UCLA wary of Washington
UCLA FOOTBALL
Bruins have suffered through a tough season, but it could get worse -- much worse -- with a loss to winless Huskies.
As bad as this season has gone for UCLA, it could get worse. A lot worse.
On Saturday, the Bruins travel to Seattle to face a Washington team that has yet to win in nine games. Losing to the Huskies would rank as an embarrassment of national proportions.
Asked if this put added pressure on his players, Coach Rick Neuheisel said: "I don't think so. We just want to play a good football game."
Last weekend, the Huskies pulled all manner of tricks from their playbook -- reverses, direct snaps, a double pass -- to stick close to Arizona State through two quarters.
But they faded in the second half, losing 39-19 to fall to 0-9, 0-6 in conference.
The Washington defense surrendered three consecutive touchdowns. Quarterback Ronnie Fouch, playing for the injured Jake Locker, continued to struggle, completing only 13 of 40 passes with two interceptions.
He was also tackled in the end zone for a safety.
So the Huskies are eminently beatable, right?
"I'm not so concerned about the other team," Neuheisel said. "They've got their issues, we've got ours."
Wharton is a Times staff writer.
david.wharton@latimes.com
