The game, hardly a blowout, ended on a sour note in the final minute of play. The score was 21-7 USC, with roughly 50 seconds left, and USC had just taken their first kneel. Immediately after the play, and the game out of reach, Neuhesiel called a time out, to the shock of Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Jim Bates.
On the play following the time out, Matt Barkley threw a 48-yard TD pass to WR Damian Williams, to the shock of the entire UCLA sideline and the players on the field. That's when things finally got interesting.
Most of the game featured terrible offense from both teams, as well as moments of incredible defense, especially from USC. After the ensuing touchdown, however, the players lined up on the length of the field, only yards from each other, yelling and screaming at the other side in an attempt to recreate their favorite Civil War battle.
All kidding aside, this incident really might spark back up a true civil war in our beloved city of Los Angeles. There's no doubt this will be talked about until next year's planned match up in the Rose Bowl.
This rivalry, full of history and one that was once so vibrant, has been pretty dull in recent memory. USC has now won 10 out the last 11 against UCLA. UCLA ripped off 8 straight during the 90's.
UCLA made a promise last year that the football monopoly in LA was over. They'll have to wait to prove that next season.
USC complained 2 weeks ago about a questionable Jim Harbaugh decision to go for 2, late in a blow out game. Pete Carroll won't have to wait long to answer those questions.
As for the rivalry? Petros Papadakis put it best when proclaimed that Pete officially drew blood with that late, unnecessary touchdown.
And by the shortest possible handshake two people can ever have, it's fair to say both Pete and Rick knew that too.
-Jon G.
8 comments:
Definitely not unlike Pete to do this. Rick kept his cool and said nothing.
lets question the tactic of ucla and calling a timeout too then. If you were calling a timeout to possibly get another crack at it...then you'd deserve the trojans to run any play they wish, and not just give you the ball back...what happens if ucla gets it back and say returns the punt and then has the opportunity to onside kick and tie the game. ucla can cry all they want...but yes, it does look like the trojans being upset with Arizona going for 2 needs to be discussed too... just realize it is college athletes and you shouldn't treat it like a youth football game in terms of complete "sportsmanship" ... they're all in D-1 and should all go hard for the entire game
I completely agree that no one should complain about it. I understand they are kids... but they're physically fit athletes who beat the crap out of each other for 60 minutes. Are there really a lot of hard feelings going around? They are grown men and they can act like it. It's why I believe excessive celebration is a crappy rule.
-Jon
Neuhesiel is an idiot though... He would have kept calling time outs until UCLA got the ball back! Calling a time out after we go down on a knee is CHILDISH and Pete responded as anyone should have. A time out means the opposing team still wants to play, so fine Neuhesiel, you wana play with the big boys? Expect to get hurt. He deserved that. Plaschke put it best: "On this night, the brat who called a timeout needed to be put in one."
Haha oh Mel. Plaschke is great. Neuheisel knew he had something coming... right? USC had a down year... but they're still USC.
Just wait in a couple years. Honestly both teams looked horrible. This is one of the worst games I have ever watched. Prince basically gave SC the game. Ucla played great defense and they need a QB and some of SC recruits to come play there lol. I think it was dumb to call Time out but Carrol should not have done that play call. When Stanford handled SC he was pissed about the 2pt conversion because he is a class coach well obviously he is not that much of class coach. Who obviously does not take losing very well either but when he wins everything is all good and dandy. Ucla is terrible and it was pathetic watching them but they will be good sometime time in the next couple years. Give us Aaron Corp haha
PLASHCKE IS A GREAT WRITER BUT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT MOST OF THE TIME.
Pete Carrol showed hypocrisy he was complaining about Harbough going for 2 with 7 mins left and then he runs up the score with 44 secs left. Having said that though it is a rivalry game and he also sent a message that SC is still the big dogs in LA.
Blatz out.
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