UCLA Spoils National Championship Hopes of USC

By Charles Atkinson

As the son of two Bruin alumni and the brother of a recent Notre Dame grad, it has been a rough, rough stretch for me in the new millennium. After last year's narrow Irish loss in South Bend, I was at least comforted knowing that the Reggie Bush/Matt Leinart era was over after that season and that I could look forward to an Irish win in my home city of Los Angeles. Today it was worth all of my past heartache for the chance to watch live as UCLA, the unranked crosstown rivals of #2 USC, completely shut down the high octane Trojan offense led by quarterback John David Booty. With only one lead in the entire 4 quarters coming to USC after their only touchdown of the day, the Bruin defense was the clear difference-maker in the game. It was the defense that kept USC scoreless on -7 rushing yards in the second half. It was the defense that led the Bruins to a 13-9 victory. It was the defense that intercepted the ball with under two minutes to go, stopping the Trojan drive and sending their national championship hopes up in flames faster than the Kettle Corn tent that burned down at halftime. No joke, the whole thing burned to the ground outside of gate 2. It's been eight years since I've witnessed UCLA bring on the fall of Troy; now you can watch the Bruin's only touchdown from a game I've waited eight years to show you. I'm just sorry you weren't there to hear me start a deafening "BEAT SC!" chant right as USC head coach, Pete Carroll, walked past my section and into the tunnel to his team of disillusioned Trojans. read more >>