Nov. 09--This would normally be a no-brainer. Instead, it took a lobbying effort.
UCLA was faced with a fourth-and-21 situation from the 28-yard line with eight minutes left. A field goal would pad to the Bruins' lead. Only, kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn has struggled from long range in his college career.
When UCLA Coach Jim Mora called timeout, he felt some pressure from players.
"What was neat was I was kind of contemplating what to do there," Mora said. "His teammates didn't talk me into, but they said he will make it. 'Send him out there and let him kick it. He will make it.' It was resounding."
Mora ran the field goal unit onto the field. Fairbairn was perfect on his 46-yard try in the Bruins' 44-30 victory. It made him nine of 20 in his career from 40-or-more-yards.
"I think it shows how they feel about Ka'imi, even though he's struggled sometimes," Mora said.
Fairbairn had three field goals in the game. He has made 27 consecutive field goals from 35 yards or closer.
