Neuheisel laughs last
UCLA nets easy win in coach’s return to Husky Stadium
SEATTLE – Rick Neuheisel came back to Husky Stadium for the first time in five years and reminded downtrodden Washington what he did during most of his tenure with the Huskies: win.
Led by Khalil Bell’s 97 yards rushing and two touchdowns, Neuheisel made a successful return to his former school as UCLA easily outclassed Washington 27-7 on Saturday night.
The Bruins (4-6, 3-4 Pac-10) scored on the first drive of the game and never trailed. Washington fans who showed up on a cool November night to voice their anger and animosity about Neuheisel’s messy divorce from the school in 2003 were left to boo their own lame-duck coach, Tyrone Willingham, in his final home game at Washington.
The Huskies lost their school-record 12th straight and are 0-10 (0-7 Pac-10) for the first time in school history.
Neuheisel did his best all week to soothe the return. The first-year UCLA coach apologized to angry UW fans who blame him for the school’s 18-50 mark since his firing in 2003.
But with the two schools occupying the bottom of the Pac-10 standings, the focus was bound to be on the sidelines.
Many fans made certain Neuheisel knew of their displeasure. A large contingent showed up with signs, ranging from “Neu-weasel!” to one asking for betting advice – “Hey Slick, should I take UW and the points?” – in reference to Neuheisel’s involvement in an NCAA tournament pool that was part of his dismissal.
But some chose to remember Neuheisel’s accomplishments in Seattle with signs acknowledging the 2001 Rose Bowl title, a 33-16 overall record and bowl games in all four seasons.
He first stepped on the field about two hours before kickoff, his first time in the stadium since June 2003, and lingered near midfield taking in his old surroundings. The one time Neuheisel’s name was mentioned through the stadium’s speakers, he was mildly booed.
His security detail was more cursory than a show of force with one lone state trooper jogging across the field with Neuheisel when the Bruins emerged from the locker room before kickoff.
Meanwhile, Willingham walked the UW sideline for the last time in Husky Stadium, his future already determined to be unemployment following the Huskies season finale Dec. 6 at California.