UCLA players struggle with eye black

UCLA players sported some unique eye black for Saturday's game vs. USC.

Punter Matt Mengel was among the highlights, rocking vertical stripes to add some much-need intimidation factor to the punter's game.

can we not pic.twitter.com/fH4XLinWYh
— Lana Berry (@Lana) November 23, 2014

UCLA defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes also donned some unique eye black, albeit with a less orchestrated pattern.

How much eye black is too much eye black? #UCLAvsUSC pic.twitter.com/nWqYL95I9Q
— Stadium (@Stadium) November 23, 2014

According to ESPN's Pac-12 Blog, the war paint is a product of none other than head coach Jim Mora.

The bizarre William Wallace look is part of an off-and-on Bruins tradition that Jim Mora began during his first year as the team's head coach in 2012. Before a pivotal matchup with No. 24 Arizona, Mora ostensibly asked his assistants to apply the eyeblack as war paint. The Bruins then dismantled the Wildcats 66-10.

UCLA faces Stanford on Friday in the regular-season finale.

- Mike Fiammetta