UCLA 23 Kansas State 9

20 September 2009

Yesterday (Saturday), UCLA's spirit squad welcomed family and friends to spend a day at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. After a one-year gap, Daniela is back on the squad, on the team that newly combines the mascots -- Joe and Josie Bruin -- with the yell leaders. The other spirit squad teams are "dance" and "cheer." (The cheer team is very much about gymnastic moves and tricks.)



I drove down from Oakland, about 375 miles, with Ingrid and Alexis Saturday morning. We arrived in the early afternoon, just in time to visit with the squad on the otherwise empty field in the Rose Bowl. They put on a small performance for the group. Check out the synchronized moves of the cheerleaders in the photo above!



The evening game started at 7:15, so we hung out around the tailgate parties through the middle and late afternoon. We saw the team arrive and watched the spirit squad perform with the alumni band out in the tailgate area.



Our game seats were close to the field (row 17 at about the 10 yard line), immediately behind the band. I had many opportunities to snap shots of the tuba players from the back!

The game was entertaining. There were a few tense moments, but for the most part UCLA remained in control throughout. Their defense was excellent and their offense was solid. Their biggest problems were caused by several costly penalties for unusual infractions like crackback blocks and helmet-to-helmet contact.

Daniela had several opportunities to shine and she made the most of them. Early in the game, she led a "Bruin" spellout from the central stage during which she was featured on the giant scoreboard. Pretty heady stuff to have 50,000 people shouting in response to your lead! She worked as Josie Bruin for the halftime performance, which included a cheerleader-like lift. After the game had ended, still as Josie, she got to put on some dance moves, as you can see below! You go girl!