Ball becomes UCLA career sack leader PULLMAN,
Wash. ““ After recording his historic sack, UCLA senior
defensive end Dave Ball didn’t do anything out of the
ordinary. He made a funny face. After the game, the smile was gone.
Setting records, after all, was bittersweet for Ball. “When I
get records, we lose,” Ball said. Ball became the all-time
career sack leader in school history with 27.5 after taking down
Washington State quarterback Josh Swogger in the second quarter. He
had tied Eric Smith (1984-88) for the record with a sack last
Saturday during a 21-14 loss to Stanford. This latest sack also
gave Ball 13.5 on the season, establishing a new single-season
school record and moving him ahead of Carnell Lake, who had 13 in
1987. Ball had already made his presence felt in the first quarter
with a blindside hit on Cougar starter Matt Kegel, who re-injured
his sprained right shoulder and did not return. Now, with the
Bruins in a downward spiral, all Ball wants to hit is the practice
field. “We just have to take it one day at a time,”
Ball said. “And I don’t have much time left.”
UNWELCOME VISITOR: Moments after the Bruins
returned to their locker room, the silence that came with dejection
was broken. “Get him out of here!” was the yell heard
coming from behind closed doors. Players later said it was directed
toward a Washington State fan who had snuck into the locker room
and begun an obscenity-laced chant.
EBELL IS BACK: Sophomore tailback Tyler Ebell
had a season-high 105 yards on 12 carries. He was a game-time
scratch from the starting lineup because he needed more time
warming up after missing half a week of practice due to the stomach
flu, according to coach Karl Dorrell. Freshman Maurice Drew made
his first career start in Ebell’s place and had 77 yards on
19 attempts by halftime, but after losing his second fumble of the
game in third quarter, he gave way to Ebell.
INJURY REPORT: Junior cornerback Matt Ware
forced a fumble on his first play back after missing three games
due to a left high ankle sprain, and he later had an interception
“¦ Redshirt senior defensive tackle Rodney Leisle returned
from a left high ankle sprain for one play, a first-quarter
Washington State touchdown pass and catch, and was in street
clothes by the second half “¦ Sophomore wide receiver Junior
Taylor was also in street clothes for the second half after
suffering a hip pointer “¦ Redshirt senior defensive end David
Tautofi made his first career start in place of Mat Ball, who had
his playing time limited due to a bulging disc in his back.
EXTRA POINTS: UCLA’s 12 penalties tied a
season-high that was set during the season-opener at Colorado and
cost the Bruins 109 yards “¦ Redshirt senior wide receiver
Garrett Lepisto’s incomplete throwback pass to sophomore
quarterback Drew Olson was the first pass attempt by a
non-quarterback this season “¦ Walk-on wide receiver Damien
Scott, who did not make the road trip, served four aces in an
exhibition match on Friday for the men’s volleyball team.
Compiled by Diamond Leung, Bruin Sports Senior
Staff.