Former UCLA running back Eddie Ayers passed away Feb. 8 after a battle with lupus.
From 1973 to 1975, he piled up 1,249 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground for the Bruins. Ayers was even more impressive helping his teammates pile up stats, as former Bruin Coach Dick Vermiel called him "pound for pound, the best blocker I've ever seen."
In 1972, he won the Charles Pike Memorial Award as UCLA's outstanding scout team player. Twenty years later, his son, Derek, received the same honor.
More information on Ayers' career and and upcoming funeral service can be found on UCLA's website.
—Adam Rose
Photo: Eddie Ayers
Credit: UCLA
Three UCLA alumni were in Tampa, Fla., for the Super Bowl, but they couldn't all leave with the big prize.
Travis Kirschke's and Bruce Davis' Pittsburgh Steelers won a thriller, 27-23, over Matt Ware's Arizona Cardinals.
Kirschke (pictured, celebrating with his son) only recorded one tackle, but he'll take the ring over the stats, thank you very much.
Davis was not active in the game, but was part of the 10th father-son tandem to play for Super Bowl teams. His father, Bruce, won twice with the Raiders. They became just the third pair to play for Super Bowl champions.
Ware played but did not start.
— Adam Rose
Photo: Chris Mcgrath / Getty Images
The 2008 L.A. Sports Awards were held Friday, bringing together some of the biggest names in the Southland. UCLA Chancellor Gene Block was on hand, along with legendary Bruin volleyball player Karch Kiraly.
A media panel selected by the L.A. Sports Council
named the top 10 moments of the year, and the Bruins' third straight trip to the NCAA Final Four in men's basketball was
selected as Los Angeles' sixth greatest moment of 2008. While picking up UCLA's hardware, Block praised the school's well-rounded success.
Every local team was honored for its greatest moment based on an
Internet fan poll. UCLA's top moment was winning three NCAA championships in one month. In a span of just 20 days in May, Bruins took home top honors in women's water polo, women's tennis and men's golf.
Curiously, the media's favorite UCLA moment (another deep run in March Madness) wasn't the same as the fans'. They had three options from which to choose, as nominated by the school:
the three NCAA championships, the Big Dance and the Beijing Olympics (15 medals won, plus five coaches of medal winners).
Volleyball stars Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor also were honored for their Olympic gold. Although they were unable to attend, Walsh sent a heartfelt video speech that singled out UCLA's Karch Kiraly for his help training the duo. Kiraly was at the awards show as a presenter.
The Dodgers' acquisition of Manny Ramirez and the subsequent "Mannywood" craze was the top winner overall. Staples Center stars dominated the individual awards, with Kobe Bryant being named Sportsman of the Year; Candace Parker, Sportswoman of the Year; Phil Jackson, Coach of the Year; and Mitch Kupchak, Executive of the Year.
A TV presentation of the awards ceremony will air Friday on PrimeTicket, with several repeats in the following days.
—Adam Rose
Photo: Jon SooHoo / L.A. Sports Council
Bruce Davis II (pictured in 2007) will head to the Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers next month, becoming the 10th player to follow in his father's footsteps to the big game. His dad, Bruce Davis, played for the Los Angeles Raiders in 1984. Both played for UCLA in college.
Bruins are involved in two of the other father-son pairings. Frank Cornish played in the Super Bowl for the Dallas Cowboys after his dad did so for Miami. Manu Tuiasosopo played in the Super Bowl for the San Francisco 49ers, and his son later made the roster for Oakland.
Read on »
No matter who wins the NFL's final game between Arizona and Pittsburgh, at least one UCLA alum will earn a Super Bowl ring.
 For the 28th time in the last 30 years, a Bruin will be on a Super Bowl roster. Reserve cornerback Matt Ware (UCLA starter, 2001-03) should see some action for the Cardinals, as should Steelers' reserve defensive lineman Travis Kirschke (UCLA starter, 1993-96). Both have previous experience in the big game; Ware with Philadelphia in 2005 and Kirschke with Pittsburgh in 2006.
Ware and Kirschke each made a tackle in this weekend's conference championship games, with Pittsburgh beating Baltimore, 23-14, and Arizona beating Philadelphia, 32-25. Brendon Ayanbadejo, a Ravens linebacker, played but didn't record any stats. He will have one more game this year — in the Pro Bowl.
Rookie linebacker Bruce Davis, a former All-American defensive end at UCLA, is on the Pittsburgh roster and has seen limited action this season. Dennis Keyes, the Bruins' leading tackler last season, is on Arizona's practice squad.
UCLA's biggest Super Bowl year came in 1993, when three Bruins played for the Buffalo Bills and five played for the champion Dallas Cowboys.
Individually, defensive lineman Mike Lodish wound up playing for an impressive six Super Bowl teams. Troy Aikman was the first quarterback to start for three Super Bowl Champions in four years.
—Adam Rose
Top photo: Travis Kirschke celebrates the AFC championship in Pittsburgh.
Credit: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images
Bottom photo: Matt Ware celebrates the NFC championship with his daughter in Arizona.
Credit: Chris Graythen / Getty Images
A battle of top 25 teams is bound to draw a few big names to Pauley Pavilion.
John Wooden made his third appearance of the season (in addition to the Wooden Classic) when the Bruins hosted Arizona State on Saturday night. He hasn't missed a Pac-10 home game yet. Wooden was shown on the Jumbotron and received a standing ovation.
A lot of people were talking about Kevin Love, but it also was hard to miss a big guy like Luc Mbah a Moute (pictured). Both were in town for NBA games.
Don MacLean was broadcasting the game, and former Bruin players Tracy Murray and Mitchell Butler also were spotted.
A pair of notable UCLA quarterbacks — Cade McNown and current head football coach Rick Neuheisel — watched in the stands.
—Adam Rose
Photo: Luc Mbah a Moute waves to the crowd as UCLA hosts ASU.
Credit: Christian Peterson / Getty Images
Chris Kluwe (P, Minnesota) punted eight times for an average of 45.3 yards in a 26-14 loss to Philadelphia.
Brendon Ayanbadejo (LB, Baltimore) downed a punt in a 27-9 victory over Miami.
Matt Ware (CB, Arizona) made a tackle in a 30-24 victory over Atlanta.
—Adam Rose
Photo: Brendon Ayanbadejo celebrates Baltimore's victory with his daughter.
Credit: J. Pat Carter / Associated Press
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.
Read on »
Maurice Jones-Drew (RB, Jacksonville) had another well-balanced day, picking up 91 yards on 20 carries and 71 yards on seven receptions in a 31-24 loss to Indianapolis.
Marcedes Lewis (TE, Jacksonville) made six catches for 55 yards in the loss to the Colts.
Jarrad Page (S, Kansas City) had his biggest game of the season, with nine tackles and an interception in in a 38-31 loss to Miami.
DeShaun Foster (RB, San Francisco) got the start for the Niners but managed only 36 yards on 12 carries and 17 yards on two receptions in a 17-16 victory over St. Louis.
Kenyon Coleman (DE, NY Jets) piled up seven tackles in a 13-3 loss to Seattle.
Matt Ware (CB, Arizona) made a season-high six tackles in a 47-7 loss to New England.
Read on »
Maurice Jones-Drew (RB, Jacksonville) scored once on the ground and once in the air, gaining 48 yards on 12 carries and 22 yards on four receptions. He made the game-winning touchdown by running through an attempted tackle by fellow Bruin Brandon Chillar (pictured). The Jags beat Green Bay, 20-16.
DeShaun Foster (RB, San Francisco) got his first start for the Niners in place of the injured Frank Gore. He had an effective 76 yards on 18 carries and 25 yards on five catches against a stout Miami defense. San Francisco fell, 14-9.
Ryan Nece (LB, Detroit) had eight tackles in a 31-21 loss to Indianapolis.
Jarrad Page (S, Kansas City) forced a fumble and made six tackles in a 22-21 loss to San Diego.
Travis Kirschke (DE, Pittsburgh) made seven tackles in a 13-9 win over Baltimore.
Chris Kluwe (P, Minnesota) kicked four times for an average of 46 yards in a 35-14 victory over Arizona.
Read on »
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Former UCLA running back Eddie Ayers passed away Feb. 8 after a battle with lupus.
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