Players Vow Unity, Dismiss Turmoil

UCLA, a team with inner turmoil in far more successful times, has pledged unity in the face of current struggles, promising to at least fade into the off-season together.

“It’s a difficult time,” Coach Bob Toledo said. “That’s one of the things I’ve talked to them about, and one of the things we’re doing is, we’re sticking together. There is not going to be a crack in the foundation.”

Said linebacker Ryan Nece: “The players are very mature on this team. I don’t think anybody’s going to be pointing fingers. We know that when you point a finger, you have three more pointing back at yourself.”

Others offered the same message. Most notable was fullback Durell Price, who addressed teammates late Saturday night in the locker room after the 33-7 loss to Arizona at the Rose Bowl, the Bruins’ third loss in a row and fifth in the last six games.

“I didn’t plan it,” Price said. “Coach Toledo asked if any player had anything to say. Being a senior, that was my opportunity. It hurts like hell.”

And what did he say?

“I told them I love ‘em,” Price said, “and to stick together.”

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The Bruins have failed to reach double digits in scoring in three consecutive weeks for the first time since 1964. The school record is seven games in a row, set in 1943. But maybe a tough defense was nothing less than acceptable for war time when some of the opponents included San Diego Navy, March Field and Del Monte Pre-Flight. . . . This isn’t the Arizona quarterback platoon of old. Keith Smith from Newbury Park High may only have started one more game there this season than Ortege Jenkins from Long Beach Jordan, but Smith stayed in until the fourth quarter Saturday. This came a month after Jenkins got only three series at quarterback. He has been playing more at receiver and caught two passes against UCLA, both of which extended scoring drives. . . . The crowd of 42,612 was the smallest for a Bruin home game in a little more than than two years, since Oct. 18, 1997, against Oregon State. Said Toledo of the scattered few who stayed until the end: “For them I’m grateful.”