Father and son get national audience for a major upset

[Neuheisels, from D8] goes along with not quite getting it done.”

- 

GINA FERAZZI Los Angeles Times UCLA offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel is fired up after a play.

What were the chances of this incredible scene? That CBS would televise a game involving a winless team that pivoted to the son of its studio analyst to call plays four days before kickoff after parting ways with its offensive coordinator?

“Oh, my goodness,” Rick said, “the chances are slim that CBS is going to be picking a team that’s 0-4 and yet because Penn State was coming to town and they’re one of the major draws inthe Big Ten, that moved the needle enough.”

Before the game, the CBS crew on site in Pasadena recorded a message from son to father.

“Hey, coach Neuheisel,” quipped Jerry, the lifelong Bruin who was born at UCLA Medical Center at a time when his father was an assistant coach at the school, “I just want to make sure you have the wherewithal to handle the broadcast today. Love you, Dad.”

Once the game started, the elder Neuheisel became a remote member of the broadcast team, joining play-by-play announcer Brad Nessler and commentator Gary Danielsen as the Bruins scored on each of their first five drives. Finally, Nesslerjoked, “We better cut this off. We're getting calls from Penn State fans.”