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Freshman walk-on Brian Malette took over the kick-off duties for junior place kicker Justin Medlo

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Freshman walk-on Jimmy Rotstein handled extra points for the Bruins. While there was much talk ab

EL PASO, Texas - If there was a question mark for UCLA coming into Friday’s game against Northwestern, it was its kicking game. After junior kicker Justin Medlock was suspended indefinitely after being arrested for a DUI earlier this month, the kicking duties were placed squarely on two unknown faces on the Bruin roster.

Both freshmen walk-ons starting their first game for the Bruins, Jimmy Rotstein took over field goal duties and Brian Malette was responsible for kick-offs.

“They did a great job. Jimmy and Bryan were as good as we could ask them to be,” UCLA coach Karl Dorrell said. “They were well prepared and I’m sure they’ll remember the game for the rest of their lives.”

Rotstein, who converted all five of his extra-point attempts, and Malette, who also kicked an extra point through the uprights, admitted that they had pregame jitters coming into the game.

“Last night all I was thinking about was how I did not want to miss the first extra point,” Rotstein said. “I was very excited. The bus ride here was when I was most nervous, but I felt great. Just to cap it off it with a win was fantastic.”

“Coming into the stadium today I was a bit nervous but once I got the kicks off I started to fell pretty good,” Malette said.

Rotstein, out of Brentwood High, and Malette, out of Valencia High, walked off the field together after the game. They have worked together extensively the entire season during practice but have never endured the type of intensity that they faced when preparing for Northwestern.

“It’s been rough; 24/7 pressure,” Rotstein said. “My nerves were going crazy. Every day was competition and I had to perform.”

What did settle the nerves down a bit for players like Rotstein was the fact that they got a call from one of their fellow teammates.

“(Justin Medlock) talked to some of the guys and he wished me and Brian and the rest of the guys good luck,” Rotstein said. “He’s been very supportive and he’s been great.”

BREAZELL BLOWS UP: Things turned for the bizarre with three minutes remaining in the game. Down 36-31 with 2:29 remaining in the fourth quarter, Northwestern opted to attempt an onside kick. UCLA sophomore Brandon Breazell, however, made the Wildcats pay as he ran the ball along the right side of the field for a 42-yard kickoff return. He went untouched. The Wildcats attempted yet another onside kick with 18 seconds remaining only to have Breazell return it for 45 yards along the left side of the field for the touchdown. He went untouched.

“The first one I was kind of stunned. The second one I really wanted it and I was ready for it,” said Breazell who was named Sun Bowl Special Teams Player of the Game. “I saw the opening and I took it.”

“I just couldn’t believe it,” senior linebacker Spencer Havner said. “I just sat there in amazement.”

DEFENSE COMES UP BIG: UCLA’s defense played one of its best games of the season. Despite trailing 22-0, which was in large part because two of UCLA quarterback Drew Olson’s three interceptions were returned for a touchdown, the Bruins clamped down.

UCLA gave up just three points total in the second and third quarter.

“It was our best game,” said senior safety Jarrad Page who had six tackles and an interception. “That’s a great offense over there and we pretty much held them in check and we got turnovers when we needed them. We just had an attitude about us.”

UCLA had two key interceptions in the game that would have led to potential scores by the Wildcats. Havner intercepted a pass by Northwestern quarterback Brett Basanez on a third-and-ten play on UCLA’s 14-yard line. The interception in the second quarter was

Havner’s third of this season and 11th of his career. Page had an active day recording a recovered fumble in the third quarter and an interception in the fourth quarter on a fourth-and-sixth play on the Bruins’ 23.

UCLA held Northwestern to 5 of 20 on third-down conversions.

“Guys were just flying around,” senior linebacker Justin London said. “We missed tackles but we had guys there. Whenever everyone else is there, you want to get there too. You don’t want to be the one left out.”

NOT SO SPECIAL: The Wildcats’ special teams unit struggled mightily.

Northwestern junior kicker Joel Howells came into the game making 44 of 45 extra point attempts but had his first attempt in the first quarter blocked by UCLA sophomore defensive tackle Brigham Harwell. Howells’ second extra point hit the left upright. His streak of ill fortune didn’t stop there. Later, Howells had a 37-yard field goal with 2:56 left in the second quarter blocked by UCLA’s Eric McNeal. Wildcat fans applauded Howells with 4:21 left in the first quarter after he converted his first point to give Northwestern a 22-0 lead.

Howells finished one-for-two in field goals.

In the third quarter, and was replaced by redshirt freshman Amado Villarreal. Villarreal converted his only field goal attempt from 31 yards and tapped in one extra-point attempt.

“I thought (Howells) had a great month,” Northwestern coach Andy Walker said. “It was just one of those days I guess. I can’t explain it. I know Tiger Woods has shot 80 and there’s no explanation for it because he’s the best to ever put a tee on the ground. There are guys that just have bad days.”

BRUINS IN THE PROS: Given a choice of where they would want to play in the NFL, some Bruin seniors didn’t hesitate at naming a favorable destination. “Oakland,” Havner said. Olson sees himself a good fit for teams that operate the West Coast system, singling out the Denver Broncos. And then there are some players who don’t care where they go, just as long as they hear their name called come draft time. “I’ll go anywhere at this point,” Page said.

RECORD ATTENDANCE: For the second year in a row, the Sun Bowl had a sellout crowd of 50,426. Helen of Troy CEO Gerald J. Rubin purchased 287 tickets to make it a sellout. Friday’s game was also the fourth-largest crowd in Sun Bowl history. It was UCLA’s largest bowl game attendance since the Bruins played in the Rose Bowl against Wisconsin in 1998.

SKAGGS STARTS: Freshman center Nathaniel Skaggs got his first start of the season at center and played well. The 6-foot-4, 275-pounder, who is normally a defensive tackle, switched to play center because senior backup center Robert Chai was out with a left knee injury that he sustained during the Sun Bowl workouts. Skaggs did a commendable job on the offensive line that opened up several gaping holes for UCLA’s running backs.

“Skaggs comes in and first time playing center, and plays a good game, not only a good game but a great game, probably one of the biggest games of this program since we’ve been here. And he comes out and plays well,” UCLA running backs coach Eric Bieniemy said.

DAVIS CARRIED OFF FIELD: Sophomore defensive end Bruce Davis had flu-like symptoms and after the game the lack of fluid caused him to have difficulty breathing. Davis was lifted off the field by Ed Blanton and McNeal and brought to the Bruins’ locker room. Davis received IVs and was reported as being in stable condition.