Bringing the ‘big game’ to the beach

Lolita Harper

The sun rose on Newport-Mesa from the east the same way it does every

morning.

But on Saturday the day began with an inexplicable energy in the

air. It was rivalry time: USC vs. UCLA.

From the moment people woke, talk was about the big game. The USC

Trojans, ranked No. 3 in the Bowl Championship Series standings, were

meeting up with cross-town rivals, the Bruins, who are unranked this

season. Although the game was 60 miles north, at Memorial Coliseum in

Los Angeles, the tension between the two factions was palatable in

this coastal community.

People stood in line at Stater Bros. market on Newport Boulevard

at about 9 a.m. stocking up on meat for the grill and beverages for

the game. Predictions were thrown around and plenty of good natured

ribbing was exchanged.

On the radio TV, pregame shows analyzed the two teams, played

their fight songs and commentators put their necks out on a winner.

At half past noon, televisions all over Newport-Mesa turned on to

watch the two teams butt heads. Even those who had no formal

affiliation to either school were expected to pick a side. Jaime

Dexter, 23, of Costa Mesa said she was not “die-hard” either way but

was rooting for the Trojans because they were the better team.

“UCLA is getting ruined,” Dexter said, with an vengeful laugh.

Whether it was the high ranking, or the popularity of SC grads in

Newport-Mesa, most of those around her agreed. As the Trojans

continued to put points on the board, the crowd went wild. Until late

in the second half when UCLA blocked an extra-point attempt and ran

the ball back for a touchdown. Then a handful of people cheered.

Ben Jackson, who gathered with his friends at Newport Brewing Co.,

was one of the brave Bruin fans who wore his affiliation on his

sleeve -- and his hat and shorts.

Jackson, who was in blue from head to toe, used to play for UCLA

as a kicker between 1995 and 1999. During his tenure as a Bruin, his

team had posted Ws in their column. On Saturday it was a very

different story. He looked at the score and took one on the chin.

“Hey, SC is a good team,” the Newport Beach resident said. “You

have to respect what they have done and their talent. The bottom line

is that this is a great rivalry. But of course, I am partial to

UCLA.”

Ann Archie, who was also at Newport Brewing Co. for the tail end

of the game, ditched family loyalties and attended “that other

school.” But in her case, her relatives are die-hard UCLA fans, she

said.

“My dad wasn’t a Bruin but at least he married well -- his second

wife is a Trojan,” she said. “But we have a great time with [the

rivalry]. We always just say, ‘Let the best team win,’ and then we

bet dinner.”

With the scoreboard showing USC up, 47-22, Archie started planning

her victory meal. Usually Archie and her father go to games together

but this time she gave her father her season tickets because her

daughter, Ricki, was playing her own big game in the AYSO playoffs.

The Archie’s were on the soccer field rooting for the Rattlers, in

which Ricki scored the winning goal. The family headed directly to

dinner to celebrate both a soccer and football victory.

Ann’s father, Dave Archie, went to the University of Wisconsin and

labeled himself an adoptive Trojan.

“My Badgers lost today,” he said. “But the Rattlers and the

Trojans were victorious, so the most important teams won.”