Two Bruins Deal With Badger Ties

The UCLA roster includes two players with strong Wisconsin connections.

Third-string tight end Bryan Fletcher is the brother of the San Diego Chargers’ Terrell Fletcher, who played for the Badgers.

Terrell plans to be at the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1--apparently to root for the Bruins. “The blood line obviously has something to do with him being on my side,” Bryan said. “But he’s still a die-hard Badger. Blood is thicker than water, but he definitely has some Badger blood in him.”

Defensive back Larry Clements, primarily a member of the UCLA scout team, is from LaCrosse, Wis., and one of his sisters lives in Madison, home of the Badgers. He spent the two-day Christmas break in Wisconsin, seeing friends and family, and catching an earful about his Rose Bowl opponents.

“A bunch of people who know me were saying that Wisconsin is going to run right over us,” Clements said. “Being a defensive back and playing in the scout team, I had to defend our team and give them a little trash-talking right back.

“I pretty much said it was going to be a blowout in our favor, that all we have to do is stop the run because they can’t stop our offense.”

Clements has gotten in for two plays this season, a pair of kickoffs against Washington State.

With his family in attendance at the Rose Bowl, and countless others watching in Wisconsin, he will at least be in uniform, but is hoping to play.

“It’d mean so much to me, mean so much to my family as well,” he said. “I’d really appreciate it. It would be a dream come true.”

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Sunday’s practice at Spaulding Field was one of the most spirited of the year. It certainly was the most conflict filled, with several brief scuffles, most with tackle Kris Farris in the middle.

“A real emotional and physical practice,” center Shawn Stuart said.

“I think we’re doing a good job trying to prepare. I think that’s what it is. A sense of urgency. We know Wisconsin is a very good team and we want to be ready.”