BY TODD DYBAS / SEATTLESPORTSONLINE.COM

The game was over, but the glad-handing was not.

UCLA's team bus was still filling and Rick Neuheisel, once again victorious in Seattle, was having a laugh.

A couple former players, who shall remain nameless despite the Rose Bowl jacket one was wearing, reminisced with Neuheisel about the good old days. You know, when Washington didn't go a calendar year without a win.

The state police cleared the way and Neuheisel headed out of town, the era of his winning ways nearly faded to black now. What should have been bloodsport Saturday night was intrigue again overwhelmed by the Huskies' ineptness, UCLA winning 27-7.

"There's not a whole lot that can be said about tonight," departing-coach-in-waiting Tyrone Willingham said. "We didn't run it, throw it, tackle it or catch it in a manner that would put us in a position to be successful."

That's a topic no one can debate Willingham on.

Quarterback Ronnie Fouch threw for 39 yards and two more interceptions. Fouch has thrown four touchdowns and 11 interceptions since taking over for Jake Locker. In his last three games, Fouch has thrown seven interceptions and zero touchdowns, a surprising regression for an astute and skilled person. Not that the offensive line has been of any assistance.

Offensive lineman Cody Habben had as many tackles, two, as versatile linebacker Chris Stevens. The latter's talent convinced the defensive coaches to alter their scheme two weeks ago just to get him on the field more. That was all the strategy produced Saturday.

Saturday was the 10th game of the season. The Huskies script the first 15 offensive plays of every game. On their second snap Saturday, they were in an illegal formation. Spring practice, fall preparations, 10 weeks into the season, and they can't line up properly for a play they knew all week they were going to run. Perhaps that more than anything shows the mental checkout happening with so many on the roster.

Willingham and players that talk formally with the media insist no one has quit. Willingham even referenced the Keith Gilbertson season when trying to make that point.

"I was reminded by our football team, that a few years ago they went through something very much like this," Willingham said. "They said the seniors quit. I don't think our seniors have quit. I don't think our football team has quit."

It's going to be a most rotten Apple Cup this Saturday. Some way, some how, the Cougars or Huskies will close the coming week with a Pac-10 win. Their dueling disasters will be on display, a lack of effectiveness that could prompt the over/under to be three or 93.

It has become such a stagnant season, even Neuheisel's return couldn't get lost fans to do the same. Another small attendance figure spent their time in Husky Stadium on a brisk night. Even one of the drivers for attendance in sports, animosity, didn't bring those bleeding purple out.

It's a good thing, really. They would have seen Washington drop to 0-2 in its last two direct showdowns with Neuheisel.

"I hope we can talk about the Bruins and the Huskies from here on, and forget about the messy ending," Neuheisel said without winking or elbowing anyone. "I know it's not going to go away completely because it was a controversial time, but it will be exciting for me when the stories are about the players."

The story would be about the players if anything changed from week to week. It hasn't, two more installments all that mercifully remain.

Todd Dybas is the editor of Seattlesportsonline.com. He can be reached via e-mail at tdybas@seattlesportsonline.com