Who loves the Bruins?
According to Rose Bowl officials, more than 480,000 people
do.
That is the season total expected following this weekend’s
game. The nearly half-million people will break the all-time
attendance record of 442,850 achieved in 1988.
The Bruins drew an average of 68,000 fans per game this year,
good for third all-time.
Crosstown connections
There are plenty of connections between UCLA and USC. UCLA head
coach Bob Toledo coached at USC from 1976 to 1978, and current
Trojan head coach Paul Hackett was on the USC staff at that time.
UCLA linebacker Ryan Nece is the son of ex-USC All-American and
former Raider and 49er Ronnie Lott.
UCLA linebacker Kevin Stromsborg is the brother of former USC
baseball player Ryan Stromsborg and the grandson of former USC
basketball player Steve Miletich.
UCLA assistant coach Gary Bernardi was a USC assistant from
1987-1992.
Even the trainers are getting in on the action. USC head trainer
Russ Romano spent the 1997 year at UCLA.
QB changes from year to year
In last year’s game against USC, the Bruins had to go with
backup quarterback Ryan McCann. This year, Cory Paus will start
under center. Last year’s USC starter was John Fox, who
graduated in the spring.
The Trojan starter is a bit of a mystery this year. Sophomore
Carson Palmer has started throughout the year, but was pulled in
favor of Mike Van Raaphorst in USC’s loss to Washington State
last week.
On Monday, however, Hackett said he would give Palmer the start
against the Bruins.
Rose Bowl or Coliseum?
USC is 24-26 in total games played at the Rose Bowl. While the
Trojans have won just twice against UCLA in regular season games,
they are 20-8 in the Rose Bowl game.
Farewell
There are 14 UCLA seniors who will play their final game at the
Rose Bowl this Saturday.
They are: cornerback Jason Bell, wide receiver Drew Bennett,
offensive guard Oscar Cabrera, tight end Gabe Crecion, defensive
back John Hall, tailback Jermaine Lewis, defensive tackle Kory
Lombard, offensive guard Brian Polak, tailback Mike Vanis,
offensive tackle Josh Webb, offensive tackle Micah Webb, outside
linebacker Tony White, wide receiver Ryan Wilkins and free safety
Jason Zdenek.
However, there is another important Bruin who will see his last
days on the UCLA sideline. This will also be the final game in the
career of head equipment manager Richard “Nick”
Nichols, who is retiring at the end of this month after 40 years of
service to the Athletic Department.
A very inclusive team
The Bruins appear to be trying to use every player possible this
year. So far, nine different players have started on the defensive
line. In addition, eight different players have thrown a pass, and
nine different players made their first career starts this
year.
Notes compiled by Adam Karon, Daily Bruin Reporter.