they needed for a comeback. Arizona State’s All-Pac 10 QB Jake Plummer threw for 312 yards with 2 touchdowns leading the Sun Devils to a 37-33 victory to retain The Belt. UCLA took a 3-0 lead when PK Bjorn Merten hit a 39-yard field goal & when CB Paul Guidry returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown, the Bruins had a 10-0 lead. The Sun Devils responded with a 16-play, 89-yard drive capped by a 3-yard touchdown run by RB Michael Martin. Merten connected from 22 yards as UCLA pushed the lead to 13-7 before Arizona State’s PK Robert Nycz hit from 26 yards to get the Sun Devils within 3 points at 13-10. UCLA then put together an 11-play, 80-yard drive with Abdul-Jabbar scoring on a 1-yard run for a 20-10 advantage. UCLA’s QB Cade McNown scored on a 4-yard touchdown run with 0:06 left in the half as the Bruins took the 27-10 halftime lead. The Sun Devils scored on a 9-yard touchdown run by All-Pac 10 WR Keith Poole on their opening drive of the 3^rd quarter & Plummer connected with RB Ricky Boyer to get the Sun Devils close at 27-24. The next 4 UCLA possessions resulted in a safety & 3 fumbles. The Bruins tried a reverse handoff on a punt return but Arizona State’s CB Lamont Morgan tackled UCLA’s WR Derek Ayers in the end zone for a safety. After a Sun Devils’ punt, Arizona State’s S Traivon Johnson recovered an Abdul-Jabbar fumble & on the next play, Plummer found WR Kenny Mitchell for a 27-yard touchdown pass giving Arizona State a 34-27 lead after Plummer scored on the 2-point conversion. UCLA drove to the Arizona State 9-yard line on their next possession but McNown fumbled & Johnson was there to recover again. The Sun Devils could not score on that turnover but McNown fumbled again on the next Bruins’ drive & LB Derek Smith recovered for Arizona State. Nycz hit a 36-yard field goal giving the Sun Devils a 37-27 lead with 8:51 to play. UCLA drove 80 yards in 11 plays with McNown scoring on a 5-yard touchdown run but the Sun Devils were able to run off the last 5 minutes without incident. Poole finished with 9 catches for 167 yards with his rushing touchdown for Arizona State while Abdul-Jabbar finished with 207 yards rushing with a touchdown but the critical fumble. McNown threw for 289 yards but 2 fumbles that thwarted drives for UCLA. Arizona State finished the season 6-5 while the Bruins finished 7-5 in Donahue’s final season. UCLA would play for The Belt again in 2004.

The College Football Belt

This Date in College Football Belt History – October 30

Casey — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:04:28 +0000

The 3^rd ranked, 6-0-1 UCLA Bruins of coach Terry Donahue traveled to Seattle to battle Don James’ 4-3 Washington Huskies. QB Warren Moon lead the Washington offense in the Huskies first ever Belt game. UCLA’s All-Pac 8 RB Theotis Brown rushed for a school-record 220 yards & scored 3 touchdowns as the Bruins defeated the Huskies for the first time in Seattle since 1958 to retain The Belt with a 30-21 victory. The Bruins opened with a punishing 72-yard drive with Brown scoring the touchdown on a 29-yard run. Washington responded with a 31-yard field goal from PK Steve Robbins that cut the UCLA lead to 7-3 before the Bruins came back with a 9-play, 80-yard drive with Brown carrying in from 15 yards giving UCLA a 14-3 2^nd quarter lead. Just as it seemed the Bruins had taken control of the game, Washington’s RB Joe Steele took the ensuing kick-off & returned it 89 yards for a touchdown. Robbins’ 31-yard field goal kept the Huskies in the game as the trailed just 14-13 at the half. Defense for both teams dominated the 3^rd quarter with the only points coming on a 25-yard field goal from UCLA’s All-Pac 8 PK Frank Corral. The most critical outcome of the 3^rd quarter may have been Washington’s loss of All-Pac 8 NG Charles Jackson to injury. UCLA’s RB James Owens’ 34-yard touchdown run early in the 4^th quarter again seemed to leave the Bruins in total control with a 24-13 lead but Moon had still had hopes of leading a comeback. Washington traveled 80 yards for their touchdown with Moon throwing a 28-yard touchdown pass to TE Scott Greenwood that got the Huskies within 5 points at 24-19 & when Moon connected with RB Ronnie Rowland on the 2-point conversion, the Huskies were within a field goal at 24-21. Brown’s third touchdown came midway through the 4^th quarter through a hole that might have been occupied by Washington’s injured nose guard. Brown finished the 85-yard drive when he broke through the line & ran 51 yards untouched for the clinching score. UCLA’s QB Jeff Dankworth threw for just 69 yards but Brown’s school-rushing record & Owens’ 123 yards rushing with his score helped the Bruins amassed 451 yards rushing for the game. Moon threw for 132 yards with a touchdown in the loss. UCLA finished the season 9-2-1; ranked 15^th nationally while the Huskies finished 5-6. Washington would play for The Belt again in 1978.

The College Football Belt

This Date in College Football Belt History – October 16

Casey — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 02:45:39 +0000

The 12^th ranked, 4-1 Washington Huskies of first-year coach Jim Lambright traveled to Pasadena to meet the 22^nd ranked, 3-2 UCLA Bruins of coach Terry Donahue. UCLA’s All-American WR J.J. Stokes caught four touchdown passes as the Bruins rallied from a 15-0 1^st quarter deficit to record a 39-25 upset win & claim their 9^th Belt reign. Washington took a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter when All-Pac 10 RB Napoleon Kaufman capped a 51-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. The Huskies took a 9-0 lead after recording a safety when UCLA’s QB Wayne Cook fumbled a snap & when Kaufman scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, the lead was 15-0. On the last play of the 1^st quarter, Cook hit Stokes for a quick gain but the receiver was able to break two tackles & when two of the Huskies ran into each other, Stokes had a 95-yard touchdown reception. Washington got a 43-yard field goal from PK Travis Hanson giving the Huskies an 18-7 lead. Late in the quarter, Stokes scored his second touchdown on a diving 18-yard reception & the teams went to halftime with the score Washington 18 UCLA 14. In the 3^rd quarter the Bruins drove 99 yards in 9 plays with Cook again finding Stokes open on the 22-yard touchdown pass giving UCLA 21-18 advantage. Early in the 4^th quarter, the Bruins’ All-American PK Bjorn Merten hit a 24-yard field goal as UCLA pushed the lead to 24-18. With 8:42 left, Stokes made his fourth touchdown reception, this one coming on a 6-yard pass, & when Cook ran in for the 2-point conversion, the Bruins had a 32-18 lead. Washington’s DE Jamal Fontaine recovered another fumble by Cook & the Huskies had the ball at the UCLA 12-yard line. Four plays later, Washington’s QB Eric Bjornson fired to WR D.J. McCarthy for an 8-yard touchdown pass making the score UCLA 32 Washington 25. The Huskies had a final chance to tie the game with 0:56 to play but Bjornson’s pass was intercepted by Bruins’ CB Teddy Lawrence who returned it 36 yards for the final points. Cook finished with 294 yards passing with 4 touchdowns as well as 2 interceptions & Stokes added 10 catches for 190 yards to his 4 touchdown receptions. Washington’s QB Damon Huard threw for 161 yards with an interception before being replaced by Bjornson. The Huskies finished the season 7-4 while the Bruins finished 8-4, Pac 10 Co-Champs, ranked 18^th nationally. Washington would play for The Belt again in 1997.

The College Football Belt

This Date in College Football Belt History – September 9

Casey — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:10:01 +0000

September 9, 1972 – In the first ever Belt match-up, champion Nebraska traveled to Los Angeles as 21-point favorites to defeat the UCLA Bruins. The top-ranked Cornhuskers coached by Bob Devaney were riding a 32-game winning streak while UCLA was coming off a disappointing 1971 season with a record of 2-7-1 in Coach Pepper Rodgers first season. Coach Rodgers installed & unveiled a new wishbone offense against Nebraska lead by Bruins’ QB Mark Harmon. While the Cornhuskers were starting a new quarterback in David Humm, they still had Heisman Trophy winning, All-American WR Johnny Rodgers. UCLA stunned the defending Belt holders in the first-ever title defense with PK Efren Herrera hitting a 29-yard field goal with just 0:20 to play for a 20-17 upset of the Cornhuskers.

The College Football Belt

This Date in College Football Belt History – September 4

Casey — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:08:34 +0000

The UCLA Bruins of coach Terry Donahue opened the season against the California Golden Bears of coach Keith Gilbertson. California’s QB Dave Barr threw 3 touchdown passes but it was two failed 2-point conversion attempts by UCLA that spelled the difference in a 27-25 Golden Bear victory to claim The Belt. The win gave the Golden Bears The Belt for the second time & first since 1990. The Golden Bears got on the board after S Matt Clizbe returned a Bruins’ punt 33 yards to the UCLA 38-yard line &, 2 plays later, Barr found WR Mike Caldwell open for a 40-yard touchdown pass. On Clizbe’s next punt return he fumbled with UCLA’s S Travis Collier recovering at the California 24-yard line. The turnover set-up a 36-yard field goal by All-American PK Bjorn Merten but the Bruins still trailed 7-3. The Golden Bears then put together a 6-play, 63-yard drive with Barr connecting with Caldwell from 36 yards for a 14-3 advantage heading into the 2^nd quarter. Another field goal by Merten, this on from 30 yards, opened the 2^nd quarter but California countered with a 27-yard field goal from PK Doug Brien for a 17-6 lead. The Bruins finally got into the end zone on their next drive, an 8-play, 76-yard effort with RB Daron Washington scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run with just 2:26 left in the half. California was not done as they drove 76 yards in 2:14 with Barr hitting TE Brian Remington for a 6-yard touchdown giving the Golden Bears a 24-13 lead at intermission. The only points of the 3^rd quarter came with just 0:20 left when UCLA’s QB Wayne Cook threw to All-American WR J.J. Stokes for a 5-yard touchdown pass on a drive helped by an excessive celebration penalty against California when the defense thought they had stopped a third down play. The Bruins tried for a 2-point conversion after the touchdown but, in spite of a diving attempt, Stokes was unable to hold on to Cook’s pass & UCLA still trailed 24-19. Brien’s 23-yard field goal pushed the California lead back to 8 points at 27-19 with 5:48 left in the game but kept the Bruins with hopes of a tie. UCLA drove 80 yards in 7 plays with RB Skip Hicks breaking loose on his second carry as a collegian for a 40-yard touchdown run. Again, the Bruins tried for the 2-point conversion but Cook’s pass to Stokes this time was over his head & the Golden Bears led 27-25 with 3:05 to play. UCLA had a last chance with the ball at their own 17-yard line with 1:36 to play & no timeouts. The Bruins drove to the California 20-yard line before the Golden Bears’ All-Pac 10 S Eric Zomalt intercepted a Cook pass with just 0:15 left. Barr finished with 213 yards passing with 3 touchdowns while RB Lindsey Chapman added 160 yards rushing. For UCLA, Cook threw for 230 yards with a touchdown while Stokes had 7 catches for 106 yards with his touchdown. The Bruins finished the season 8-4; Pac 10 Co-Champs, ranked 18^th nationally while the Golden Bears finished 9-4 & ranked 25^th nationally. UCLA would play for The Belt again in 6 weeks.

The College Football Belt