LOS ANGELES (AP) — When the raw emotion from UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel’s firing began to settle in Westwood, the Bruins realized they’ve still got one or two games to play this season.
With disappointment and determination, UCLA went back to work just a few hours after Neuheisel was canned by athletic director Dan Guerrero on Monday. Neuheisel joined the Bruins again on the practice field late that night, preparing to coach UCLA (6-6, 5-4 Pac-12) in Friday’s conference title game at Oregon.
UCLA is a 30-point underdog to the powerful Ducks, but Neuheisel’s players insist they haven’t given up hope of a stunning upset. Several Bruins acknowledged being in a fog after Neuheisel’s dismissal, but the coach insists his team will be ready to play at Autzen Stadium.
