Something Will Be Missing

Of all the opportunities lost in the failure to make a bowl game--a chance for seniors to end their careers on a glamorous note, a chance for TV exposure, a chance for the program to say it at least finished fifth in the conference--the biggest might be the one most overlooked.

Missed practices.

“I think that’s the biggest thing,” Coach Bob Toledo said.

The Bruins could have practiced for much of December, providing not only the opportunity for the current team to get better, but for future UCLA teams to improve since the players redshirting would also get to work out. Instead, the season ends Nov. 20, the final official on-field activity until spring.

“One of the biggest effects is not being able to practice younger players about 19 more times,” Toledo said. “That’s one of the advantages of a bowl game, that you get more practice opportunities. The more you practice and the more you play in a game, the better you get.”

The chance to stay visible and therefore in the minds of potential recruits, on the other hand, is apparently minimal. The previous months will have taken care of that.

“I think some recruits right now think they come and step in immediately,” Toledo said, laughing.

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Ed Stansbury, the backup middle linebacker, will need surgery after the season to repair a knee injury, but is going to try to play the final two games.