Longshore for President!

Yesterday, Jim and I woke up at the crack of dawn to meet our friends to tailgate before the UCLA-Cal game. The game was a sell-out so cars were stacked 3 deep and most everyone arrived early to have plenty of time to eat, drink and be merry before the game started. And let's be honest, for us UCLA fans, the tailgate party could very well have been the highlight of the day. The last home game was a crushing loss to Notre Dame, we were playing a team that had been ranked #2 in country 2 weeks ago and well, our offense just sucked.

After finally getting a parking spot, breakfast burritos, muffins, mimosas and bloody marys were enjoyed by all. A pre-medication strategy was being employed by most of us --- if you're tipsy enough, a loss just wouldn't hurt as much... or at least that was the general thought. Around 11:45 or so, we finally made our way over to the stadium, took our seats and settled in for a long, hot day at the Rose Bowl. We are lucky enough (insert sarcastic tone) to have our season seats right next to the visitor section. To say that the Cal fans were obnoxious would be an understatement. Jim and I were already annoyed before the game had even started. Thankfully, we had a lot of fired up UCLA fans around us, which made the day much better.

The game started fairly well for us. Thankfully, we had our 2nd string QB back from a knee injury and he was playing well. Our offense didn't look nearly as bad as they have in past games and our defense was still playing great, as to be expected. At the half, the score was 14-13 Cal, keeping us still very much within reach. Nice!

Entering the field at the beginning of the 2nd half

Both teams scored TDs in the 3rd quarter and we started the 4th quarter still only down by 1 point. Late in the 4th quarter, UCLA capped off an 11-play drive with a field goal, putting us ahead by 2. Ugh, Cal got the ball back and made it down to our 30 yard line with very little time left. They only needed a field goal to win and it looked like they were going to be in a good position to get it. The only thing they couldn't do was turn the ball over. 3rd down and Longshore throws the ball to the left looking for his wide-receiver.... BUT NO!!! Interception! UCLA's DB Verner catches it and runs it back 76 yards for a UCLA TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!!

The crowd going nuts!

Very happy Bruin fans

I don't remember screaming this loud in recent memory. The crowd just went crazy and amazingly, those obnoxious Cal fans got reallllly quiet. CAl got the ball back with 2 minutes left, but a lob downfield by Longshore led to another UCLA interception and that was the ballgame!

The beautiful final score

Jim and I are both sun-burned, have no voices and massive headaches, but it was so worth it!! UCLA is now tied for #1 in the Pac-10 (unbelievable) and if Cowan can stay healthy, we might actually be in good shape for the rest of the season. There is nothing else to say really except

GO BRUINS!!!