Walk-on walks out a winner
By: Paul Walsh
Tuesday, January 03, 1984
PASADENA, Calif. Rich Neuheisel completed one Cinderella story within another Monday.
Beginning his college career as a walk-on, the Bruin quarterback riddled the Illinois secondary and gave UCLA the most lopsided Rose Bowl victory, 45-9, since 1960 when Washington defeated Wisconsin, 44-8.
Neuheisel had to wait until his senior year before earning the starting position, only to lose it early in the season to Steve Bono. He regained the job against Stanford and from there he led the Bruins to their second straight Pacific-10 title.
"I have to wonder who wrote this story," said Neuheisel, who completed 22 of 31 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns to earn player of the game honors. During one stretch in the first half he completed 10 straight passes.
"Things worked out very well for my entire career at UCLA," said the blond-haired pre-law student from Tempe, Ariz. "A lot of people wrote us off."
The final chapter Neuheisel's career almost had a disastrous ending. Neuheisel and about half-dozen other Bruins came down with a case of food poisoning early Monday morning after eating at a Westwood restaurant Sunday night.
Three Bruins starting defensive tackle David Randle, regular punter Kevin Bunafe and reserved noseguard Tory Pankopf didn't suit up for the game.
Neuheisel and a few other Bruins were also feeling the effects, though not as seriously.
"Food poisoning struck," said Neuheisel. "It struck pretty hard. I woke up at 4 in the morning and started sweating.
"At first I thought is was nerves, but I usually don't get nervous, even before big games. I threw up four times before the game."
Neuheisel said the illness did not hinder him during the game.
"I went out there and it really didn't affect me until I sat down and I got dizzy."
UCLA head coach Terry Donahue said the food poisoning incident made for "a real rough morning."
"I heard about it at about 4 (a.m.) an dwe had a handle on it by 6 or 7."
The digestive dilemma certainly didn't deter the Bruins, who finished the regular season 6-4-1 and have been defending their right to play in the Rose Bowl since they clinched the berth in late November.
"We didn't expect to win by that margin," said Donahue. "We were just glad to be here."
"Our players took somewhat personally the feelings that UCLA wasn't worthy to be in this game. Psychologically, the chemistry was perfect for an upset going into the game."
Donahue said he was "stunned" by the margin of victory.
"I'm still trying to get a feel for what happened out there. This is certainly one of the biggest wins in my career."
Donahue called Neuheisel's performance "one of the greatest in UCLA history."
Illinois had coach Mike White said Neuheisel "did some things against our defense that people haven't done all year."
Neuheisel insisted it wasn't as easy as it appeared.
"They gave us a lot of outs (outside pass routes) and never gave us the inside.