BYU blocks Bruins
Published 11:26 pm Saturday, December 22, 2007
LAS VEGAS — UCLA players slowly trudged off the field, a well-practiced journey they can do in step from a season of hard knocks.
Moments before, the Bruins were on the edge of ecstasy, lining up for a game-winning field goal. Seconds later, kicker Kai Forbath’s 28-yard field goal attempt was tipped and fluttered harmlessly short as time ran out, sending Brigham Young University players into wild gyrations as the Cougars’ 17-16 victory in the Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday in front of 40,712 at Sam Boyd Stadium.
While the Cougars celebrated, a teary-eyed DeWayne Walker was on his own journey. The Bruins’ interim coach walked head up to the locker room. Next week, he will head upstairs to be interviewed by UCLA Chancellor Gene Block about the head coaching job.
A copy of game film might be a handy visual aide.
The Bruins (6-7) came oh-so-close to taking one final last good memory from a season of too many bad ones. They drove from their own two-yard line to the Cougars’ 11 in 1 minutes 28 seconds, leaving three seconds for Forbath to knock home his fourth field goal.
Only Forbath, who had already made kicks of 52 and 50 yards, had this one blocked by Eathyn Manumaleuna.
“I told the players that life is full of diversity,” Walker said. “I think adversity builds character. Whoever the head coach is next year, they are really going inherit a bunch of good guys.”
That could still be Walker, who will be the third candidate to be interviewed by Block. Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel and Temple Coach Al Golden interviewed with Block last week.
UCLA officials are not believed to be interested in interviewing other coaches, at least at this time, according to a source familiar with the search.
“It’s flattering,” Walker said of getting the second interview. “It just reinforces the things we talk about as a staff. … I think it’s encouraging. All I can do is what I can do.”
But Walker said, “it feels like you’re getting the respect of the job that you’ve done. I appreciate it.”
UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero would only comment on the game, but that revolved around Walker.
“I thought the team played very hard,” Guerrero said. “Obviously to have chance to win it at the end, that’s pretty much where you want to have your team. It’s a reflection of coaching staff and the seniors and team rallying together.”
Guerrero, standing in the back of the post-season news conference room, received a message from senior tailback Chris Markey.
“Hire Coach Walker,” Markey said to the media.
Brigham Young (11-2) was led by quarterback Max Hall, who completed 21 of 35 passes for 231 yards.
