and those coaches coached their asses off. The balls it took to keep Craft in the game after throwing 4 INTs in the half. The balls of Craft to calm down and throw a half for the ages. I tell you, that was a great game. Those kids fought for the Team, the University, and us. Eternal thanks, my friends, for allowing me another moment to hold my head up high.

Most of all this was about redemption: For Craft and Neu. Everyone needs a shot at redemption.

UCLA FOREVER!

The prodigal son left his father’s home of his own volition. Coach Neuheisel was pushed out by some very short-sighted decision-makers. He should never have left and been put in those positions where he could fail.

But laying that aside, I can’t think of anything better to have happened for him. Naturally he gave credit to everyone else (and he would have gotten around to giving me credit if the phenominally lame Holly Rowe had kept the mike shoved in his face long enough). But this was a win that Coach Neuheisel got for us. He got it by hiring the right coaches in Coach Walker and Coach Chow, plus Frank Gansz Jr. has good special teams DNA. He has the kids believing. And did you hear his comment about the four interceptions? He told Craft that he had four interceptions in his first game, too. Ya think the players want to play for a guy like that?

I’m not making any predictions any more. I know in my heart of hearts that I didn’t think we could do it against Tennessee. But no more. Every game is an empty canvas, and Coach Neuheisel is going to paint something on it. It may be a masterpiece or it may not be. But he’s the artist. And I can’t think of anyone in world who I would rather have in charge of the football team at my alma mater than Rick Neuheisel.

A great start to the season. It is obvious why they call Norm a genius, CRN should be one too, for hiring Norm. Can’t wait to see the development of Craft and all of our future quarterbacks! I was one of those who thought we would keep it close, but not likely to get out with a victory. Me too, no more predictions. Just going to enjoy the season.

Without, Bell, Paulsen and Everett!

Number 18 Vols survive scare at UCLA

AND DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN!!!

:)

neu addressing the media on the gauntlet is tearing me and the wifey up right now….

but I nearly had a heart attack in the airport. Now there is no way I’ll be able to sleep. I cannot express how excited I am for the future of the Bruin Nation and how happy I am for Kevin Craft. What a leader. Graduating this year was hard, but having the BN here will make it bearable. I look forward to sharing a fantastic year with all of you fine individuals. Truly a great victory and the best way possible to start a great season.

That game was unbelievable. Craft had one of the best 2nd halves ever. Amazing how he bounced back. But the D won this game for us. They were rock solid all day. Big ups to Brigham Harwell and Brian Price. They’re gonna be making plays all year. Lets get Bell, Paulsen, and Everett healthy! One more thing: Ryan Moya was HUGE!!! Thats a bounce back from last year where he was gone.

We never played to Tennessee strengths. And we used our strengths to best advantage. The Coaches are all the very best.

Harwell, Price, Carter and Bosworth and the rest of the Defense. Craft ! And we had Moore with a fumble recovery and Sean Westgate run the fumbled ball in for a touchdown. And Taylor Embre with a crtical third down catch – the Freshman. And Ryan Moya. And Forbath.

Brains, Heart and Soul. A Masterpiece !!

Congratulations Bruins.

The game was awesome at the Rose Bowl! Student section was packed and hyphy! Loved Neuheisel’s post-game speech too.

I dismissed all the stuff the annoyancers were saying because I assume that they don’t actually know anything. But Embree looks like he can be the real deal. I hate to say it, but he sort of reminded me of JJ Stokes a little.

What a true Bruin Craft was tonight. I am so proud of him.. He exemplifies what a Bruin is – one who beats adversity. Craft had 4 interceptions and was booed on the way to the locker room by some of our own, which I thought was unneccesary and embarassing.. And yet he came out and continued to play his heart our in the second rahter than curling up in a ball. How many people do you know that can perform like that under such duress..not many..My hats off to him and I hope he knows that we will support him through thick and thin.

we all knew that ucla would win. we didn’t want to overhype the new staff. we didn’t want to pressure the players. we didn’t want to fool ourselves.

but somehow, we knew we would win.

absolutely awesome.

DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN

This is fantastic – UCLA defense toughs it out, come back by offense, win in overtime.

DAMN

Neuheisel is the MAN

It’s back – the attitude – the swagger – confidence – hope — Thank you Jesus!

It’s in the Stars!

Could not run block, but pass blocked well enough for us to be optomistic about the season. It was a Bruin win for the ages.

I didn’t expect a win tonight. I would not have been too upset if UCLA had lost. We are building as far as I’m concerned. RN is +1 in the minimum expectations department. I don’t want to get too carried away but things look bright under RN. Keep it going. Great WIN!!

and how loud i yelled out at the tv when that field goal went wide. absolutely spectacular game to watch. go bruins!

One of the biggest things I was happy about was the difference in disciplne over last year. Only 2 flags against all game – would’ve had those 2 minutes into a game with KD coached team…

Awsome game – could not have a much better way to start the year!

That’s about all I can say, and barely say, as my voice was left at the Rose Bowl. That was an an incredible game that I will never forget. GO BRUINS!

Amazing turnaround young master CRAFT. This coaching staff did its job. It gave the team a chance to win this game.
I hope Everett and Bell are going to be back for byu.
A heartfelt congrats to CRN and team.

But it was worth it. A game to remember, forever.

13-9, and Maurice Drew running all over Cal a few years back were great games (there were a lot of great games that year actually), but tonight’s game was simply awesome. The team showed heart, the coaching staff was clearly on their game, and it just really feels like our program took a huge step in the right direction, with the nation watching.

I love the Neu era and what a fantastic coaching staff! Neu, Stormin’ Norman Chow, DeeeeWayne and Frankie Gansz.. We are gonna win games we have no business winning because of the coaches—that’s what happened against Ol’ Rocky Top. But why did so many Bruin fans leave in the 3d and 4th quarter? What is worse is not have all Bruin fans backing our boys during the overtime. Yes, K-Craft single handedly almost gave it away in the first half. But if any of you know anything about Neu’s history and habit of winning in the 4th quarter, you will stick around til the whistle blows. After BYU, we have 3 straight home games. Don’t leave early!! Support our boys til the end!

Daaaaang it feels good to have a good coaching staff! When I was a kid growing up in the Pacific Northwest my dad would take me to watch Oregon State coached by Tommy Prothro. Then I became a Bruin fan when Tommy came to UCLA in 1965 and I later enrolled at UCLA. We always knew that Tommy would outcoach his opponents on any given Saturday. I have that feeling again— that Neu, Chow and Walker will outcoach their opponents and our boys will be prepared every Saturday. Geez, I’m starting to recover from my Dorrell induced depression.

seeing chow up in the box…i had to pinch myself i still cant believe it! all the injuries (esp bell, paulson, everett) and adversity (baby o-line, 3rd string qb, 4 int in first half, etc) and pull out this gutty win, just awesome! the coaching staff is legit, they are big-time, big program elite… and ours! and the team has got massive heart man, im so proud of them!

GO BRUINZ!!

I’m here in eastern Iraq and I stayed up all night to watch the game (which came on at 0300 here). And I am so glad I did! I was about to just go to sleep after that horrible second half but I thought what the hell it was already 0500 by then. And boom the Bruins pulled it out! I’m glad I was able to see the opening game of the season from here, almost made me feel like I was at home tailgating like last year!

I hope our team came keep up the good! Before our patrol today I’m going to let my platoon know about the outcome haha! Some of these southern good ol’ boys are going to be pissed! haha GO BRUINS!

Class of 2007