Chai ecstatic with win

PASADENA — Without hesitation, Robert Chai answered what was a life-changing question during the summer before his junior year at Newport Harbor High.

Zach Biehl, the Sailors’ offensive line coach, asked Chai, “What college do you want to play for when you’re done here?”

Chai responded: UCLA.

The culmination of that story was reached Saturday when Chai wildly celebrated with his teammates after the Bruins upset No. 2 USC, 13-9, at the Rose Bowl.

“It was just unbelievable,” Chai, UCLA’s starting center, said during a phone interview. “To go out my senior year by beating the No. 2 team in the [Bowl Championship Series], you can’t go out a better way than that. That was one of our greatest moments. That was the first time we’ve beaten USC in my time here.”

The Bruins had not defeated the Trojans since 1998. This UCLA win proved to sting the Bruins’ rival, as it knocked USC out of the BCS title game. The final BCS standings and bowl pairings will be announced today.

“I have never seen [Chai] so happy,” said Biehl, who was at the game. “It was a nice way to end his career.”

Chai, along with the rest of the UCLA seniors, were honored before the game. Then he went through a whirlwind of emotions. He was part of the offensive line that paved the way for 121 rushing yards.

“Pat Cowan going in the end zone [from one yard out], that was pretty impressive,” Chai, a team captain, said of the Bruins’ first points, which came with 1:35 left in the first quarter and gave UCLA a 7-0 lead.

Chai also experienced a low, when he was called for holding in the end zone, which left to a safety with 12:21 left before halftime. But overall, he was a key part in the victory.

“He made some real nice blocks,” Biehl said. “He picked up one blitz big-time.”

Biehl said he noticed early that Chai could be special when he first met him in 1998. And, aside from football, the two quickly became friends and have maintained a close relationship through the years. Chai was a groomsman in Biehl’s wedding two years ago.

“He’s one of the main reasons I’m playing college football,” said Chai, a two-time All-CIF lineman with the Sailors. “He taught me the fundamentals. I owe a lot to him.”

Not only that, Biehl was also around for emotional support. Chai’s father, Kamble, died of a heart attack the year before Chai started attending Newport Harbor.

“When my father passed away, Biehl was a brother-like figure for me,” Chai said. “He was always there for me. He’s always there for me when I need someone to talk to.”

Biehl was also there to watch Chai play on Saturday. Turns out, Chai wasn’t the only Newport Harbor alumnus on the field. The Bruins also included Trevor Theriot, who played sparingly on offense as a wing back, at times in the same huddle with Chai.

Michael McDonald, also a Newport Harbor product, was the Trojans’ No. 3 quarterback and held on USC’s lone PAT.

“That was kind of nice to have them all playing today,” said Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley, who watched the game from his home.

Brinkley was also pleased to hear about Jeff Marshall, who, as center, helped Montana to a 20-3 win over Southern Illinois in the Division I-AA quarterfinals.

— Steve Virgen