Sunday, November 6, 2005
Game was lost cause from the start
By MARK WHICKER
The Orange County Register
TUCSON – Someone told Antoine Cason that the UCLA players complained they hadn't been "flying around."
Cason, the sophomore corner from Los Alamitos, smiled tolerantly, as if he'd just been asked to explain subject-verb-predicate.
"They weren't flying around," Cason said, "because we were."
Fly to the moon, Arizona.
The Wildcats, 2-6 coming into Saturday, threw a Don Larsen at UCLA on Saturday. They played their game. Why didn't UCLA, 8-0 before this, play its game? Go back to the blackboard. The predicate follows the subject and verb. The Wildcats played theirgame, and played it so unusually well that the fans rushed the field and attacked a goalpost. The goalpost, unlike the Bruins, remained standing.
"It was pedal to the metal all night," said UCLA safety Jarrod Page, having had enough time to digest this visceral, 52-14 night at the whipping post - "a humble butt-kicking," as Coach Karl Dorrell called it.
"They just came out and played fast, faster than us," Page said. "They ran some bootlegs and got some of our guys lost in the shuffle with their misdirections. They were sure of everything they were doing."
That's football. Very rarely do two opposing teams reach their happy zone at once and stay there. When that happens, you have something that lives forever, like Dolphins-Chargers in 1981 or Miami-Nebraska in 1983. Otherwise, it's a zero-sum game.
How could Drew Olson get anything established when UCLA had to punt on its first four possessions, all of which began on the 20? How can UCLA win when its longest play of the game is 23 yards?
And every time Olson got the ball back he found himself one floor deeper. Arizona scored touchdowns on its first four trips. It averaged more than 10 yards per playin the first half.
Freshman discovery Willie Tuitama, who was playing at St. Mary's High in Stockton a year ago, completed his first seven passes. The Wildcats outgained UCLA, 193-43, in the first quarter, which ended, 21-0.
That brings up another truism, popularized by Lou Holtz: Football teams either get better or worse. They don't stay on the blackboard, in static chalk.
This Arizona team was within seven of USC after three quarters, and that was before Tuitama. Two weeks ago Tuitama got his first start and Arizona nearly beat Oregon, which has only lost once. Last week, he got his second start and Arizona beat Oregon State.
Arizona dropped a calling card on its first play. Tuitama rolled out left, turned and found Mike Bell down the right side, lonelier than a macarena dancer. Bell ran for 51 yards and might have scored had he not tackled himself. Four plays later, receiver Mike Thomas ran the final 17 yards.
"They had the perfect play called for our defense," said UCLA defensive coordinator Larry Kerr, who faced the music stoically.
"We were in an 8-man front, playing man-to-man to stop the run. They burned us, and one of our linebackers got caught up in the wash, and he lost his man, and that was it. That kind of thing kept happening.
"Our guys seemed to let a lot of little things bother them. We thought we got things settled down at halftime, and then they came out and drove 80 yards to start the third quarter. We hit Tuitama and he throws a flutterball that their guy (Thomas) comes back to catch. Things like that."
Kerr stared and shook his head.
"But if you can't stop the run, it really doesn't matter. They got us blocked, and they did things like run a draw play on third-and-16, and we got four guys with a shot and none of them could make the play. We just could never make a play on defense all night."
Bell (156 yards) and Harris (113) became the first Arizona tandem to break 100 in the same game since Clarence Farmer and Ortege Jenkins did it in 2000, also against UCLA.
There are no turning points in games like this, but there are illustrations.
Arizona led, 31-7, when Gilbert Harris toured right end - and receiver Syndric Steptoe, who later became the first Wildcat in five years to return a punt for a touchdown, held up UCLA safety Dennis Keyes for what seemed like five seconds as Harris rumbled for 12 yards. This is the same Keyes who personally terrorized Oklahoma back in September.
On the next play, Keyes set himself to stop Bell up the middle, and Bell simply somersaulted him and landed in the end zone. One guy was one step, one thought, one twitch ahead of the other guy. All day, all night.
Once Dorrell descended the steps to UCLA's tiny locker room, he told the Bruins, "Remember, we're 8-1, not 1-8." No one cried over the loss of a "national championship"; no one should believe the sheen is gone from the Dec. 3 date with USC.
The Bruins had been living right all season. They could have lost to Washington, Washington State, Cal and Stanford. They didn't have to play Oregon. The time would come when they would fall off their skis. They just didn't expect to run into sharks like this.
Dorrell came back out and said the normal stuff, as if there was any alternative.
"We didn't play well," he said over and over. Asked what he told the team at halftime, he said, "That we didn't play well," and now he broke down - laughing.
That's how you dispense with days like this. Watch the tape, then tape over it. Just don't forget the subject, verb and predicate. One football play, if left unchecked, can infect the next 90.
Or, as one old coach said, "We got a great offense. They just wouldn't let us run it."
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
30 comments:
Buy Carisoprodol << [u][b]CARISOPRODOL Online INFORMATION and SALE[/b][/u] >>
[url=http://shrten.com/dk4][img]http://xmages.net/upload/4217636b.jpg[/img][/url]
[url=http://shrten.com/dk5][u]Click Here to order cheap Carisoprodol[/u][/url]
what is carisoprodol for
carisoprodol interaction
carisoprodol 350mg
carisoprodol used
long term use of carisoprodol
carisoprodol cost
sale carisoprodol
carisoprodol is
buy carisoprodol
pharmacy carisoprodol
carisoprodol and
watson carisoprodol
carisoprodol online
carisoprodol alternative
carisoprodol naproxeno
bulk carisoprodol
carisoprodol high
somacid carisoprodol
cheap carisoprodol online
cheap carisoprodol
carisoprodol snorting
carisoprodol addiction
It is the cause that why you should obtain a
pair of popular branded sneakers. Listed here are numerous ideas
to get hold of started out off. The easy fashion attracted more persons' awareness in a shorter time. Nike's most high priced which I
will see about 40 million! http://www.airmax90s2013.co.
uk
Hello mates, how is everything, and what you want to say about this post, in my view its truly
remarkable in favor of me.
Feel free to visit my web blog; louis vuitton handbags
you are actually a just right webmaster. The website loading pace is incredible.
It sort of feels that you are doing any unique trick.
Furthermore, The contents are masterwork. you have done a wonderful activity on this matter!
my web page; louis vuitton outlet online
whoah this weblog is wonderful i love studying your articles.
Keep up the great work! You recognize, lots of
persons are hunting around for this info, you can help them greatly.
My page replica hermes handbags
Do you have any video of that? I'd want to find out some additional information.
my site michael kors womens watches
This is a topic that's close to my heart... Best wishes! Exactly where are your contact details though?
Look into my page ... nike air max 2013
Please let me know if you're looking for a writer for your site. You have some really great posts and I believe I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I'd love
to write some articles for your blog in exchange
for a link back to mine. Please shoot me an email if interested.
Thanks!
Review my website - cheap nike free run shoes
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself
or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I'm looking to create my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. appreciate it
Here is my blog - fake ray ban sunglasses
Aw, this was an exceptionally good post. Taking a few minutes and actual
effort to generate a superb article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.
my webpage ... クリスチャンルブタン
Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite
justification seemed to be on the net the simplest thing to be
aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people think about worries that they plainly don't know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
My web-site :: コーチ アウトレット
I'm gone to say to my little brother, that he should also pay a visit this webpage on regular basis to get updated from most recent information.
Review my website ... fake ray ban sunglasses
These are in fact great ideas in concerning blogging. You have touched some pleasant factors
here. Any way keep up wrinting.
Review my web page - トリーバーチ
excellent points altogether, you simply gained a brand
new reader. What would you suggest in regards to your post that you made a few days ago?
Any positive?
Also visit my page ... クロエ バッグ
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you've put in writing this site. I'm hoping the same high-grade site post from you in the
upcoming also. In fact your creative writing abilities
has encouraged me to get my own website now. Really the blogging
is spreading its wings fast. Your write up is
a good example of it.
Also visit my web site クロエ バッグ
Everyone loves what you guys are up too. This kind of clever work and exposure!
Keep up the fantastic works guys I've you guys to blogroll.
Feel free to visit my weblog エアジョーダン
Goals and objectives and priorities actually be established.
Put it at a some height from each floor: Keeping specific portable infrared heaters at a
a few particular height from the ground ensures maximum grill.
Feel free to visit my web blog; infrared heaters natural gas garage
The college loans could be experienced for urgent and
moreover immediate purposes. These loans provided you instant financial till your right next salary for processing unforeseen needs and desires
within supposed to be paid time.
Feel free to surf to my web page :: pikavippi ilman kuluja
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I've joined your feed and stay up for looking for more of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks
Also visit my blog :: Fake Ray Bans
Thanks for some other informative blog. The place else
may just I get that type of info written in such an ideal method?
I've a venture that I am just now running on, and I've been at the
look out for such info.
My weblog ... Fake Ray Bans
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the most
useful websites on the net. I will highly recommend this website!
Also visit my webpage; Replica Rolex Watches
I'velearnsomeexcellentstuff here.Definitelyvaluebookmarking for revisiting. Isurprisehowa lotattemptyou puttocreatesuch amagnificentinformativeweb site."From OC REgister"Justdesire tosay your article is asastounding. Theclarityin yourpostisjustspectacularand that icanthinkyou'rea professionalon thissubject.
Finewith yourpermissionletme toclutchyourRSS feedtokeepup to datewithdrawing closepost.
Thanksa millionand pleasekeep uptherewardingwork.
Also visit my web page :: ナイキ シューズ
It's anremarkableparagraphdesigned forall thewebviewers; they willobtainadvantagefrom it I am sure."From OC REgister"Hi thereDear, are youreallyvisiting thisweb siteon a regular basis, if sothenyou willwithout doubttakefastidiousknowledge.
My web-site - エアマックス95
No matter if some one searches for his essential thing, thus
he/she desires to be available that in detail, so that
thing is maintained over here.
Here is my web blog :: Replica Rolex Watches
Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared
to be on the net the easiest thing to be aware of.
I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people think about worries that they plainly do not know about.
You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects ,
people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more.
Thanks
my web page; cheap air max 95
If you would like to increase your familiarity only keep visiting this web page and be updated with the most
up-to-date news update posted here.
my web page ... Christian Louboutin Women Flats
Hello to every body, it's my first go to see of this weblog; this webpage contains amazing and actually excellent information in favor of readers.
Look at my blog polo ralph lauren sale
Hi! I'm at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the great work!
Look into my web site; Replica Watches
Thank you for any other wonderful article. The place else may just anybody get that kind of information in such a
perfect method of writing? I've a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such info.
Here is my site :: Replica Watches
Hello there I am so glad I found your webpage, I really found you by accident, while I was looking on Google for something else,
Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say cheers for a remarkable post
and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don't have time to look over it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the awesome job.
Have a look at my website Vuitton 財布
Post a Comment