The Bruins are back in business after a wild, seesaw affair against the 18th ranked Vols

SCOTT JACOBS

It was the quintessential start to a hire questioned from sea to shining sea.

Was Rick Neuheisel the right man to turn around the Bruins people asked? No one doubted his credentials, the man wins games wherever he goes. But it was his ever-growing rap sheet of NCAA violations that made UCLA’s hire of the former Bruin QB questionable.

Well, at least for now, question it no more.

After UCLA’s wild 27-24 OT win over Tennessee on Labor Day in primetime, not only does UCLA now have a new pep in their step, they can once again, dream big. Big as in Cade McCown big, when the big QB led the Bruins to an almost undefeated season back in the late 90’s.

Practically an afterthought in LA since the USC Trojans began their rampage through college football in the 21st century, the Trojans not only stole UCLA’s thunder, they demolished the rap that LA was a two team town.

But no longer.

After a wildly awful first half from third string QB Kevin Craft, who threw 4 interceptions in the first 30 minutes, including one taken back for a touchdown, the Bruins looked like they had a mess at their QB situation. But Craft responded beautifully, completing 18 passes in the second half, including a laser beam touchdown pass to tight end Ryan Moya, which gave the Bruins a three point lead with less than a minute to go.

But it was short lived, after a squib kick (don’t teams learn?) gave the Vols quality field position, with one time out. Tennessee’s QB Johnathon Crompton led the Vols down the field in a perfectly excuted display, and the Vols were able to tie the game when Daniel Lincoln nailed a 47 yarder as time expired.

But the Vols weren’t going to win this game. Not on the day that Neuheisel put his first stamp on a UCLA program that now looks to be back on the rise. After Kai Forbath nailed a 42 yarder, the Vols played safe (again, don’t teams learn) and settled for a field goal attempt from Lincoln, who just missed a 34 yard field goal. And that was it.

A game many Bruin fans circled on their schedule for months, was over. The Bruins had won.

They aren’t going to challenge for a national title, nor are they likely to figure in the Pac10 title discussion this year, but when the dust settles, and Neuheisel gets a year or two under his belt, this team will be good. Damn good.

Just like this game. The best game of the weekend, was the last one of the weekend. College football is back, and this one put a stamp on a pretty entertaining weekend.

For UCLA it’s the start of a new era. The Neuheisel Era. And for now, the former Bruin, is having the time of his life.

Will it last?

If he doesn’t screw up, why the heck not!

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