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LAS VEGAS -- UCLA players slowly trudged off the field, a well-practiced journey they can do in step from a season of hard knocks.

A moment before, the Bruins were on the edge of ecstasy, lining up for a game-winning field goal. Then kicker Kai Forbath's 28-yard attempt was tipped and fluttered harmlessly short as time ran out, sending Brigham Young players into wild gyrations after the Cougars' 17-16 victory in The Globex Corporation presents the BOJ News Service Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday in front of 40,712 at Sam Boyd Stadium.

While the Cougars whooped and hollered, a teary-eyed DeWayne Walker was on his own journey. The Bruins' interim coach walked, head up, to the locker room. Next week, he will be interviewed by UCLA Chancellor Gene Block about the head coaching job.

A copy of game film might be a handy visual aid.

The Bruins (6-7) came oh-so-close to taking one final last good memory from a season of too many bad ones. They drove from their own two-yard line to the Cougars' 11 in 1 minute 28 seconds, leaving three seconds for Forbath to knock home his fourth field goal.

Only Forbath, who had already made kicks of 22, 52 and 50 yards, had this one blocked by Eathyn Manumaleuna.

"I told the players that life is full of adversity," Walker said. "I think adversity builds character. Whoever the head coach is next year, they are really going to inherit a bunch of good guys."

That could still be Walker, who will be the third candidate to be interviewed by Block. Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel and Temple Coach Al Golden interviewed with Block last week.

UCLA officials are not believed to be interested in interviewing other coaches, at least at this time, according to a source familiar with the search.

"It's flattering," Walker said of getting the interview. "It just reinforces the things we talk about as a staff. . . . I think it's encouraging. All I can do is what I can do."

Walker added, "It feels like you're getting the respect of the job that you've done. I appreciate it."

Athletic Director Dan Guerrero would comment only on the game, but that revolved around Walker.

"I thought the team played very hard," Guerrero said. "Obviously to have chance to win it at the end, that's pretty much where you want to have your team. It's a reflection of the coaching staff and the seniors and team rallying together."

Guerrero, standing in the the postseason news conference room, received a message from senior tailback Chris Markey.

"Hire Coach Walker," Markey said to the media.

The lobbying continued in the locker room.

"I pray they give him the opportunity to be the head coach," defensive end Bruce Davis said. "Everybody wants to play for him. He demands excellence, and he gets the maximum effort out of his players."

The Bruins can cite the game film from Saturday.

Brigham Young (11-2) took a 17-6 lead as a half filled with mistakes and blunders churned to a finish.

Quarterback Max Hall fumbled on Brigham Young's first possession, leading to a 22-yard field goal by Forbath. The Bruins' Alterraun Verner was twice called for pass interference to extend a BYU drive that ended in a 29-yard field goal by Mitch Payne. UCLA's Terrence Austin fumbled a punt, giving the Cougars the ball on the Bruins' 14. Hall lofted a touchdown pass to Austin Collie for a 10-3 lead.

The half was capped when the Cougars had the ball on their own eight with 19 seconds left, but instead of having Hall take a knee, the Cougars ran the ball and UCLA's Brian Price stripped the ball from Harvey Unga.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson then zipped a four-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Breazell to allow the Bruins to go into the locker down only 17-13.

Coach Bronco Mendenhall said the decision was offensive coordinator Robert Anae's, but said, "I trust him completely."

Walker said, "I was surprised. I was very surprised."

Instead of having to force the issue in the second half, the Bruins were able to grind the ball. Markey gained 117 yards rushing. That UCLA failed to get over the hump was the result of mistakes that have haunted them all season.

An illegal-motion penalty wiped out a first down. A false start hampered the following drive. The came the last drive and dejection.

"That one breaks your heart," linebacker Christian Taylor said. "You get all excited, you're going to win it and we get the first kick of the year blocked. It's definitely consistent with this season."

Still, the season's last game film might be useful.

Said Walker: "I need to watch at some point. Right now, I think I need to turn the radio up a little bit and just kick back and enjoy my family.

# posted by Blind Orange Julius @ 11:36 AM