COLLEGE FOOTBALL REPORT : WEEKDAY UPDATE : UCLA : Maddox Impresses Friends, Foes

Quarterback Tommy Maddox threw three interceptions when UCLA lost to Arizona, 28-21, Saturday at the Rose Bowl. However, he earned the respect of an opponent and a teammate.

Arizona free safety Jeff Hammerschmidt, who intercepted one of Maddox’s passes, said the Bruin quarterback is the best his team has faced this year. “He’s such a leader,” Hammerschmidt said. “I don’t know how many times he came up to the line, saw our defense and checked off to another play.

“He’s incredible, and the team really believes in him. He’s just a big winner, and I can see why people love him over (in Los Angeles).”

UCLA wide receiver Reggie Moore said last year’s team didn’t always believe it could win. “This was a hard loss for us,” Moore said. “We thought all along we were going to win it. But we’re not going to fold. This team isn’t going to quit.”

He added that Maddox is a major reason for UCLA’s new attitude. “Tommy has tremendous poise,” he said.