UCLA fans can laugh.
Pat Hill can't.
Though it has been years, the wound still hasn't healed for the Fresno State football coach.
When receiver and punt returner Charles Smith tripped and fell inside the 10-yard line during the Bulldogs' previous trip to the Rose Bowl against UCLA, a 24-21 loss in 2000, Fresno State missed an opportunity that would have changed the game and could have added a valued helmet above its mantel.
"You don't laugh at things like that," Hill said. "It was sad."
What was sad was in the first half against the Bruins, Smith fielded a punt at the Bulldogs 18, dodged three tacklers and jetted into open space. All looked fine. All he had between him and the end zone was green field and white lines.
But he and teammate Dante Marsh, who was escorting him to the end zone, got a little too close.
"He kind of clipped my heel and I just fell over," Smith said at the time.
He fell at the Bruins 7. The Bulldogs were unable to score on three downs and on fourth-and-goal from the 3, James Tillman was stopped short on a pitch.
"It was a great executed play and two kids tripped over each other." Hill said. "There was nobody around us for 20 yards. It was a strange deal."
Hill compared Smith's fall to two out-of-the-ordinary plays that helped Wisconsin defeat Fresno State this season: a pass batted at the line that was intercepted and a fumbled punt that hit a blocker in the back.
Defensive tackle Cornell Banks is expected to be back in the lineup today, and possibly as a starter. Banks, who had a sprained ankle, will play but it will be a gametime decision to determine if he starts, media-relations director Steve Weakland said.
Sophomore Mark Roberts will get the start at one tackle position in place of senior Jon Monga, who remains sidelined with a knee injury. Either Banks or freshman Logan Harrell will start in the other spot.
Receiver Devon Wylie (foot) will not play and receiver Jason Crawley (hamstring) appears recovered. Linebacker Nick Bates (arm) did travel with the team, as did center Richard Pacheco (hamstring), though center Joe Bernardi will start.
BY THE NUMBERS
2: The number of touchdowns the UCLA offense has produced. Both came against Tennessee in the Bruins' first game.
12: Both teams have been penalized 12 times.
92: The Bulldogs' red-zone scoring percentage. On their 12 trips inside the 20, the Bulldogs have scored 11 times. UCLA has scored in 67% (four of six) of its trips to the red zone.
AUDIBLE
"This game will be a little different. UCLA will be ready to play. There might have been a time when UCLA didn't take it too seriously. This will be a big game. ... I'd say it's a must win for us. They all are." -- Pat Hill, Fresno State coach
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