Jerry Neuheisel’s Cinderella Story in Texas Saved the Bruins’ Season
In what could only be described as an unlikely turn of events, an unlikely hero emerged to save the UCLA Bruins from disaster: the coach’s son, Jerry Neuheisel. And yes, that would be the former coach’s son.
Heading into the game, the Bruins were expected to easily handle a Texas Longhorns team that in recent years hasn’t exactly been the college football powerhouse it used to be. Before the Bruins had really had a chance to assert themselves, however, starting quarterback Brett Hundley tried to break his fall at the end of run, and hyper-extended his left elbow. The immediate reaction of the team and its supporters: that sinking feeling one gets when one knows that disaster has struck.
Sep 13, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) is injured on the play after an apparent left elbow injury during the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
On came back-up Jerry Neuheisel, who had universally been thought of as just the coach’s son–that being the former coach, Rick Neuheisel, Head Coach Jim Mora’s predecessor, who is now a studio football analyst for Pac-12 Networks. But for those close to the UCLA football program, Neuheisel has been known as a good kid who knows the game of football and actually has some talent. During spring practices and the Spring Showcase earlier this year, I observed with my own eyes that Neuheisel has solid arm strength and throws a very nice spiral. He’s not particularly big, strong, or athletic, but he’s a functional quarterback. In other words, an ideal back-up.
Jerry Neuheisel immediately led the Bruins down the field after replacing Hundley, and Ka’imi Fairbairn gave UCLA an early 3-0 lead by kicking a 47-yard field goal. The Bruins seemed to lose their way a bit in the second quarter, with Jim Mora not willing to give Neuheisel a chance to make any plays, and the Longhorns in turn appeared to sense that they had a chance to upset the then 12th-ranked Bruins. Texas aggressively went after Neuheisel and ended up taking a 10-3 lead into halftime, as the Bruins’ offense stalled.
Sep 13, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Jerry Neuheisel (11) scrambles against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium. The Bruins beat the Longhorns 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA came out of halftime determined, and the first play from scrimmage was a 58-yard run by running back Paul Perkins. A few more runs and a couple of passes later, the Bruins scored a touchdown (on Neuheisel’s 3-yard pass to Nate Iese) to tie the game at 10.
Texas wouldn’t go away, however, and the Bruins found themselves down 17-13 with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. While Mora had pretty much kept the reigns on Neuheisel after he replaced Hundley, the Bruins appeared to have a ‘back-up offense’ in place, featuring a lot of runs and a lot of short, quick passes. On the night, Perkins ran for 126 yards on 24 carries and Jordon James had 69 yards on only 8 carries. That’s a combined 195 rushing yards on 32 carries.
After being held in check all game, Ishmael Adams came up with a huge 45-yard punt return, sprung by a vicious block by special teams player Cameron Judge, to get the Bruins to the Longhorns’ 33-yard line. On the very next play, Neuheisel planted his feet in the pocket, pump-faked, then launched a perfect 30-yard spiral to Jordan Payton, the Bruins’ number one receiver, who had made a beautiful move to get open down the left sideline, and easily strolled in to the end-zone. The Bruins went on to close out the game and Neuheisel, still casually parting his surfer blond hair, was raised up onto the shoulders of teammates to celebrate.
Sep 13, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Jordan Payton (9) makes a touchdown against the Texas Longhorns during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The sudden, and apparently miraculous, turn of events left me stunned and overjoyed–which is exactly how most Bruins, Bruins fans, and former coach Rick Neuheisel, felt at that very same moment. UCLA went from absolute disaster, to absolute amazement, within a couple of hours. With news during the Bruins’ bye week that Hundley’s elbow appears to be improving enough that he may be able to start against Arizona State on Thursday, the Bruins averted disaster in Texas with Neuheisel’s miracle, and get back their star quarterback just in time for conference play and a showdown with the Sun Devils.
If that’s the highlight of Jerry Neuheisel’s career at UCLA, I can’t imagine that he’ll feel too sorry for himself, especially if the Bruins somehow manage to win a championship at the end of the season. After all, it will have been Neuheisel’s miracle that saved the Bruins’ season.