UCLA football: Ed Kezirian reminds Bruins why game with Cal is a rivalry

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UCLA newbies got a dose of what the Bruins’ rivalry with Cal is about Friday night, when Ed Kezirian gave a speech that has become a tradition.

Kezirian, a former UCLA player and administrator, reminded the Bruins of the Elvin C. ‘Ducky’ Drake mantra that Cal had long worked to keep UCLA down.

Drake, who was at UCLA for more than 60 years as an athlete and track coach, gave the speech for 17 years until his death in 1988. UCLA won every game with Cal during that stretch.

‘Ducky felt that Cal more than any other school was jealous of UCLA’s success,’ Kezirian said. ‘Back in 1940s and 50s, when UCLA was going, Ducky felt that budget-wise and equipment-wise, Cal was always trying to keep UCLA down.’

Kezirian, who has often picked up the Drake mantle, reminded the Bruins of that during the Friday night talk.

‘That was something,’ said reserve kicker Kip Smith, a freshman. ‘I had no idea that this was a rivalry.’

The Bruins did not bring wide receiver Nelson Rosario (high ankle sprain) and free safety Dalton Hilliard (separated shoulder) on the trip.

-- Chris Foster