Pac-10 football teams win out of conference, finally

It took until bowl season, but the Pac-10 is doing well in its out-of-conference football games. The league is 3-0, with Oregon State and USC still to play. Before the postseason, the Pac-10 was 14-17 against other conferences — and one of those was Washington State's win over a Division 2 school.

Here's a look at what UCLA's 2008 opponents have done so far in the bowls. Before the season started, a lot of pundits thought the Bruins faced one of the toughest schedules in the nation. Ultimately, they faced seven bowl teams.

Done:

• Oregon — beat Oklahoma State, 42-31, in the Holiday Bowl
• Arizona and BYU — Arizona won, 31-21, in the Las Vegas Bowl
• Cal — beat Miami, 24-17, in the Emerald Bowl
• Fresno State — lost to Colorado State, 40-35, in the New Mexico Bowl

Coming up:

• Oregon State — facing Pitt in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31
• USC — facing Penn State in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1
   

—Adam Rose

Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel / US Presswire

Malcolm Lee not expected to play when UCLA goes to Oregon

UCLA freshman guard Malcolm Lee has started rehabilitation for injuries to his left knee that include a bone bruise.

He will travel with the team to Oregon this week but is not expected to play. His absence leaves the Bruins with a number of potential lineups.

Coach Ben Howland said that Josh Shipp, Jrue Holiday and Michael Roll will share minutes in the wing positions. Howland left open the possibility that Nikola Dragovic might be shifted to the wing and that Darren Collison and Jerime Anderson could be on the court together.

"Obviously, I’m disappointed that Malcolm Lee is injured right now," Howland said. "It was really unfortunate that he is hurt because of the strides he’s making."

—David Wharton

Photo: Hector Mata / Associated Press

Bruins in the NFL: Week 17

The regular season is over, but I'll keep up the NFL updates through the playoffs (and then start some long-awaited weekly NBA updates).

DeShaun Foster (RB, San Francisco) carried  nine times for 44 yards and a touchdown, and added three receptions for 20 yards in a 27-24 victory over Washington.

Maurice Jones-Drew (RB, Jacksonville) ran 23 times for 78 yards and made a 10-yard reception. He fumbled twice, losing the ball once, against a tough Baltimore defense. The Jags fell, 27-7.

Kenyon Coleman (DE, NY Jets) had seven tackles in a 24-17 loss to Miami.

Chris Horton (S, Washington) made six tackles in the loss to the Niners.

Rick Neuheisel congratulates DeWayne Walker on going from UCLA to New Mexico State

After it was announced that UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker will be taking the head coaching job at New Mexico State, Bruin Coach Rick Neuheisel released the following statement:

"I am thrilled for DeWayne and his family. It’s an exciting time for New Mexico State and an exciting time for UCLA, because one of our coaches has earned the opportunity to be a head coach. I have no doubt he will enjoy success at New Mexico State.

"DeWayne is a first-class coach and a first-class man who certainly deserves the opportunity to run his own program. DeWayne has been a terrific asset to UCLA, both on and off the field, and he will be missed. I, and the entire UCLA family, thank him for what he has done for our program and wish him well.

"I hope to fill the defensive coordinator position in the next few weeks. Because I felt there was an excellent chance DeWayne would get a head coaching opportunity, I have a list of candidates for the position. Nothing will occur until the staff reconvenes on Sunday and we discuss the candidates together. Our first priority is to continue to build an outstanding recruiting class."

—Adam Rose

Photo: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

DeWayne Walker lands head coaching job at New Mexico State

If coaching jobs are like players, UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel's first big recruit was DeWayne Walker.

Today, the talented five-star moved onto the next level. Walker will be the head coach next season for New Mexico State.

Walker served for three years as UCLA's defensive coordinator and was considered for the Bruins' top job last year before Neuheisel signed on. Neuheisel was able to keep him on board for another season as Walker managed one of the lone bright spots for UCLA — a defense that held opponents to under 168 passing yards per game, 11th best in the nation (UCLA was second heading into the season finale).

John Wooden's advice for young Joe Paterno

Penn State's Joe Paterno is the oldest coach in college football, so it's difficult for him to turn to his elders for advice.

But the 82-year-old kid is in Los Angeles for the Rose Bowl game, so he could always visit 98-year-old UCLA basketball legend John Wooden.

Asked during a recent basketball game if he could offer some advice for "that young whippersnapper," Wooden chuckled and paused for a moment.

"Keep doing the best you can, that's all!" he said, smiling.

MRI results for Malcolm Lee still inconclusive

Update: there is no update.

UCLA released the following about its injured freshman guard:

"Malcolm Lee had another reading done today on his MRI that came back the same as the first one, inconclusive. A course of action has yet to be determined."

Coach Ben Howland has a regularly scheduled news conference Tuesday afternoon. More information may surface then.

—Adam Rose

UCLA's Rick Neuheisel responds to USC's Ken Norton

USC linebacker coach Ken Norton lashed out at UCLA in today's paper, saying the Bruins are using his his name to lure recruits to Westwood. Bruin Coach Rick Neuheisel issued the following statement:

"In response to comments made by USC assistant football coach Ken Norton, let me say that I have an outstanding defensive coordinator in DeWayne Walker. He has done a great job for us and I hope he stays at UCLA for many years. However, if he has the opportunity to become a head coach, I know he would do a fine job and I would support him in any way possible.

"That being said, I was sorry to read the comments Kenny made in the Los Angeles Times. I have not told any recruits that if DeWayne left, Kenny would be the defensive coordinator at UCLA and neither have my assistant coaches. Despite the fact that Kenny is a great Bruin, we have more than enough positives at UCLA to interest recruits and convince them that this is the school at which they can flourish both academically and athletically.

"There has been a lot of speculation about Kenny’s return to UCLA in the media and on the internet, and perhaps that has confused people about who has said what.  If DeWayne leaves, I would consider several candidates for the defensive coordinator job. Kenny probably would have been among those considered, with no guarantees. However, his quotes in the paper say he is staying at USC, so we wish him well."

—Adam Rose

Photo: Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times

Ben Howland talks about UCLA's best player -- Darren Collison

The best player on UCLA's basketball is Darren Collison, and Coach Ben Howland makes no bones about it. Collison leads the Bruins with 14.3 points, 5.3 assists, and 29.3 minutes per game. Here's Howland talking about his star after beating Louisiana Tech and before heading into Pac-10 play:

—Adam Rose

Ben Howland looks at Pac-10 play for UCLA

Bruin Coach Ben Howland discussing the start of Pac-10 play, the biggest challenge, and the biggest assets he has:

UCLA tips off at Oregon State on Jan. 2.

—Adam Rose