Finally!

After 7 straight defeats, my beloved Bruins finally got back into the win column against the Trojans with a 13-9 victory. There was a lot of intensity on both sides for the whole game, which made it fun to watch, even though it was so low-scoring. Here are some pictures:




























Finally! A chance to celebrate...















THE play of the game - Eric McNeal tips a BOOTY pass in to the air, then dives for the game sealing interception



















Priceless... Where's that traditional smirk, Pom-Pom?


































How it should be.



Now, for me, one win doesn't make a season. I don't think you can be a high-level, nationally relevant program if a win against your rival makes up for an otherwise mediocre campaign. That being said, given all of SC's success over the last 5 years, and how they'd won 7 straight times, this was the sweetest Bruin win in a long, long time. And I'm hoping it's kind of a stepping stone for a program on the upswing.

One short story to share. Back in 2001, UCLA had won it's first 6 games, and was riding high as a top-5 team, with a legitimate shot at the BCS, perhaps even a title game appearance. They then proceeded to go into the toilet, losing 3 straight games, with DeShaun Foster getting suspended, and the news of Cory Paus (the starting QB) having gotten a DUI the previous spring getting leaked - all of this, heading into the SC game. Supposedly, as the teams were getting ready to take the field, the UCLA players were waiting in the tunnel, and the SC players came out, and it seemed like a confrontation was going to take place. The UCLA players stepped aside, and let SC through. They then went on to get absolutely humiliated, 27-0. Zero points. Against your arch rival, this translates into one thing: NO HEART. Since that time, we only had one game against USC that was decided by less than 10 points.

Flash forward to 12/2/06. UCLA punts with just under 6 minutes to go, and there is a TV timeout. During the timeout, both teams huddled around their sidelines, and then, things start getting heated, where both teams start getting hyped, jumping up and down, yelling at each other. Slowly, the teams edge out towards midfield, before the refs jump in and throw flags on both sides to restore order. The Bruins didn't back down - they fought back and figuratively punched USC in the mouth. There was this great shot they showed on TV of Coach Dorrell, who is usually very, very stoic in public situations, getting just as hyped as any of the players, challenging the D to rise up one more time to seal the victory.

I love college sports...