FanPost

40 Years of UCLA/U$C

This Saturday will be the 40th anniversary of my first UCLA/U$C game and the 41st consecutive UCLA/U$C game that I have personally attended.  The first game in 1967 was a heartbreaking 21-20 loss in a game featuring #1 UCLA against #4 U$C and its "slashing" runner, O.J. Simpson, who scored the winning touchdown.  I have suffered a lot in going to these games, with UCLA's record being 16-22-2.  Nevertheless, I used to view the UCLA/U$C game as my favorite day of the year because even in the John McKay/Robinson era, the games were usually competitive and in the 60's & 70's the Rose Bowl was frequently on the line.  In both 1967 and 1969, the national championship was actually on the line as both teams were highly ranked.  But now, in the words of B.B. King, "The Thrill is Gone."

I approach this week's game, as I have approached the last several UCLA/U$C games, with a feeling of dread (and fear for the physical safety of Ben Olson).  I actually seriously considered breaking my streak of attending these games this year, but was talked into buying tickets by my friends.  Since Cheatey Petey was hired by Figueroa Tech, its salary cap was raised, and its school motto became "Just Win, Baby!", the games are rarely competitive and it is viewed as a "moral victory" if UCLA even gives them a good game.  Last year's win was viewed as a miracle.  It is unlikely that a miracle will happen two years in a row, especially with the game being at the Vomitoreum.

I don't blame Coach Dull for the current state of affairs - the long slide into medicrity for UCLA football really began after Troy Aikman left and the major culprits are Dalis, Donahue and Toledo.  Thankfully U$C was also mediocre during much of that time.  But now, it is clear that Coach Dull is incapable of raising the program up to the level that it needs to be to deal with Cheatey Petey and the likes of Reggie Bu$h and Ray Thugaluga on a consistent basis.

My plea to Dan Guerrero is to make the day of the UCLA/U$C game once again my favorite day of the year.  Hire someone who can go mano a mano with Carroll and his high priced thugs.  If UCLA could be competitive with McKay & Robinson back in the 60's and 70's, there is no reason why it can't compete today.

I hope that DG can use the skills he demonstrated in hiring Howland and Savage to hire a top coach who can restore UCLA football to the prominence that it once had.  I am confident that this can happen; all it takes is the will!          

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

Trending Discussions