Bruins

Ahh... after an amazing weekend, it's time to unwind and reflect upon a great weekend of UCLA athletics. A run to the men's soccer title game, an easy win for a #1 ranked basketball team, and of course, the most improbable, unbelievable takedown of the 2006 college football season over crosstown rival USC.

In many ways, this game was vindication for all that has happened this season. It hasn't been pretty; there have been many ups and downs, and I'm sure there will continue to be some in the future. But for 60 glorious minutes on Saturday, the Bruins came out and played like champions. We throttled one of the most talented teams in the country, ended an embarrassing seven-game losing streak, and absolutely dominated USC from start-to-finish. Here are just a few thoughts...

DeWayne Walker is a genius. He has been already getting the majority of the credit, as he should, for absolutely putting the clamps on a Trojan team that had scored 20 or more points for 5 straight seasons (an unbelievable statistic). He threw in different looks, he kept the Trojans off guard and on their heels (five false start penalties), and he completely bamboozled a high-powered offense. Great gameplan.

This game meant the world to Karl Dorrell. He finally has his signature win, the marquee that he can point to as the glowing beacon in his tumultuous tenure as head coach. He made all the right calls all week long, from the decision to start Pat Cowan to the decision to kick the field goal with Justin Medlock to take the lead. He led, he managed, he inspired. He was as fired up as I've ever seen him, and his team took it to heart. Vindication is sweet, and Karl Dorrell just socked one to the jaw of all those who have doubted, hated, and cursed him.

Pat Cowan made plays. The focus of the Bruins victory has been on the defense, and rightfully so, for they won the game. But the offense needed to just enough and did so with #12 at the helm. He singlehandedly drove the Bruins down the field for their lone touchdown, all with his gazelle stride and shifty moves. He made the big throws when he had to, hitting Marcus Everett for several key first downs. But what Pat Cowan has, and what cannot be underestimated, is his toughness. He took one of the biggest shots I've ever seen from Ray Maleuga and got up and jogged back to his bench. He might have had a concussion, might not have known where the hell he was, but he wasn't going to let the Trojan bench get too fired up. Pat Cowan has heart, he is a leader, and he did just enough...

to let the Bruins defense control the game. The defense was incredible, with huge pursuit from Bruce Davis and Justin Hickman all day long while Booty was forced to throw on the run. Christian Taylor was all over the ball, Reggie Carter made several huge stops for losses, and we solved one of the major UCLA problems of past rivalry games: we tackled. If they caught the ball, they went down soon after. Credit Trey Brown, Rodney Van, and Alterraun Verner for not allowing Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith to make the big play, and the entire front seven for shutting down the run and getting after Booty. And of course, #2 Eric McNeal for the play of a lifetime, an unbelievable tip and catch that will forever go down in Bruin history.

The fans were electric. I know I've complained and called out times in the past where I just wish Bruins fans were more involved, but an absolute bravo to UCLA fans. It can be difficult to maintain a positive outlook with a difficult season, but come gametime, true blue in the stands stormed with passion I'd never seen before. The excitement was incredible, the fans were louder and more emotional than I've ever heard before. To simply look around, and absorb the energy was simply incredible. And hey, maybe we made a little difference (those five false starts).

But the most electric moment in this game came at 5:52, during a timeout. I've never seen an entire college football team take the field in a moment of pure emotion and passion. Every man on that sideline wanted the victory badly, and felt like there was nothing anyone could to stop them from succeeding. Karl Dorrell was of course, in a most unexpected sight, at the very center. And props to USC for doing the same, pumping themselves up and chomping at the bit for some action.

It was at this time when I realized that this is what college sports is all about. These athletes don't play because it's their job; they play for an unbridled love for the game and for their team. Every single man in powder blue - from the "stoic, unemotional" coach to the star running back to the heart of the defense to the 5th string tight end to the unsuited walk-on to the goddamn towel guy - was out in that huddle, jumping up and down. Every man had made a contribution to this team in some way, and felt like there was absolutely nothing that anyone could do from reaching their goal - their team goal.

Ultimately, that's what it means to be a Bruin. To stand together, to believe, and to succeed.

I'm damn proud to be a Bruin.