UCLA quarterback Hundley has big role in battle for L.A.
LOS ANGELES – Terry Donahue was part of 28 UCLA-USC football games, as a player, assistant coach and head coach for the Bruins. That hands-on experience led him to one conclusion:
“Every UCLA-USC game, there is a guy who makes the difference,” Donahue said. “Whether it’s Gary Beban, Gaston Green, John Barnes, O.J. Simpson, Carson Palmer, Ricky Bell; whoever wins, there will be a guy.”
It’s the reason Donahue is picking UCLA over USC in the 84th football game between the schools today at the Rose Bowl.
“We have had that guy the last two seasons,” he said. “Brett Hundley will be the difference.”
UCLA’s hopes, and USC’s fears, center on Hundley, the Bruins’ junior quarterback. He had the Trojans’ heads spinning last year when he passed for 208 yards and ran for 80 in a dominant 35-14 UCLA victory.
It was Hundley’s second win over USC in as many seasons as a starter. Another today would make him the fifth quarterback from either school to win three of the crosstown rivalry games.
But there is more at stake this season than personal achievement and a potential claim on a college football monopoly in Los Angeles.
UCLA, No. 9 in the College Football Playoff rankings, is 8-2 overall and 5-2 in Pac-12 Conference play. No. 19 USC is 7-3 and 6-2.
A win over USC, and another against Stanford next week, would earn UCLA a shot at No. 2 Oregon in the conference championship game. USC can earn a crack at the Ducks if it defeats the Bruins and Arizona State loses one of its two remaining games.
Hundley is the key to both scenarios. UCLA needs to spring him; USC needs to stop him.
“He has made plays throughout his career,” USC defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox said. “You’ve got to do what you’re best at, taking away what they do best, and that’s how you play them.”
Wilcox was at Washington last season and the Huskies limited Hundley to 15 yards rushing and 159 yards passing – but UCLA won easily, 41-31.
USC had less success two weeks later. Hundley’s running tilted the game. He scored on runs of 12 and 5 yards. Both touchdowns came after USC had pulled to within seven points. He also had a 23-yard run that set up UCLA’s last touchdown.
“We let our emotions get the best of us,” USC defensive back Su’a Cravens said. “It’s a rivalry game, things like that happen. This year, we just have to be cool, calm and collected.”