Bruins Won’t Go Bowling

Humanitarian Bowl overtures were spurned by UCLA on Monday, ending the Bruins’ last chance at a postseason berth.

Athletic Director Pete Dalis refused to be drawn into a bidding war against the other finalists, Mississippi and Clemson, balking at a requirement for a $350,000 corporate sponsorship.

Original requirements for the at-large team were to sell a minimum of 5,000 tickets at $33 apiece and stay in Boise from Dec. 26-31. But the demands grew as bowl officials talked to each school.

“When you combine those totals with other costs associated with a bowl, such as air transportation and housing and feeding of the players, we projected a loss of about $300,000,” Dalis said. “We never said we weren’t interested in playing in the game, just unwilling to lose several hundred thousand dollars to play.”

Dalis said the money would be better spent on a new on-campus locker room that will also house an expanded weight room, medical training center and meeting rooms. The facility will be built next year.

The Humanitarian is expected today to fill the at-large berth.

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Bruin quarterback Scott McEwan was named Pacific 10 Conference offensive player of the week for his performance in the 52-42 victory over Arizona State.

The fifth-year senior, making his first career start, completed 20 of 36 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns.