UCLA blunts USC’s blade, dominoes will fall

UCLA took a big stand this week … in private. Athletic department officials told USC that the drum major for its band could not stick his sword in the Rose Bowl turf.

The news leaked and consequences will follow.

--Gophers are no longer in danger of being impaled at the Rose Bowl one Saturday every other year. PETA applauds. Minnesota ends boycott, schedules game with UCLA.

--Rose Bowl officials do not have to spend thousands of dollars to resod after USC game. Economy suffers. Blame Obama.

--Stanford band giddy about coming to the Rose Bowl next week. They’ll have more swords than a Roman legion.

--Reduced fear of ankle injuries caused by pothole. Peace of mind leads to career day by UCLA running back Johnathan Franklin.

And the No. 1 consequence ...

--USC drum major in kilt no longer risks costume malfunction caused by gust of wind.

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