LOS ANGELES - UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel doesn't have fond memories of his first season opener against an SEC team.
Neuheisel, whose Bruins open the 2008 season against Tennessee on Monday night, made his first start at quarterback for the Bruins in the 1983 opener against Georgia. He got the full-Bulldog experience at Sanford Stadium.
"I knew it would be a tough night when Uga threw up on my shoes," he said. "I don't remember which Uga it was."
Neuheisel threw a crucial fourth-quarter interception as the Bulldogs claimed a 19-8 victory, and Uga IV went home happy.
The loss in Athens was part of a rocky beginning for the 1983 Bruins, who started the year 0-3-1. They then won six of their last seven regular-season games to win the Pac-10 championship.
In the Rose Bowl, Neuheisel overcame food poisoning to throw for four touchdowns in UCLA's 45-9 victory over Illinois.
Speed Read: Neuheisel expressed the same concern you hear from most coaches when preparing for an SEC team: speed on defense.
"Schematically, they're extremely sound," Neuheisel said. "It's not overly complicated, but (defensive coordinator John Chavis' system) allows his players to be free of mind to run and run and run.
"You'll get guys open but not for long."
Sudden Impact: Freshman Rahim Moore, a high school All-American defensive back, has the look of a future star, according to some of the media who have covered UCLA's preseason training camp. He will open the season as one of the Bruins' starting safeties.
"I've got high expectations for Rahim," Neuheisel said. "I don't think you put a freshman into the fray unless you have high expectations.
"I'm thrilled with some of our freshmen. There will be growing pains, but there are a host of kids who have blossomed early."
Injury Update: Starting offensive tackle Micah Kia, who has missed practice time with a broken hand, practiced with his habd in a cast Monday. ... All-Pac-10 defensive tackle Brigham Harwell, who has been bothered by back spasms, is expected to be at full speed for today’s practice. ... Wide receiver Terrence Austin injured his wrist in practice, but Neuheisel said X-rays were negative and he expects Austin to be OK for the game.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 16
SmokeDog72 writes:
Rick Neuheisel:
Long lost love child of Spurrier.
LiveFaith writes:
KNS,
Please label articles from JA all the time. That way we can skip them and go on to things that we may be able to respect and deem trustworthy.
Thanks
DannyVol writes:
Yep I got tricked too. If I knew it was Adams, I would have skipped it as well. Then I read a story about UCLA vs. Georgia. Go figure.
ravensearay writes:
Tennessee by 30!!!!!
redstickvol writes:
Does anybody know what a habd is? I can't for the life of me think of what it might be! Once again, stellar work JA, stellar.
pms151 writes:
Why don't all of you JA bashers go over to the UTsports site. It's all painted orange over there. Hey maybe you can bash Bud Ford for fun.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Anyone catch the "Its not overly complicated"!
Well, he'll see complicated on the other side of the ball when we dazzle 'em with a dive play off right tackle.
His head will spin with a 4 yard out on 3rd and 9.
Pshaaw, if he wants dazzling "D", just rewatch Kaintuck from 2007. I don't know why I have seen that 4 times on CBS Sports channel. Maybe it was hoping we tackled someone in the 2nd half.
Feel better now. Vols, just don't get the deer in the headlights look, ala Cal. Chow will bring it, now that he has a QB who understands most of the plays.
Go Vols!
auttat writes:
Wow! 6-4-1 won the Pac-10 that year. Tough conference I guess.
auttat writes:
Didn't iam4ua just get arrested in Colorado?
vol4gzus writes:
I believe that is a DEFAMATORY comment....see ya! ur4ua that is...it isn't on topic for that matter either.
BigOrangeVol writes:
Slick Rick has NEVER coached against an SEC team in his life and the only game he played against an SEC team in his career he lost. So in 383 days he'll be 0-3 lifetime versus the SEC.
That .69 winning percentage would have really taken a hit if he had scattered in a few SEC teams in his eight years as a college football coach.
Six days away and we're still a 7 1/2 point favorite on the road 2,200 miles from home.
I've seen UCLA ranked anywhere from 34th to 47th.
iowavol writes:
Livefaith and dannyvol, me too. I read the whole dang article and then saw Adams name at the end. I truly felt like throwing up but then realized how badly written the article was and just marked it up to second class journalism.
Adams is worthless. He is belly button lint, something you pick out and throw away.
givehim6 writes:
Uga throws up on opposing teams QB'S shoes, Smokey runs the QB's down and rips there shoe off! Oh, it's hand john.
vol4gzus writes:
Ya'll noticed like I did too late that JA was writer as I am also on the JA protest mode. His writes it I don't read it.
On topic, Neuheisel and company will be ready injury depleted or not. So VOLS bring your A game out west!
vol4gzus writes:
Bruise cruise took a Broadside hit by a seed that was spit....General..ly speaking. She's going down mate.....
JA loves UGA? New UGA this year since one recently passed away.
volboy81#211803 writes:
we need to make sure we give ole Tricky Ricky another dose of SEC Football. Turn 'em every way but loose!
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