Commentary: Brett Hundley's Sun Bowl MVP…
Commentary: Brett Hundley's Sun Bowl MVP performance more evidence he should leave for NFL
UCLA's Brett Hundley, left, and Jordan Zumwalt smile after they were announced as co-MVPs after defeating Virginia Tech 42-12 in an NCAA college football game Tuesday Dec. 31, 2013, in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/Victor Calzada)
By Jill Painter | jill.painter@dailynews.com |
PUBLISHED: December 31, 2013 at 12:00 am | UPDATED: September 6, 2017 at 6:41 am
EL PASO >> Brett Hundley was pure magic.
He ran up the middle. Cut to the left. Followed his blockers. Cut to the right. Moved like a running back.
The nimble UCLA quarterback saw one side of the field open, cut back to the right and outran Virginia Tech defensive backs for an 86-yard touchdown in the second quarter of UCLA's 42-14 Sun Bowl win over Virginia Tech on Tuesday.
The last UCLA player with a run that netted more yards was running back DeShaun Foster, and that was 12 years ago.
Hundley's run was beautiful, one that will be replayed over and over. And you'll never tire of watching it.
It's also the play that should have Hundley convinced he should be running straight to the NFL.
Hundley's 168 first-half rushing yards was a Sun Bowl record for a quarterback and put him among the top-10 all-time bowl rushing outings. A couple of sacks in the second half gave him a net 161 yards.
Since he fell off that list, it's unknown if it's still a record with incomplete statistics.
It's also unknown what Hundley will do next.
He said he hadn't made a decision if he'll leave for the NFL or stay at UCLA to build on this 10-win season, but you get the feeling he's leaving, especially after that dandy of a run.
Asked on the field if that was his last game, Hundley said: "That's a tough one. If it is, it's been a great time here. I love UCLA to death. I'm truly honored to play here."
Oh, UCLA fans shouldn't like the sound of that.
Everyone was giving his or her best pitch to convince Hundley to stay. UCLA fans chanted "One more year!" But after the show in which Hundley starred, it seemed to be the perfect signature stamp to end his career at UCLA.
Defensive back Ishmael Adams made like fans who serenaded Hundley. Adams, who's seven inches shorter than his star quarterback, picked Hundley up off the Sun Bowl Field and screamed "One more year!"
Hundley also shared a hug with offensive lineman Xavier Su'a-filo, who also has the same decision to make. Su'a-filo told Hundley, "Enjoy it."'
You just get the feeling it was his last time in his college uniform.
When players are wrestling with a decision, it's often difficult to discuss. Hundley said he would go home to Arizona to celebrate New Year's Eve with family, return to California and have important conversations to help him make his decision.
Then he said he'd announce it on Twitter.
Hundley already has thought about how'd he announce it, eh?
When pressed about the social media news flash, he laughed and reversed course.
But staying or leaving is no laughing matter.
"It is crazy to think it could be the last time I walk off the field and it could be my last game," Hundley said. "It's something you have to think about. There are things in college you can get and things at the next level you can get. There's positives to both sides."
Mora said he would support Hundley no matter his decision. Mora once turned and asked Hundley if he, too, thought it was awkward fielding these questions in front of a roomful of reporters.
"Sixteen for 29, Brett, I don't know," Mora said. "I'm kidding. I'm teasing. Look, Brett is a great football player. We certainly want him to come back. He and I have had a lot of discussions about that.
"We'll support it now matter what it is."
Hundley's final touchdown of the season — and maybe his UCLA career — was a 59-yard pass to Shaq Evans. They tried it the first play of the game, but that one didn't work.
After several questions about Hundley's future, a frustrated Mora said he wasn't going to answer more because it wasn't fair to the rest of the team.
But it's the million-dollar question for the Bruins and their future.
Mora, the longtime former NFL coach, hopes Hundley will stay and certainly covered the cons of leaving early.
"I think quarterbacks get better by playing the game," Mora said. "I think they get better by getting snaps. I think if you're going to go to the National Football League, whatever position you're going to play, you want to be prepared as possible and as polished as possible.
"The NFL is, as Jerry Glanville, says stands for 'Not For Long,' not just for coaches, that's for players (too). If you're at a premium position and you don't perform, your ass is out."
That was puncutated with a Mora arm motion.
An ESPN report had two NFL teams with Hundley as their top quarterback prospect for the 2014 draft if he chooses to leave. A Pro Football Talk report has Hundley wanting to leave but those around him wanting to stay.
He could stay because he's having the time of his life. He could stay because UCLA football is king in Los Angeles and because the program is better than at any point in the last decade.
But Hundley should put himself first. Injuries are a deterrent to staying. He can return to finish his education as so many who have left early have done.
The choice is his, but the timing is right for Hundley.
"It's a selfish decision," linebacker Anthony Barr said. "You have to do what's best for yourself. You have people telling you to do all types of things. You can't listen to the noise. At the end of the day it's going to be his decision."
And in the end, it should be Hundley to the NFL.
Jill Painter