WATCH: UCLA OL Sam Yoon stresses importance of USC rivalry game
Naming the list of returners on the UCLA roster with experience facing crosstown rival USC in the annual clash for the Victory Bell can be quite the mental exercise. Bruins center Sam Yoon is just one of seven starters on either side of the ball who have played in the battle for Los Angeles.
So, that’s why interim head coach Tim Skipper, a first-timer himself, made a point to educate a team with more than 50 transfers on the history of the rivalry in Sunday’s meeting.
Yoon, who started last year’s game on an offensive line with four-year starting fixture Garrett DiGiorgio, said after Tuesday’s practice that Skipper and the coaches “did a great job” stressing the importance of Saturday’s game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
“The pride that we have in this university,” Yoon said, “we’re getting that across to everybody else. So, everybody is locked into this rivalry.”
The redshirt junior and Pasadena native attended nearby Loyola High School. While the Bruins, who have lost four in a row, have faced their share of struggles after losing former head coach DeShaun Foster and both coordinators, there’s still a matter of local pride at stake for Yoon.
“Especially growing up in SoCal, this game means everything,” Yoon said. “I’ve participated in a few here at UCLA, too, so this game just means more. We’re taking it seriously.”
Sam Yoon media availability (11/25)
Watch Yoon’s full press conference below, including his thoughts on the offensive line’s progression throughout the season:
