Jerry Neuheisel: It means the world to me to be a Bruin

Jerry Neuheisel has bright blond hair, bright enough that it looks as if he plays water polo. He jokes that to be recognized as a football player, he had to wear a “UCLA Football” sweatshirt.

After the week that Neuheisel has had, there won’t be much need for that sweatshirt anymore.

The sophomore quarterback was named the Pac-12 offensive player of the week after he entered the game for starter Brett Hundley and led the Bruins to a come-from-behind victory over Texas last week. He completed 23 of 30 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns, including a 33-yard touchdown pass that rainbowed down the sideline and put UCLA ahead for good.

After the game, Neuheisel was lifted on the shoulders of his teammates, who chanted his name as they carried him.

“It was one of the coolest experiences of my life,” Neuheisel said Wednesday. “The fact that my teammates felt good enough about the game and the way I played to lift me up on their shoulders honestly means the world to me. It means the world to me to be a Bruin and wear the blue and gold, so to be lifted up by my teammates in celebration of our victory, I mean, it’s giving me goosebumps right now … it’s just an unbelievable experience.”

The status of Hundley remains unclear. He injured his left elbow against Texas, but entered practice Wednesday without a brace or sleeve on his left elbow. There’s some built-in recovery time, as the Bruins have a bye this week before heading to Arizona State next Thursday.

Even if Hundley can’t play, UCLA Coach Jim Mora wouldn’t commit to Neuheisel being the backup. According to Mora, redshirt freshman Asiantii Woulard could be the guy taking Hundley’s place next time around. Regardless, Neuheisel is already feeling better about things if his number is called.

“I would definitely say there’s a newfound confidence,” Neuheisel said. “There’s always that bit of indecision, ‘Can I do it or not?’ I got a little time last year, but my first real game experience came against Utah, and I got a snap over my head, so that sets in a little bit of doubt. But to go in and for it to go as well as it did, it definitely sends a little confidence through me.”

Neuheisel that he felt a little nervous for Wednesday’s practice, the first since the Texas game, because he felt as if he had to show up a little more. People expect things of the Pac-12 offensive player of the week.

If Hundley is healthy, he’s the starter. No questions asked. But after Texas, where Neuheisel proved that he’s more than capable of taking over a game, he might not need that sweatshirt for much longer.

For more Bruin observations, follow Everett Cook on Twitter @everettcook