Washington at UCLA

After getting home at about 12:30 a.m. Saturday from the Cabrillo game Friday night, Laurie, Vanessa, Mike and I headed to Pasadena to watch the beloved 3-5 University of Washington Huskies take on the also

3-5 UCLA Bruins at 12:30 p.m.

Where did they play the game you ask?

Why, at the Rose Bowl of course!

We were going to be part of a crowd of 72, 924 fans in attendance on this bright, crisp Autumn afternoon.

UCLA Powder Blue was everywhere

But there was a lot of Husky Purple to be seen as well!

Some Bruin fans were engaged in a Husky pre-game BBQ

An oasis of Husky Purple and Gold

The Brookside Golf Course Country Club would serve as our pre-game headquarters. The 36 hole golf course surrounds the Rose Bowl and serves as a parking lot on game day.

The older I get, the more I have come to believe that going to a Washington football game is 25% about the actual game and 75% about renewing forty+ year old friendships like the ones you are about to see.

Our dear friends from Seattle,

The Johnsons

Sisters Sophie and Mallory with

Susie and Mark

We always look forward to seeing them and catching up with what is going on in their lives. Mark got us our tickets for the game so as we sat with them during the game and we caught up even more!

Hey, I just noted that 6 foot - 7 inch, Peter Claridge is in the background and I didn't visit with him yesterday. Damn! How on earth could I have missed him???

Kathy and Carl Sweet

Carl is a great high school football coach who I think should really look into coaching in Europe now that he is retired. He has the perfect demeanor for the European scene!

GO DAWGS!!!

Mike D'Antuono, a.k.a., "The Tuna"

Just a GREAT, GREAT guy! Mike is easygoing and always leaves me smiling.

UCLA pageantry on display!

HERE COME THE DAWGS!!!

DAWGS on Defense

Paul and Jason Sabolic

Paul still coaches high school football as a volunteer coach. He lives and dies on EVERY Husky snap every Saturday in the Fall.

Paul's son Jason coaches at L.A. Pierce College and had to leave at halftime to prepare for a huge game for them last night at home against Antelope Valley College. Jason's Brahmas overcame an 11 point deficeit in the fourth quarter to win the game 44-41! Pierce is now 7-2 on the season and wrapped up both the American Pacific Conference championship and an automatic berth in the California State Community College Championship Tournament.

At half time it was all smiles!

The Huskies led 16-14 and Mark, Paul, Mike and I were feeling good about our chances except for he nagging feeling that having to settle for three field goals instead of touchdowns might come back to haunt us.

What the. . .

There's no braiding in football!!!

By the middle of the third quarter, Vanessa and Mallory were starting to lose their normally INTENSE game day concentration.

UCLA's version of the Wildcat Offense was troublesome!

Laurie and Mike beaming with

UW confidence!

We entered the fourth quarter still leading by two points, 23-21, after trading third quarter TDs.

It was not meant to be, UCLA kicked a field goal at the start of the final period to go up 24-23. The Bruin defense did the rest by keeping the Huskies out of the end zone including the UW's ever reliable kicker, Erik Folk, who uncharacteristically missed a potential game winning field goal late in the contest.

We needed those 6 point TDs early instead of the 3 point field goals as we all feared at the intermission!

After Saturday's 24-23 loss to UCLA, the Huskies are now 3-6 and play at 6-3 Oregon State next Saturday. . .

GO DAWGS!!!

Meanwhile, in the rest of the college football world. . .

HÄSSLEHOLM LOVES THEIR 'CANES!

Miami Hurricanes (7-2) 52 - Virginia 17

Houston 46 - Tulsa Golden Hurricanes (4-5) 45

TEAMS OF INTEREST TO SICILY

Brandon: Willamette (7-2) 50 - Puget Sound 6

Denver: Wabash (8-1) 41 - Hiram 0

Matt: *Hardin-Simmons (6-4) 21 - McMurry 10

Jason: Arizona (6-2) 48 - Washington State 7

Larry: *Nebraska-Omaha (7-4) 30 - Missouri Western 21

Taber: Davidson 34 - San Diego (3-6) 27

* Unless they somehow make the NCAA playoffs, I believe that both Matt and Larry's old colleges are done for the 2009 season.