Bruins Get a Win on Field, but a Setback in the Wallet

UCLA ended up using about 4,000 of its Cotton Bowl ticket allotment, selling what it could and giving some to its players (who could get six each) and official party.

That meant the school had to buy between 8,000-9,000, at $55 each, which also means UCLA lost money on the trip.

Though a final accounting will not come until later in January, losses are expected to approach $200,000.

UCLA finally gave away 2,500 tickets for the game to Dallas-area Boy Scouts.

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Former UCLA tackle Jonathan Ogden dropped by en route to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl, and was on the sidelines and taking the blame when the Bruins were down, 16-0.

“I thought it was my fault,” said Ogden, who played on two UCLA teams that lost in bowl games before starring with the Baltimore Ravens.

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Future Trojan? Texas A&M; assistant coach Shawn Slocum, son of the head coach, said he has been contacted by USC about becoming a linebacker/special teams coach with the Trojans and will make a quick decision after discussing it with his family.

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Quarterback Cade McNown became UCLA’s first 3,000-yard passer, moving past Tom Ramsey, who set the previous record of 2,986 in 1982. McNown finished the season with 3,116 yards, and his 41-yard touchdown pass to Skip Hicks gave him 24 scoring passes this season, tying him with Troy Aikman (1988). . . . UCLA’s Jim McElroy just missed his goal of a 1,000-yard receiving season. He had five catches for 84 yards to finish with 988 yards. . . . Hicks’ 31 carries tied a Cotton Bowl record set by Auburn’s Bo Jackson in 1986.

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There won’t be much time off for a group of Bruins moonlighting as two-sport athletes. Wide receiver Danny Farmer starts practice Monday as a member of UCLA’s volleyball team. Gabe Crecion, Ryan Roques, Billy Pieper, Freddie Mitchell and Cody Joyce are heading off to play baseball. McElroy, Damian Allen, Marques Anderson and Ed Stansbury are set for the track team.