Shaquelle Evans: UCLA will 'try to embarrass' USC this year

Erick Smith | USA TODAY Sports

UCLA and USC don't play for another two months, but Bruins wide receiver Shaquelle Evans already has fanned the flames of the heated Los Angeles rivalry.

Appearing on ESPN radio 710 Wednesday, the senior didn't mince any words about his feelings for the Trojans, who have dominated the series lately. UCLA's defeat of USC last year was just its second since 1998. (Here's the interview: comments come at 4:30 mark)

"Beating them last year and knowing that we're going to beat them again this year - especially two years ago when they beat us 50-0 - we owe them a little bit when we go to the Coliseum because last time we were there they embarrassed us," Evans said. "So this year, we're going to try to embarrass them, honestly.

The recent difficulties of the Trojans and heat on coach Lane Kiffin after a loss to Washington State two weeks ago is something Evans clearly relishes.

"It's so much fun just seeing them struggling and how we used to struggle and now they're struggling it's just awesome to see that," Evans said. "I hate them. So I'm just loving it."

Evans, who has nine catches for 178 yards and two scores in two games, also wasn't shy about his own ability. He declared himself the best college receiver in Los Angeles ahead of Trojans standout Marqise Lee.

That confidence will be needed on Nov. 30 when the teams meet. His words will likely have a prominent place in USC's locker room that week.

(H/T: Los Angeles Daily News)

Erick Smith, a senior digital producer at USA TODAY Sports, is on Twitter @erick_smith.

