Ball Isn’t Proud of Illegal Hit

Much has been made of the physical nature of the UCLA defense. But end Dave Ball went too far Saturday when he slammed Washington quarterback Taylor Barton after an interception.

The hit made television highlights and UCLA Coach Bob Toledo, who said he didn’t see the play when it happened, was horrified. He asked defensive line coach Don Johnson to speak with Ball, who quickly offered to write a letter of apology to Barton.

“It was a bonehead thing I did,” Ball said. “I just got excited.”

The sophomore lineman got off easy. If he were in the NFL, he would have been fined several thousand dollars.

Ball hit Barton twice on the play. The first was a clean shot just after the quarterback delivered a pass. As both players were getting up, Ball saw that cornerback Matt Ware had picked off the pass, raised his fists above his head and slammed Barton back to the ground from behind. He was called for a personal foul, but UCLA retained possession.

UCLA players are taught to block the quarterback after an interception, but Ball’s hit was more suited for a WWF match. Barton, who was sacked four times, suffered a concussion at some point during the game and spent the night in a Los Angeles hospital.

“I didn’t want to hurt him,” Ball said. “I really am sorry and I thought a letter was the best way to tell him.”

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Brian Poli-Dixon, UCLA’s leading receiver, will not play against California on Saturday and probably will miss at least one more game because of a dislocated left shoulder. The senior had four catches against Washington, giving him 14 for 234 yards this season.

Ryan Smith, who has been quiet since making four catches including a touchdown against Ohio State, will start in Poli-Dixon’s place. Fifth-year senior Devon Reese will be the backup.

“Brian has really come on of late and now I feel bad for him,” Smith said. “I don’t think I can replace him, but I need to make plays when my number is called.”

Strongside linebackers Mat Ball (knee and calf bruise) and Brandon Chillar (quad bruise) are day-to-day, and Toledo said redshirt freshman Tim Warfield will get a good look at the position in practice.

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UCLA’s kickoff coverage team, under fire for not hustling downfield, was required by coaches to sprint to the goal line even when Nate Fikse booted the ball out of the end zone or out of bounds.

“They realized we were serious about it,” Toledo said. “They touched the line, every one of them.”