BUCK STOPS AT MCNOWN.Byline: KEVIN MODESTI What if Wally Pipp The course of human events might have been altered, and nobody would have been the wiser. Historians do a nice job of recording assassinations, revolutions and such, but ignore the turning points that don't happen. Like the one that didn't happen Saturday at the Rose Bowl while UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX was beating Washington State 38-14. This might have been the day that Steve Buck, the Bruins' sophomore backup quarterback, lifted the job from Cade McNown Cade McNown (born January 12 1977 in Portland, Oregon) is a quarterback who played in the National Football League. He attended played college football at the University of California, Los Angeles. , the Bruins' sophomore starting quarterback. Coach Bob Toledo Bob Toledo (born March 4, 1946, in San Jose, California) is an American football coach, recently hired as head coach at Tulane University. He is best-known as the thirteenth head coach at UCLA. had made no secret of his plan to yank Yank steamship stoker vainly tries to climb the social ladder, then fails in attempt to avenge himself on society. [Am. Drama: O’Neill The Hairy Ape in Sobel, 339] See : Failure (jargon) yank McNown if he and the offense struggled as they had in last week's come-from-ahead loss to Stanford. McNown came into the Washington State game as the Pacific-10 Conference's 10th-ranked passer. UCLA fans expect better. So this might have been the start of the Buck Era. Or, at the very least, the kickoff of UCLA's 1997 quarterback controversy. In fact, you would have bet on it at one point in the first half. McNown, despite starting the Bruins' first four possessions near midfield, had led them to only seven points - and that was thanks to a 38-yard Skip Hicks Brian "Skip" LaVell Hicks (born October 13, 1974 in Corsicana, Texas) is a former American football running back in the NFL. In his four seasons, Hicks played for the Washington Redskins and the Tennessee Titans. run. McNown had thrown the interception that led to the Cougars' tying touchdown. As McNown jogged to the huddle for the Bruins' first series of the second quarter, Buck began to warm up, playing catch behind the bench. ``I'm hoping and expecting to get my chance,'' Buck said later. ``When that comes, I've got to be ready.'' But this would not be the day. For one thing, Buck had a mild case of the flu, and although he said that ``wasn't going to stop me,'' Toledo wasn't eager to use him. In fact, none of the coaches had asked Buck to take those warmup tosses. Still, the guess here is that McNown saw what was going on and saw his UCLA career pass before his eyes, because he reacted in the manner that has become his custom. McNown is not UCLA's next Troy Aikman Troy Kenneth Aikman (born November 21, 1966 in West Covina, California) is a former American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League, and currently a television sportscaster for the Fox network. , or even its next Tommy Maddox Thomas (Tommy) Alfred Maddox (born September 2, 1971 in Shreveport, Louisiana) was a football quarterback in the NFL who most recently played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. High school career At L.D. , but he has a quality that many more gifted quarterbacks never acquire. He responds to challenges. Thus, it came as no surprise that with his job on the line, McNown turned in a perfect series, leading the Bruins to the touchdown that put them ahead for good. On second-and-9 at the UCLA 21: McNown threw a fastball to Derek Ayers over the middle for 9 yards and a first down. On second-and-1 at the UCLA 39: McNown threw deep to Danny Farmer Danny Farmer, born 1977, is a former National Football League and University of California, Los Angeles wide receiver.[1] In 2000, he was drafted in the fourth round (103) by the Pittsburgh Steelers. for a 52-yard gain. On second-and-goal at the Washington State 10: McNown, who is left-handed, rolled to the left, pivoted and threw a screen pass back to the right. Hicks Hicks , Edward 1780-1849. American painter of primitive works, notably The Peaceable Kingdom, of which nearly 100 versions exist. carried it into the end zone. This was McNown at his best. Even Buck enjoyed watching as his teammate and rival later threw touchdown passes of 24 yards to Hicks and 16 yards to Mike Grieb in a 16-for-32, 230-yard, two-interception performance. ``He's exciting,'' Buck said. ``He makes plays.'' The coaches said they never thought about replacing McNown Saturday. He didn't give them the chance. Toledo had told McNown in no uncertain terms what was expected. The coach joked, ``He doesn't like me right now, after the little talk we had. I was like a father to him. Now I feel like a stepfather.'' Maybe that's why Toledo saw a different McNown this time - ``very focused, very intense. . . . He could have played linebacker for us today.'' The red-haired McNown admitted he was a little fired up Saturday. ``Our backs were to the wall, mine in particular,'' he said as he walked off the field. ``I knew my play was under the microscope. I was aware of that. I tried to be as focused as I could and mistake-free as I could.'' Said Bruins offensive coordinator An offensive coordinator typically refers to the coach on a football team in the National Football League or College football who is in charge of the offense. This position aids the head coach by designing and scripting plays, delegating work to offensive position coaches during and quarterbacks coach Al Borges Alan Borges (born October 8, 1955 in Salinas, California) is an American college football coach and the current offensive coordinator of the Auburn University football team. : ``Some kids really react well to pressure. He did that today.'' Added receiver Jim McElroy James Charles McElroy, Jr. (born October 4, 1953 in Cotton Plant, Arkansas) is an American former professional basketball player. A 6'3" guard from Central Michigan University, McElroy played in the National Basketball Association from 1975 to 1982 as a member of the New : ``He always comes through in tough situations.'' He did it in 1995. Each time a poor effort put the pressure on, McNown came back the next week with one of his best games. Now the Bruins coaches have another demand: They'd like to see McNown and his teammates do it two weeks in a row. Arizona is next on the UCLA schedule. Wildcats, watch out. Steve Buck, enjoy watching. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos Photo: (1--color) UCLA fans greet Skip Hicks after a second-quarter touchdown, one of three on the day for the UCLA tailback. (2) With his left hand, Washington State's Michael Black gets the ball over the goal line for a first-quarter touchdown. Myung J. Chun / Daily News |
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