Coaches dismiss feud talk

PULLMAN – Blown out of proportion or a thing of the past?

There seems to be a bit of a disagreement between Oregon coach Mike Bellotti and UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel concerning their purported feud.

“It’s probably a media deal and way blown out of proportion,” Bellotti said Tuesday of any animosity between him and Neuheisel dating back to the latter’s tenure at the University of Colorado.

“There’s a lot that’s been said about the relationship between myself and Mike, the acrimony if you will,” Neuheisel said on the same Pac-10 conference media call. “But I think that’s all been kind of put in the past and I consider him not only a great coach but also a really good guy.”

So was there anything there and does it still fester?

“As I’ve said many times, a couple of the initial things were portrayed more by fans and the press than anything else,” Bellotti said. “Again, on the fake punt, I took exception to it simply from the fact we let it happen. I was more frustrated by that then their choice to do it.”

Bellotti was referring to a fake Neuheisel’s Colorado team pulled off late in the 1996 Cotton Bowl with the Buffs way ahead. But that doesn’t seem to be an issue any more.

“The longer you know somebody, the more you have a better chance of understanding things they may do,” Bellotti said.

“I am forever thankful to Mike for being willing to extend himself in the way he did, and write a letter on my behalf to the NCAA,” said Neuheisel, who had run-ins with the NCAA at each of his previous two collegiate stops”

“We’re actually pretty good friends, more so than people would think,” Bellotti said. “I respect what he’s accomplished, what he’s done and I’ve heard him say the same things about me.”

The biggest problem for the Ducks is Neuheisel’s teams are 4-1 against them.

“I think teams tend to focus more for big games,” Neuheisel said when asked to explain the success. “When you play an opponent the caliber of Oregon, what they’ve accomplished over the last several years, you get excited for it.

“Especially going to Eugene, you better have it fastened on tight.”

The Ducks will host UCLA on Saturday and Neuheisel doesn’t expect a warm reception at Autzen Stadium.

“I kind of tongue-in-cheeked that yesterday,” he said, “I said, ‘I guess I would be disappointed if they didn’t (boo me).’

“But, as I said, there are roles you play. And when you go on the road, (the villain) is kind of who you are anyway.”

When pressed for more on his relationship with Neuheisel, Bellotti started to answer and caught himself.

“You know what, you’re searching for something I’m not going to give you,” Bellotti said. “I want to talk about football.”

Around the conference

Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh had bad news this week – the Pac-10 reprimanded him for comments about the officiating after the Notre Dame loss last Saturday – and good news – his wife Sarah delivered a baby girl about 3 a.m. Tuesday. Harbaugh was at the hospital and missed the conference’s media call. Assistant head coach Ron Lynn filled in and talked extensively on Arizona quarterback Willie Tuitama. “When he doesn’t have something, he doesn’t just throw it in there,” Lynn said about Tuitama’s improvement this year. “He’s much more patient.” … With a bye this week, all the negativity swirling around Washington coach Tyrone Willingham seemed to have receded to the background. Willingham said there is a renewed emphasis this week on improving the Huskies’ physical play. … Arizona has used nearly a dozen true freshmen this season, something many Pac-10 teams have had to do. Wildcats coach Mike Stoops would rather let them develop, but he does have some criteria he uses. “Obviously, they have to be able to help you, make you better,” Stoops said. “But you can’t play for 5 years down the road either. … Sometimes it’s out of necessity, but it can also help you for next year.” … The Oregon State defensive front seven featured all new starters coming into the season. The last two games – a win over then-No. 1 USC and a close defeat at No. 14 Utah – the group has played well. The improvement is more about execution of assignments and team effort than individuals playing better, according to coach Mike Riley. … Oregon quarterback Justin Roper returned to practice this week after being out since the Purdue game with a knee injury. But the former starter isn’t penciled in at No. 1. “He looked good yesterday,” Bellotti said. “Barring any setbacks, he’ll continue to compete for the starting job.” Jeremiah Masoli has led the Ducks to a 1-2 record since Roper’s injury. … California running back Jahvid Best missed the Bears’ win over ASU with an injured elbow, but coach Jeff Tedford hopes he’ll be back against Arizona after a bye week. “I’m not sure (he’ll be ready), but all the signs are positive,” Tedford said. “There’s still a ways to go.”