Bruins’ world turns in loss
In one week – really, in just a few hours – Karl Dorrell went from being a challenger for national coach of the year honors to one of the most challenged coaches in the nation.
Dorrell called his UCLA team’s loss at Arizona “humbling and embarrassing,” and there are plenty of other words that could be used to describe his team’s 38-point loss on Saturday.
Consider: The Bruins were 8-0 while the Wildcats were 2-6. The Bruins and senior quarterback Drew Olson still had a chance at the national title game, which is to be played in their home stadium. The Wildcats and true freshman quarterback Willie Tuitama are just trying to build momentum going into 2006.
Dorrell said he was surprised by his team’s poor play after what he called an excellent week of practice. Nonetheless, the third-year coach must be careful or else his team could go into free-fall mode with games against Arizona State and USC still left to play.
“It might have been the best wakeup call for our team,” Dorrell said.
“For some reason or another, from Friday to Saturday we didn’t have the focus or intensity.”
The Bruins had played a number of close games this season, including four improbable late-game comebacks.
But on Saturday, UCLA ran into an Arizona team ready for more than just a first-half lead.
“We played our worst football against a team playing its best football,” Dorrell acknowledged. “I’d say there’s a big message (for our team).”
Stoops made right move
Arizona head coach Mike Stoops has gone from struggling to turn his program around to the darling of the Pac-10 after the 52-14 win.
Improbably, the decision to pull Tuitama’s redshirt and play the freshman in the final weeks of the season appears to have turned things around.
“Bringing in Willie Tuitama has made a difference in just about everything we’ve done,” Stoops said.
“He’s never looked like he doesn’t belong.”
Stoops said he is concerned about the UCLA game being a high-water mark for his squad, but the Wildcats had been under water earlier this season.
As such, Stoops expressed optimism that things may be going in the right direction.
“It’s a new feeling for them,” Stoops said of his players. “I think they like the way they felt. … We’ve got a chance to really build some momentum.”
Notes
In the 30 Pac-10 conference games this season, home teams are 14-16. Winning teams have scored at least 40 points in 17 of those games. … Arizona State’s Derek Hagan is just six catches away from tying former Stanford wideout Troy Walters for the career receptions lead in Pac-10 history. Hagan is third, one grab behind Washington’s Reggie Williams. … Five of the nation’s top nine receivers in yards per game come from Pac-10 teams. None of the top 25 scoring, total or pass defenses does. … Pete Carroll is 14-0 in November at USC. “Everything we’ve done is about finishing,” the coach said.