Life is Rosy for Rick Neuheisel
UCLA FOOTBALL
UCLA coach has had some of his greatest moments in the Pasadena stadium, and he's looking for one more Saturday against USC.
It was the season opener -- his first game back in college football -- and Rick Neuheisel's team had fallen behind Tennessee at halftime.
The UCLA coach proceeded to give an unusual locker room speech. He mentioned a horseshoe. And the vagaries of chance.
"Don't worry," he told his players. "This is the Rose Bowl -- I'm lucky here."
The Bruins came back to win in overtime that night and, despite several home losses since, Neuheisel continues to believe he is charmed in the Arroyo Seco. Like he might have enough magic in his pocket to upset fifth-ranked USC on Saturday.
Most people figure he'll need a boatload.
"Relentlessly optimistic," says defensive tackle Brigham Harwell, parroting his coach's favorite phrase. "He's always positive, no matter what."
When it comes to the Rose Bowl, this confidence stems from a personal connection to the stadium that dates back to his days as a player and a young assistant.
But when asked to recount his fortunate moments, those times when fate seemed to intervene on his behalf, Neuheisel offers some curious examples. His idea of luck, it seems, is a little different.
1982, USC vs. UCLA
It was a dream come true, an undersized walk-on quarterback from Tempe, Ariz., finding a place on the roster at UCLA. Sure, Neuheisel was only the holder for kicks that season, but he got in the game.
Early on, the junior backup tried to turn an extra-point attempt into a two-point play and was hit hard, separating his shoulder. The trainer taped him up on the sideline.
"No way was I coming out," he said. "I told the center, snap it low because I can't reach up for the ball."
More than two decades later, there is a memento of that day in his office, a photograph of UCLA's Karl Morgan sacking USC quarterback Scott Tinsley on the final play to seal the Bruins' 20-19 victory.
"I loved being part of that game," Neuheisel said.
1983, UCLA vs. Washington
The following season, Neuheisel earned the starting job, lost it and won it back. "Getting to play," he said. "I still can't believe that happened."
The Bruins and Huskies met in late October with the conference lead at stake. It was a back-and-forth game that UCLA finally clinched when safety Don Rogers intercepted a Washington pass with less than a minute remaining.
Afterward, people congratulated Neuheisel on his performance. He had no idea what they were talking about.
