Prankster Distraction Paves the Way for UCLA Football Brawl
A match between the Wildcats and Bruins turns into a fracas on the field after a streaker interrupted gameplay
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Runningback Keola Antolin of the Arizona Wildcats rushes the football against the UCLA Bruins during the third quarter of the college football game at Arizona Stadium on Oct. 20, 2011, in Tucson, Ariz.
With four seconds left in the opening half of the UCLA-Arizona football game Thursday, a prankster dressed as a referee ran onto the field, distracting the real refs from a shoving match involving multiple players that escalated to a bench-clearing brawl.
Trailing 42-7, UCLA's first-and-10 play was interrupted with a dead-ball whistle. As referees converged on UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince, it quickly became clear one of the referees (the one in shorts), should not be there.
One of the real officials motioned for the prankster to leave the field. The "knucklehead," as one announcer dubbed him, took off running while removing his clothes.
Then things got violent.
While officials were dealing the streaker, a group of three UCLA players and three Arizona players on the field were having some sort of argument that turned into a shoving match. With everyone distracted, the shoving match escalated into a brawl.
Dozens of players, coaches and team officials from both sides raced on to the field to curb the fight.
"I was watching the guy running around with no clothes on and didn't see what happened," said UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel. "It was two youngsters getting into it. I don't know how started, I know it is not conduct we expect from our team."
Officials ejected UCLA wide receiver Taylor Embree and Arizona cornerback Shaquille Richardson.
Arizona won the game with a final score of 48-12.
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