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Regards,
Josh B.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
UCLA Rocked By Cal, .500 Halfway Home
(first published on KLAC's Bruins Board website --- 10/20/09)
It’s all unraveled so quickly for the Bruins. After Saturday’s 45-26 home loss to a mediocre Cal team, what once was a promising 3-0 start has devolved into a 3-3 mark that reeks of one obvious fact: UCLA is still competing underhanded. Which is to say, head coach Rick Neuheisel has yet to significantly close the talent gap that has plagued Bruins football for years. USC clearly still runs this town.
None of this is meant as any kind of a bash. It’s not even meant as a complaint about the Neuheisel Era. Too little has transpired in too short a span of time to fairly judge this coaching regime yet. But concerned Bruin fans are talking, and it’s not just about the troubles at quarterback. The whispers are growing louder. Senior linebacker Reggie Carter knows that. He also knows the 2009 season is getting late fast.
“In a lot of ways, it’s all about momentum,” Carter told me after the Cal game on Saturday. “I mean, if you ask me to point out something specific, like whether we’re missing tackles or assignments or something fundamentally wrong, I’d be the first to say, ’Hey guys, we need to go and fix this. Or we need to go work on that.’ But the truth is I just don’t see it. I mean, our offense is young, but that’s no excuse . . . We’ve got to find a way to make this better.”
The pain in Carter’s voice was tangible. He’s a player who’s always worn his emotions right out there on his sleeves for everybody to see. He genuinely cares about leaving some kind of legacy, however small, for the next class of Bruins to build on. It’s just not happening right now.
“I’m feeling more comfortable and I want to say that we’re getting there, but I know that’s not good enough,” freshman quarterback Kevin Prince said in the locker room on Saturday. This after throwing for a career-high 310 yards and looking drastically improved from an abysmal performance against Oregon a week earlier. “The coaches, the fans, all my teammates, they deserve better and I’m just going to keep doing my best to give it to them.”
Prince is going to get better as time goes on. Remember, this is a guy who hadn’t even played in a competitive football game since his junior year in high school. Physically, he’s got the tools to deliver. And there’s no doubt that freshman Jonathan Franklin is the real deal. His 74 yard lightning flash against the Bears proved that. A little undersized, he runs smoothly and downhill most of the time. When he’s not banged up, he can hold his own with just about any running back in the conference. But the wide receiving corps longs for someone to step up and be the go-to guy. Everyone just keeps wondering when and where that’s going to happen.
“I’m not going to sit here and give you all a bunch of excuses, that’s just not going to happen,” Neuheisel stated from the post-game podium last weekend. “We’re a young team and we’re trying to get better, and it’s really tough to see how well we were playing in the first quarter of the season, at three and oh, then watch the second quarter of the year, at oh and three, and now we’re kind of back where we started. Now it’s up to us to fight through this and find a way to close out the second half of the schedule as strongly as we can. I still believe in this team, and I know that the guys in that locker room do too.”
A defense that played so magnificently early on this year has sprung some leaks against the run. That 93 yard touchdown for Jahvid Best was both beautiful for Best and utterly atrocious for the UCLA ‘D’. Silly penalties have emerged as a nagging problem too, as exemplified by Datone Jones’ pointless personal foul after a third and long stop that gave Cal a first down early in Saturday’s fourth quarter. Those kinds of plays can be devastating to a defense’s mental momentum, and it’s hard to tell which player is going to step up and grab it back. (Could UCLA use another pick from Rahim Moore right now or what?)
Red zone woes have plagued this team too. Nothing against kicker Kai Forbath—he’s probably the best and most reliable player on the team—but you don’t want to see his number called every time the Bruins get deep into enemy territory. Four field goals in four red zone trips just leaves you with an empty feeling inside. Kind of like you forgot to eat your dinner.
“All we can do is focus on the next game, the next practice,” Carter summed up. “We’ve just got to do everything we need to in order to go and beat Arizona next weekend. We do that, and things will change for us in a hurry. I know it.”
No easy task in beating the #23 Wildcats on the road. They’re playing really well while UCLA is oh for the conference slate, though it's clear that this team still hasn’t played its best game. Unfortunately for Blue & Gold fans, it’s running out of time to do so and save yet another Bruins’ season from being bowless.
Hopefully, it all changes on Saturday in Tucson, for everyone’s sake.
-JAB
It’s all unraveled so quickly for the Bruins. After Saturday’s 45-26 home loss to a mediocre Cal team, what once was a promising 3-0 start has devolved into a 3-3 mark that reeks of one obvious fact: UCLA is still competing underhanded. Which is to say, head coach Rick Neuheisel has yet to significantly close the talent gap that has plagued Bruins football for years. USC clearly still runs this town.
None of this is meant as any kind of a bash. It’s not even meant as a complaint about the Neuheisel Era. Too little has transpired in too short a span of time to fairly judge this coaching regime yet. But concerned Bruin fans are talking, and it’s not just about the troubles at quarterback. The whispers are growing louder. Senior linebacker Reggie Carter knows that. He also knows the 2009 season is getting late fast.
“In a lot of ways, it’s all about momentum,” Carter told me after the Cal game on Saturday. “I mean, if you ask me to point out something specific, like whether we’re missing tackles or assignments or something fundamentally wrong, I’d be the first to say, ’Hey guys, we need to go and fix this. Or we need to go work on that.’ But the truth is I just don’t see it. I mean, our offense is young, but that’s no excuse . . . We’ve got to find a way to make this better.”
The pain in Carter’s voice was tangible. He’s a player who’s always worn his emotions right out there on his sleeves for everybody to see. He genuinely cares about leaving some kind of legacy, however small, for the next class of Bruins to build on. It’s just not happening right now.
“I’m feeling more comfortable and I want to say that we’re getting there, but I know that’s not good enough,” freshman quarterback Kevin Prince said in the locker room on Saturday. This after throwing for a career-high 310 yards and looking drastically improved from an abysmal performance against Oregon a week earlier. “The coaches, the fans, all my teammates, they deserve better and I’m just going to keep doing my best to give it to them.”
Prince is going to get better as time goes on. Remember, this is a guy who hadn’t even played in a competitive football game since his junior year in high school. Physically, he’s got the tools to deliver. And there’s no doubt that freshman Jonathan Franklin is the real deal. His 74 yard lightning flash against the Bears proved that. A little undersized, he runs smoothly and downhill most of the time. When he’s not banged up, he can hold his own with just about any running back in the conference. But the wide receiving corps longs for someone to step up and be the go-to guy. Everyone just keeps wondering when and where that’s going to happen.
“I’m not going to sit here and give you all a bunch of excuses, that’s just not going to happen,” Neuheisel stated from the post-game podium last weekend. “We’re a young team and we’re trying to get better, and it’s really tough to see how well we were playing in the first quarter of the season, at three and oh, then watch the second quarter of the year, at oh and three, and now we’re kind of back where we started. Now it’s up to us to fight through this and find a way to close out the second half of the schedule as strongly as we can. I still believe in this team, and I know that the guys in that locker room do too.”
A defense that played so magnificently early on this year has sprung some leaks against the run. That 93 yard touchdown for Jahvid Best was both beautiful for Best and utterly atrocious for the UCLA ‘D’. Silly penalties have emerged as a nagging problem too, as exemplified by Datone Jones’ pointless personal foul after a third and long stop that gave Cal a first down early in Saturday’s fourth quarter. Those kinds of plays can be devastating to a defense’s mental momentum, and it’s hard to tell which player is going to step up and grab it back. (Could UCLA use another pick from Rahim Moore right now or what?)
Red zone woes have plagued this team too. Nothing against kicker Kai Forbath—he’s probably the best and most reliable player on the team—but you don’t want to see his number called every time the Bruins get deep into enemy territory. Four field goals in four red zone trips just leaves you with an empty feeling inside. Kind of like you forgot to eat your dinner.
“All we can do is focus on the next game, the next practice,” Carter summed up. “We’ve just got to do everything we need to in order to go and beat Arizona next weekend. We do that, and things will change for us in a hurry. I know it.”
No easy task in beating the #23 Wildcats on the road. They’re playing really well while UCLA is oh for the conference slate, though it's clear that this team still hasn’t played its best game. Unfortunately for Blue & Gold fans, it’s running out of time to do so and save yet another Bruins’ season from being bowless.
Hopefully, it all changes on Saturday in Tucson, for everyone’s sake.
-JAB
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Cal Brings Issues, Talented Best to Rose
(first published on KLAC's Bruins Board --- 10/15/09)
It's a matchup of two reeling Pac-10 teams in Pasadena on Saturday. Both California and UCLA have hit the skids of late.
The Golden Bears were thankful for a bye last weekend that at least guaranteed they wouldn't get blow out again. Prior to that, eighth-year coach Jeff Tedford saw his Cal crew destroyed 42-3 by Oregon on the road before USC throttled the Bears 30-3 on their home turf. It hasn't been pretty, to say the least.
"We're struggling right now to get our swagger back, you know, and our confidence about what we're trying to do," said star tailback Jahvid Best earlier this week. "I still believe in this team and I know everybody in our locker room does to. Hopefully, we can get back on track (against UCLA on Saturday)."
The word is out on how to defend California. Teams who stack the line and contain the uber-talented Best have a shot to beat California. The junior running back had just 102 yards on 30 rushing attempts the past two weeks as both Oregon and USC pressed eight up in the box and took Best out of the game.
When teams have trouble carrying the rock, they usually turn to the air. But Golden Bears' junior quarterback Kevin Riley is only completing 51% of his passes this season, though he does have a good ratio of five touchdowns to just one interception. He couldn’t complete 40% of his passes against Oregon or Cal.
Additionally, the Golden Bears' defense was shredded in both of its last two contests, giving up 524 yards to Oregon and 457 to USC. It hasn't made Tedford happy. "This team has as much talent as any group in the conference," he proclaimed in Tuesday's teleconference. "I know we're capable of better things collectively, but we have to get some momentum rebuilt and rolling first."
California's problems aside, the UCLA Bruins are 3-2 and coming off of two straight troubling defeats. The team could only muster 16 points on the road at Stanford and just 10 a week later home to Oregon. Just when it looked to be turning a corner, the running game for the Bruins has headed south with just 95 yards on 26 carries against Stanford and a miserable 66 yards on 33 carries against Oregon.
Defensively the team has been good against the pass but has been struggled against the run in each of the past two games. Freshman Bruins quarterback Kevin Prince will get the start again despite a 13 for 25 performance for 81 yards last week home to Oregon. The freshman is hitting on 54% of his attempts this season with 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. The Bruins are 9th in the Pac 10 in total offense producing just 282 yards per game and a miserable 4.5 yards per play average.
One of these clubs will turn it around and get the confidence going again on Saturday at the Rose Bowl. With both of these teams so up and down so far this year, it's hard to predict who that's going to be. When in doubt, go with the home team.
Prediction: UCLA 24 - California 21
-JAB
It's a matchup of two reeling Pac-10 teams in Pasadena on Saturday. Both California and UCLA have hit the skids of late.
The Golden Bears were thankful for a bye last weekend that at least guaranteed they wouldn't get blow out again. Prior to that, eighth-year coach Jeff Tedford saw his Cal crew destroyed 42-3 by Oregon on the road before USC throttled the Bears 30-3 on their home turf. It hasn't been pretty, to say the least.
"We're struggling right now to get our swagger back, you know, and our confidence about what we're trying to do," said star tailback Jahvid Best earlier this week. "I still believe in this team and I know everybody in our locker room does to. Hopefully, we can get back on track (against UCLA on Saturday)."
The word is out on how to defend California. Teams who stack the line and contain the uber-talented Best have a shot to beat California. The junior running back had just 102 yards on 30 rushing attempts the past two weeks as both Oregon and USC pressed eight up in the box and took Best out of the game.
When teams have trouble carrying the rock, they usually turn to the air. But Golden Bears' junior quarterback Kevin Riley is only completing 51% of his passes this season, though he does have a good ratio of five touchdowns to just one interception. He couldn’t complete 40% of his passes against Oregon or Cal.
Additionally, the Golden Bears' defense was shredded in both of its last two contests, giving up 524 yards to Oregon and 457 to USC. It hasn't made Tedford happy. "This team has as much talent as any group in the conference," he proclaimed in Tuesday's teleconference. "I know we're capable of better things collectively, but we have to get some momentum rebuilt and rolling first."
California's problems aside, the UCLA Bruins are 3-2 and coming off of two straight troubling defeats. The team could only muster 16 points on the road at Stanford and just 10 a week later home to Oregon. Just when it looked to be turning a corner, the running game for the Bruins has headed south with just 95 yards on 26 carries against Stanford and a miserable 66 yards on 33 carries against Oregon.
Defensively the team has been good against the pass but has been struggled against the run in each of the past two games. Freshman Bruins quarterback Kevin Prince will get the start again despite a 13 for 25 performance for 81 yards last week home to Oregon. The freshman is hitting on 54% of his attempts this season with 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. The Bruins are 9th in the Pac 10 in total offense producing just 282 yards per game and a miserable 4.5 yards per play average.
One of these clubs will turn it around and get the confidence going again on Saturday at the Rose Bowl. With both of these teams so up and down so far this year, it's hard to predict who that's going to be. When in doubt, go with the home team.
Prediction: UCLA 24 - California 21
-JAB
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Oregon Blows Past UCLA, 24-10
(first published on KLAC's Bruins Board website --- 10/11/09)
No Jeremiah Masoli at quarterback for the Ducks yesterday at the Rose Bowl. No matter. A flurry of third quarter touchdowns, solid game management by backup Nate Costa, and Oregon rolled over a fatigued Bruins' defense en route to a 24-10 win.
For UCLA, it was the second straight Pac-10 loss after beginning the year with a 3-0 record. The Bruins are now 0-2 and in danger of bottoming out in league play with a loss to California at home next weekend. Oregon is 5-1, with a 3-0 conference mark and five straight wins after a season-opening loss at Boise State.
"That's what our team does," first-year Oregon coach Chip Kelly said. "They feed off each other. When somebody makes a big play, the other guys feed off that. These guys have a great attitude, a great chemistry right now. It's fun to be around them."
It was a tale of limited offense and missed red-zone opportunities for Rick Neuheisel's crew in this one. In the first half, UCLA saw a third and goal from the one yard line lead to zero points. Consecutive quarterback sneaks by QB Kevin Prince went nowhere. Later in the fourth, UCLA wideout Terrance Austin took a punt return inside the Oregon twenty-yard line. Again, the Bruins went for it on 4th and goal, this time from the five, but came away with nothing.
Kicker Kai Forbath's 52 yard field goal was responsible for the only points on the board at halftime, UCLA with a 3-0 lead.
"There are no excuses for that really," freshman RB Jonathan Franklin said afterwards. "Our defense is playing its guts out, and we didn't give them the kind of lift or breathing room that we needed. I really don't know what to say, other than we've got to keep working at getting better and converting (red zone chances). That was so disappointing out there today."
Freshman QB Kevin Prince returned from a fractured jaw for UCLA. After a conservative, mistake-free first half, Prince unraveled in the 3rd quarter amidst a flurry of Ducks' touchdowns. The Bruins saw their 3-0 halftime lead dissipate quickly when Oregon's Kenjon Barner returned the second half kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown. Moments later, Prince gift-wrapped a touchdown for Ducks' CB Talmadge Jackson, with an interception on an out throw for Terrance Austin that was returned 32 yards for a score. Less than two minutes after that, Prince lost a fumble that Oregon recovered. The Ducks rolled in for a third straight touchdown a few plays later, Nate Costa hitting receiver Jeff Maehl for a 20 yard score up the middle of the field. That grabbed a 21-3 lead for the Ducks and they never looked back.
"We've just got to get much better as a team, especially on offense," said UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel. "Our defense lays it on the line out there, play after play, but our offense has got to move the ball, score points, take time off the clock---really do all the little things that help both units stay fresh. We'll get to fixing this stuff right away, and I know we'll have a better effort next weekend."
Linebacker Akeem Ayers accounted for UCLA's only touchdown with a great interception in the Oregon end zone late in the third quarter. He picked off a forced throw by Costa, then planted both feet down before falling out of bounds. Unfortunately for the Bruins, it was too little, too late.
UCLA hosts Cal next Saturday at 12:30 at the Rose Bowl. Tune in to AM 570 KLAC for all of your Bruins coverage, starting two hours before every kickoff.
-JAB
No Jeremiah Masoli at quarterback for the Ducks yesterday at the Rose Bowl. No matter. A flurry of third quarter touchdowns, solid game management by backup Nate Costa, and Oregon rolled over a fatigued Bruins' defense en route to a 24-10 win.
For UCLA, it was the second straight Pac-10 loss after beginning the year with a 3-0 record. The Bruins are now 0-2 and in danger of bottoming out in league play with a loss to California at home next weekend. Oregon is 5-1, with a 3-0 conference mark and five straight wins after a season-opening loss at Boise State.
"That's what our team does," first-year Oregon coach Chip Kelly said. "They feed off each other. When somebody makes a big play, the other guys feed off that. These guys have a great attitude, a great chemistry right now. It's fun to be around them."
It was a tale of limited offense and missed red-zone opportunities for Rick Neuheisel's crew in this one. In the first half, UCLA saw a third and goal from the one yard line lead to zero points. Consecutive quarterback sneaks by QB Kevin Prince went nowhere. Later in the fourth, UCLA wideout Terrance Austin took a punt return inside the Oregon twenty-yard line. Again, the Bruins went for it on 4th and goal, this time from the five, but came away with nothing.
Kicker Kai Forbath's 52 yard field goal was responsible for the only points on the board at halftime, UCLA with a 3-0 lead.
"There are no excuses for that really," freshman RB Jonathan Franklin said afterwards. "Our defense is playing its guts out, and we didn't give them the kind of lift or breathing room that we needed. I really don't know what to say, other than we've got to keep working at getting better and converting (red zone chances). That was so disappointing out there today."
Freshman QB Kevin Prince returned from a fractured jaw for UCLA. After a conservative, mistake-free first half, Prince unraveled in the 3rd quarter amidst a flurry of Ducks' touchdowns. The Bruins saw their 3-0 halftime lead dissipate quickly when Oregon's Kenjon Barner returned the second half kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown. Moments later, Prince gift-wrapped a touchdown for Ducks' CB Talmadge Jackson, with an interception on an out throw for Terrance Austin that was returned 32 yards for a score. Less than two minutes after that, Prince lost a fumble that Oregon recovered. The Ducks rolled in for a third straight touchdown a few plays later, Nate Costa hitting receiver Jeff Maehl for a 20 yard score up the middle of the field. That grabbed a 21-3 lead for the Ducks and they never looked back.
"We've just got to get much better as a team, especially on offense," said UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel. "Our defense lays it on the line out there, play after play, but our offense has got to move the ball, score points, take time off the clock---really do all the little things that help both units stay fresh. We'll get to fixing this stuff right away, and I know we'll have a better effort next weekend."
Linebacker Akeem Ayers accounted for UCLA's only touchdown with a great interception in the Oregon end zone late in the third quarter. He picked off a forced throw by Costa, then planted both feet down before falling out of bounds. Unfortunately for the Bruins, it was too little, too late.
UCLA hosts Cal next Saturday at 12:30 at the Rose Bowl. Tune in to AM 570 KLAC for all of your Bruins coverage, starting two hours before every kickoff.
-JAB
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Ducks Flock to Pasadena for Big Bruin Test
(first published on KLAC's Bruins Board website --- 10/7/09)
At 4-1 overall, with a 2-0 mark in Pac-10 play, there's no doubt first-year head coach Chip Kelly has Oregon football headed the right way. Four straight wins since an opening night loss at Boise State (something about LeGarrette Blount throwing a punch?) have pushed UO to #13 in the national polls. But Jeremiah Masoli, Oregon's do-everything playmaker at quarterback, injured his knee in last weekend's win over Washington State. He'll likely miss the Bruins game, giving backup Nate Costa a chance for his first career start.
How he fares against a UCLA defense that is one of the tops in the country will be a huge determiner of the outcome in this one. But it's not all about Oregon's QB situation; the Bruins have been forced to shuffle the deck there as well. Starter Kevin Prince had his jaw fractured in last month's win over Tennesee. He missed two games, and while senior backup Kevin Craft played well in his stead, it's likely that Rick Neuheisel will turn back to his redshirt freshman for Saturday afternoon's game.
The clash of tailbacks will focus on UCLA's Jonathan Franklin, who seems to run harder with every game, and Oregon's breakout back LaMichael James, who's averaging more than six yards per carry.
UCLA hasn't beaten a ranked opponent yet this year, and it's probably not happening at the Rose Bowl this weekend.
Prediction: Oregon 20 - UCLA 13
-JAB
At 4-1 overall, with a 2-0 mark in Pac-10 play, there's no doubt first-year head coach Chip Kelly has Oregon football headed the right way. Four straight wins since an opening night loss at Boise State (something about LeGarrette Blount throwing a punch?) have pushed UO to #13 in the national polls. But Jeremiah Masoli, Oregon's do-everything playmaker at quarterback, injured his knee in last weekend's win over Washington State. He'll likely miss the Bruins game, giving backup Nate Costa a chance for his first career start.
How he fares against a UCLA defense that is one of the tops in the country will be a huge determiner of the outcome in this one. But it's not all about Oregon's QB situation; the Bruins have been forced to shuffle the deck there as well. Starter Kevin Prince had his jaw fractured in last month's win over Tennesee. He missed two games, and while senior backup Kevin Craft played well in his stead, it's likely that Rick Neuheisel will turn back to his redshirt freshman for Saturday afternoon's game.
The clash of tailbacks will focus on UCLA's Jonathan Franklin, who seems to run harder with every game, and Oregon's breakout back LaMichael James, who's averaging more than six yards per carry.
UCLA hasn't beaten a ranked opponent yet this year, and it's probably not happening at the Rose Bowl this weekend.
Prediction: Oregon 20 - UCLA 13
-JAB
Cardinal Derails Perfect UCLA Start, 24-16
(first published on KLAC's Bruins Board website --- 10/4/09)
Stanford is for real, and UCLA’s perfect start to the 2009 season is over. Riding senior tailback Toby Gerhart 29 times for 134 yards, the Cardinal offense displayed a steady balance all game long, en route to a 24-16 win.
It was the first win for Stanford over UCLA since 2003. That was also the last time the Cardinal made a bowl game. With head coach Jim Harbaugh now in his third year as Stanford’s head coach, his team genuinely looks like it’s turning a corner. Of course, having a quarterback like Andrew Luck certainly makes it all look a little easier: the redshirt freshman was 14 of 20 on his throws for 198 yards and the all-important donut in the interception column.
Stanford was a highly efficient 7 for 13 on 3rd down conversions; UCLA was a dismal 2 for 10 on the key plays. Time after time, Luck was able to pick up the blitz ahead of time and deliver his throws on the mark for the Cardinal.
“He’s a talented player, and he really just picked us apart there in the first half,” said Bruins’ coach Rick Neuheisel. “When you let their running game get going early with that big back (Toby Gerhart) of theirs, you put yourself in a difficult situation.
RB Jonathan Franklin rushed 14 times for 58 yards to lead the Bruins ground attack. Stanford Junior WR Ryan Whalen led all receivers with six catches for 188 yards.
After falling behind 24-6 early in the second half, UCLA began to chip away. Kicker Kai Forbath drilled another of his three field goal makes during a twelve minute span that framed a 1 yd TD dive from Jonathan Franklin.
Still, the deficit for UCLA was too much to overcome, as the Cardinal ran out the clock on their final drive.
“I was real proud of the way we fought back, everyone sticking together,” offered Bruins’ QB Kevin Craft, who was 22/34 for 206 yards without a pick. “But the bottom line is you have to find a way to get things evened up, and then get ahead and stay there. We came up short today.”
Stanford remains perfect in the Pac-10 at 3-0. UCLA falls to 0-1 in conference, with a home against #13 Oregon looming next Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
-JAB
Stanford is for real, and UCLA’s perfect start to the 2009 season is over. Riding senior tailback Toby Gerhart 29 times for 134 yards, the Cardinal offense displayed a steady balance all game long, en route to a 24-16 win.
It was the first win for Stanford over UCLA since 2003. That was also the last time the Cardinal made a bowl game. With head coach Jim Harbaugh now in his third year as Stanford’s head coach, his team genuinely looks like it’s turning a corner. Of course, having a quarterback like Andrew Luck certainly makes it all look a little easier: the redshirt freshman was 14 of 20 on his throws for 198 yards and the all-important donut in the interception column.
Stanford was a highly efficient 7 for 13 on 3rd down conversions; UCLA was a dismal 2 for 10 on the key plays. Time after time, Luck was able to pick up the blitz ahead of time and deliver his throws on the mark for the Cardinal.
“He’s a talented player, and he really just picked us apart there in the first half,” said Bruins’ coach Rick Neuheisel. “When you let their running game get going early with that big back (Toby Gerhart) of theirs, you put yourself in a difficult situation.
RB Jonathan Franklin rushed 14 times for 58 yards to lead the Bruins ground attack. Stanford Junior WR Ryan Whalen led all receivers with six catches for 188 yards.
After falling behind 24-6 early in the second half, UCLA began to chip away. Kicker Kai Forbath drilled another of his three field goal makes during a twelve minute span that framed a 1 yd TD dive from Jonathan Franklin.
Still, the deficit for UCLA was too much to overcome, as the Cardinal ran out the clock on their final drive.
“I was real proud of the way we fought back, everyone sticking together,” offered Bruins’ QB Kevin Craft, who was 22/34 for 206 yards without a pick. “But the bottom line is you have to find a way to get things evened up, and then get ahead and stay there. We came up short today.”
Stanford remains perfect in the Pac-10 at 3-0. UCLA falls to 0-1 in conference, with a home against #13 Oregon looming next Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
-JAB
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Bruins Head North, Open Pac-10 Play
(first published on KLAC's Bruins Board website --- 10/1/09)
With Saturday’s looming trip to Stanford (3-0, 2-0 in Pac-10), the undefeated UCLA Bruins (perfect through the ’09 non-conference slate) feel ready for the grind of Pac-10 play. And the Bruins coaching staff took full advantage of their extended practice time since the Kansas State win.
While it has been a full two weeks since UCLA played in a competitive football game in pads against anyone except each other, you wouldn’t know it listening to senior middle linebacker Reggie Carter.
“We’re focused, man,” offered Carter on Tuesday, the defense’s signal-caller and emotional leader. “Being three and oh right now, I mean it’s great and all. I’m not gonna lie and say I’d rather be where we were a year ago. But the thing that we all gotta remember, and keep telling ourselves, is that we really haven’t done anything yet. And that’s not me just putting us down. We have to focus on the fact that we still haven’t played a single Pac-10 team so far and there’s a lot of work left do do.”
The Cardinal should give UCLA all it can handle at Stanford Stadium this weekend. Jim Harbaugh’s crew is an impressive 3-1 out the gates with the only loss coming by 3 points to Wake Forest on the road. Lopsided conference wins for Stanford over both Washington schools have the team at 2-0 in the league, good enough for first place right now.
One of the main reasons why Harbaugh’s Cardinal is having so much success this season is its outstanding special teams play. Return man Chris Owusu already has three kickoffs returned for touchdown this season, tying the Pac-10 single season record set by USC’s Anthony Davis (’74) and UCLA’s Matthew Slater (’07). His long returns have boosted Stanford’s field position and greatly affect which side of the field teams are playing on.
To kick to Owosu or not to kick to him? That is the question that UCLA special teams coach Frank Gansz Jr. has dealt with for the past two weeks. A safer bet would be to stay away, but you don’t want to give Stanford the ball at the 40-yard-line every time either.
“He’s a problem,” says Gansz, matter-of-factly. “Just when you think you have containment, the guy busts through a couple defenders and he’s gone. We’ll have to treat him very carefully this weekend. He’s a game-changer, no doubt.”
The Bruins are off and running too though, with three wins in their first three games for the first time since 2005. That team went on to win ten games before some late season hiccups. With top Pac-10 teams dropping like flies just about every weekend this year, the door is certainly ajar for someone new to squeeze through this year.
“We know what our goals are,” said head coach Rick Neuheisel in his weekly Pac-10 teleconference. “And we know that we’re capable of achieving them. I really do believe that this group has the chance to put something special together over the course of the season. The bye week was good for us. It gave us a chance to freshen up, shake off some bumps and bruises here and there. We got a lot of quality practice time in too, so that was a big plus. Once the season gets rolling, sometimes it can be hard to keep the rhythm of practices. So it was nice to get that back for a bit and sharpen some things up— especially in terms of our red zone production and kick coverage.”
Though UCLA’s offense hasn’t exactly been lighting it up on the scoreboard just yet, it’s already clear that the ground game is significantly better than it was a year a go. Freshman TB Jonathan Franklin is getting decent space thanks to a vastly-improved offensive line. And fullback Derrick Coleman has been a nice change of pace runner for offensive coordinator Norm Chow’s scheme. But the quarterback position remains unsettled, though the seat stays warm. Senior QB Kevin Craft was a bit shaky at time during the home win over Kansas State a couple weeks back, but he made some key throws in the second half when he had to. He should be fine against an average-at-best Stanford ‘D’, so long as he continues avoiding the big mistakes that plagued him last year.
Meanwhile, injured freshman starting quarterback Kevin Prince is said to be all but recovered from the fractured jaw he suffered at the end of the win over Tennessee. He’s walking around visibly ten or so pounds lighter than before, but says his head feels fine. Prince will not travel with the team, but will make the trip to Stanford for the game on Saturday. He’s expected back under center against Oregon at home next weekend.
Prediction: UCLA 17 - Stanford 13
-JAB
With Saturday’s looming trip to Stanford (3-0, 2-0 in Pac-10), the undefeated UCLA Bruins (perfect through the ’09 non-conference slate) feel ready for the grind of Pac-10 play. And the Bruins coaching staff took full advantage of their extended practice time since the Kansas State win.
While it has been a full two weeks since UCLA played in a competitive football game in pads against anyone except each other, you wouldn’t know it listening to senior middle linebacker Reggie Carter.
“We’re focused, man,” offered Carter on Tuesday, the defense’s signal-caller and emotional leader. “Being three and oh right now, I mean it’s great and all. I’m not gonna lie and say I’d rather be where we were a year ago. But the thing that we all gotta remember, and keep telling ourselves, is that we really haven’t done anything yet. And that’s not me just putting us down. We have to focus on the fact that we still haven’t played a single Pac-10 team so far and there’s a lot of work left do do.”
The Cardinal should give UCLA all it can handle at Stanford Stadium this weekend. Jim Harbaugh’s crew is an impressive 3-1 out the gates with the only loss coming by 3 points to Wake Forest on the road. Lopsided conference wins for Stanford over both Washington schools have the team at 2-0 in the league, good enough for first place right now.
One of the main reasons why Harbaugh’s Cardinal is having so much success this season is its outstanding special teams play. Return man Chris Owusu already has three kickoffs returned for touchdown this season, tying the Pac-10 single season record set by USC’s Anthony Davis (’74) and UCLA’s Matthew Slater (’07). His long returns have boosted Stanford’s field position and greatly affect which side of the field teams are playing on.
To kick to Owosu or not to kick to him? That is the question that UCLA special teams coach Frank Gansz Jr. has dealt with for the past two weeks. A safer bet would be to stay away, but you don’t want to give Stanford the ball at the 40-yard-line every time either.
“He’s a problem,” says Gansz, matter-of-factly. “Just when you think you have containment, the guy busts through a couple defenders and he’s gone. We’ll have to treat him very carefully this weekend. He’s a game-changer, no doubt.”
The Bruins are off and running too though, with three wins in their first three games for the first time since 2005. That team went on to win ten games before some late season hiccups. With top Pac-10 teams dropping like flies just about every weekend this year, the door is certainly ajar for someone new to squeeze through this year.
“We know what our goals are,” said head coach Rick Neuheisel in his weekly Pac-10 teleconference. “And we know that we’re capable of achieving them. I really do believe that this group has the chance to put something special together over the course of the season. The bye week was good for us. It gave us a chance to freshen up, shake off some bumps and bruises here and there. We got a lot of quality practice time in too, so that was a big plus. Once the season gets rolling, sometimes it can be hard to keep the rhythm of practices. So it was nice to get that back for a bit and sharpen some things up— especially in terms of our red zone production and kick coverage.”
Though UCLA’s offense hasn’t exactly been lighting it up on the scoreboard just yet, it’s already clear that the ground game is significantly better than it was a year a go. Freshman TB Jonathan Franklin is getting decent space thanks to a vastly-improved offensive line. And fullback Derrick Coleman has been a nice change of pace runner for offensive coordinator Norm Chow’s scheme. But the quarterback position remains unsettled, though the seat stays warm. Senior QB Kevin Craft was a bit shaky at time during the home win over Kansas State a couple weeks back, but he made some key throws in the second half when he had to. He should be fine against an average-at-best Stanford ‘D’, so long as he continues avoiding the big mistakes that plagued him last year.
Meanwhile, injured freshman starting quarterback Kevin Prince is said to be all but recovered from the fractured jaw he suffered at the end of the win over Tennessee. He’s walking around visibly ten or so pounds lighter than before, but says his head feels fine. Prince will not travel with the team, but will make the trip to Stanford for the game on Saturday. He’s expected back under center against Oregon at home next weekend.
Prediction: UCLA 17 - Stanford 13
-JAB
Sunday, September 20, 2009
UCLA Halts Wildcat Prowl, Perfect Into Bye
(first published on KLAC's Bruins Board website --- 9/20/09)
San Diego State? Check. Tennessee on the road? Check. Kansas State? After last night’s 23-9 win in front of 67,311 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, you can put a check next to that one too.
Three and oh for the first time since 2005, and just one win short of last year’s season total of four. Not enough to make a coach happy, but good enough for now. As UCLA’s Rick Neuheisel says, “the real work begins in Pac-10 play in two weeks against Stanford.”
But a 3-0 run through the non-conference slate to start is just the way Neuheisel would have drawn it up. “Obviously this is the spot you want to be in right now,” the UCLA head coach remarked afterwards. “We’re playing with a lot of confidence. But it really doesn’t mean we’ve accomplished much of anything yet—except beaten three pretty good teams.”
Maybe the late start time had something to do with it (kickoff wasn’t till a quarter past seven), but this game had an energetic atmosphere that the Bruins’ season opener against San Diego State lacked two weeks ago. Surely a road win over Tennessee last Saturday in Knoxville had at least a little something to do with a more densely-packed blue in the stands in Pasadena for Kansas State.
70-year-old Bill Snyder is back stalking the sidelines for the Wildcats, but he can’t make tackles or score touchdowns. His mostly inexperienced and now 1-2 Kansas State crew looked unsure of itself from the get-go against a stout UCLA ‘D.”
Senior Kevin Craft was announced as the starting quarterback shortly before kickoff, ending any remaining speculation about who Rick Neuheisel would turn to in placed of injured starter Kevin Prince. Craft set a single-season school record with 20 interceptions thrown in 2008, but looked far more composed under center this time around.
For the Wildcats, star running back Daniel Thomas was limited to 54 yards on 15 carriers. Quarterback Carson Coffman was 20 of 34 for 193 yards, but threw two picks and was sacked six times.
Freshman tailback Jonathan Franklin rushed for a career-best 119 yards on 23 carries and Kai Forbath kicked three field goals without a miss for the Bruins (3-0), who get a bye next weekend before a trip to Stanford and the opening of Pac-10 play on October 3rd.
“Right now, the key is just staying focused,” senior cornerback Alterraun Verner reflected in the locker room, after a two interception performance that brought his season total to three. “Working on the things we need to work on, improving on the little stuff. We have a chance to be a really good team, now it’s up to us to get there.”
-JAB
San Diego State? Check. Tennessee on the road? Check. Kansas State? After last night’s 23-9 win in front of 67,311 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, you can put a check next to that one too.
Three and oh for the first time since 2005, and just one win short of last year’s season total of four. Not enough to make a coach happy, but good enough for now. As UCLA’s Rick Neuheisel says, “the real work begins in Pac-10 play in two weeks against Stanford.”
But a 3-0 run through the non-conference slate to start is just the way Neuheisel would have drawn it up. “Obviously this is the spot you want to be in right now,” the UCLA head coach remarked afterwards. “We’re playing with a lot of confidence. But it really doesn’t mean we’ve accomplished much of anything yet—except beaten three pretty good teams.”
Maybe the late start time had something to do with it (kickoff wasn’t till a quarter past seven), but this game had an energetic atmosphere that the Bruins’ season opener against San Diego State lacked two weeks ago. Surely a road win over Tennessee last Saturday in Knoxville had at least a little something to do with a more densely-packed blue in the stands in Pasadena for Kansas State.
70-year-old Bill Snyder is back stalking the sidelines for the Wildcats, but he can’t make tackles or score touchdowns. His mostly inexperienced and now 1-2 Kansas State crew looked unsure of itself from the get-go against a stout UCLA ‘D.”
Senior Kevin Craft was announced as the starting quarterback shortly before kickoff, ending any remaining speculation about who Rick Neuheisel would turn to in placed of injured starter Kevin Prince. Craft set a single-season school record with 20 interceptions thrown in 2008, but looked far more composed under center this time around.
For the Wildcats, star running back Daniel Thomas was limited to 54 yards on 15 carriers. Quarterback Carson Coffman was 20 of 34 for 193 yards, but threw two picks and was sacked six times.
Freshman tailback Jonathan Franklin rushed for a career-best 119 yards on 23 carries and Kai Forbath kicked three field goals without a miss for the Bruins (3-0), who get a bye next weekend before a trip to Stanford and the opening of Pac-10 play on October 3rd.
“Right now, the key is just staying focused,” senior cornerback Alterraun Verner reflected in the locker room, after a two interception performance that brought his season total to three. “Working on the things we need to work on, improving on the little stuff. We have a chance to be a really good team, now it’s up to us to get there.”
-JAB
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Bruins Ready For K-State Visit
(first published on KLAC's Bruins Board website --- 9/17/09)
Contain speedster Daniel Thomas and everything else should fall into place for UCLA’s defense against Kansas State on Saturday. The junior tailback rushed for over 100 yards in each of the Wildcats’ first two games. Of course, Massachusetts and Lousiana-Lafayette aren’t exactly college football powerhouses.
New old head coach Bill Snyder (70 in October) needs to get more out of junior quarterback Carson Coffman if he wants to avoid a long season. Coffman was mediocre at best in last week’s 17-15 loss to the Ragin’ Cajuns. So far, the Wildcat offense has greatly missed the play of QB Josh Freeman, chosen by Tampa Bay with the 17th pick in April’s NFL Draft. But Coffman has the mobility to add dimension to a rather bland Kansas State attack---Thomas notwithstanding.
For UCLA, the challenge goes beyond defensive containment. Freshman quarterback Kevin Prince fractured his jaw late in last week’s 19-15 win over Tennessee; he’s expected to miss at least two games. In his place will be either freshman Richard Brehaut or senior Kevin Craft. Head coach Rick Neuheisel hasn’t revealed his starting choice yet but did say he may play both in the game.
Whoever gets the call will be reliant on further strong play by a rejuvenated UCLA offensive line. Last year the Bruins averaged under three yards per carry. Through two games, that number is up to more than four, and the pass protection has been reliable as well.
Non-conference games in September do not a Pac-10 championship team make, but they sure do build confidence. Saturday’s home game against Kansas State should be no different. Look for the Bruins to head into their bye week full of momentum.
Prediction: UCLA over Kansas State, 27-10
-JAB
Contain speedster Daniel Thomas and everything else should fall into place for UCLA’s defense against Kansas State on Saturday. The junior tailback rushed for over 100 yards in each of the Wildcats’ first two games. Of course, Massachusetts and Lousiana-Lafayette aren’t exactly college football powerhouses.
New old head coach Bill Snyder (70 in October) needs to get more out of junior quarterback Carson Coffman if he wants to avoid a long season. Coffman was mediocre at best in last week’s 17-15 loss to the Ragin’ Cajuns. So far, the Wildcat offense has greatly missed the play of QB Josh Freeman, chosen by Tampa Bay with the 17th pick in April’s NFL Draft. But Coffman has the mobility to add dimension to a rather bland Kansas State attack---Thomas notwithstanding.
For UCLA, the challenge goes beyond defensive containment. Freshman quarterback Kevin Prince fractured his jaw late in last week’s 19-15 win over Tennessee; he’s expected to miss at least two games. In his place will be either freshman Richard Brehaut or senior Kevin Craft. Head coach Rick Neuheisel hasn’t revealed his starting choice yet but did say he may play both in the game.
Whoever gets the call will be reliant on further strong play by a rejuvenated UCLA offensive line. Last year the Bruins averaged under three yards per carry. Through two games, that number is up to more than four, and the pass protection has been reliable as well.
Non-conference games in September do not a Pac-10 championship team make, but they sure do build confidence. Saturday’s home game against Kansas State should be no different. Look for the Bruins to head into their bye week full of momentum.
Prediction: UCLA over Kansas State, 27-10
-JAB
Monday, September 14, 2009
UCLA QB Prince Injured, Out a Month
(first published on KLAC's Bruins Board website --- 9/14/09)
At 2-0, UCLA's 2009 season is off to a healthy start. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for its starting quarterback. Signal caller Kevin Prince is expected to miss a month of action after fracturing his jaw in Saturday's road win at Tennessee. X-rays taken on Sunday revealed the break, requiring his jaw to be wired shut while it heals.
The redshirt freshman led the Bruins to a 19-15 victory over UT in Knoxville's Neyland Stadium over the weekend, completing 11 of 23 passes for 101 yards with 1 TD and no INTs. It was just his second collegiate start since making his debut against San Diego State to open the season.
Prince suffered the injury with just under two minutes left in the game. He was hit hard in the face by a couple of Vols' defenders while being tackled for a safety. The QB was clearly in pain on the Bruins' sideline after the play, stretching his jaw while a bloody towel covered his cheek. Despite the fracture, Prince did return for UCLA's final two offensive plays of the game---both kneel downs to secure the win.
"This is a tough blow for Kevin and our football team," UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said. "We hope he recovers quickly, but we have other talented quarterbacks in our program. We have confidence in all of our guys and we will get them ready to lead us against Kansas State."
Which brings about the question of who will take Prince's place under center against Kansas State (1-1) on Saturday? The top two candidates are true freshman Richard Brehaut, who's actually listed as Prince's backup on the depth chart, or senior Kevin Craft. Brehaut is a talented recruit who played late in the season-opening win against SDSU. Craft was the UCLA starting QB for all of 2008 and brings plenty of experience to the table---along with a school record 20 INTs from a year ago.
Stay tuned for further updates on the UCLA quarterback situation as they come in.
-JAB
At 2-0, UCLA's 2009 season is off to a healthy start. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for its starting quarterback. Signal caller Kevin Prince is expected to miss a month of action after fracturing his jaw in Saturday's road win at Tennessee. X-rays taken on Sunday revealed the break, requiring his jaw to be wired shut while it heals.
The redshirt freshman led the Bruins to a 19-15 victory over UT in Knoxville's Neyland Stadium over the weekend, completing 11 of 23 passes for 101 yards with 1 TD and no INTs. It was just his second collegiate start since making his debut against San Diego State to open the season.
Prince suffered the injury with just under two minutes left in the game. He was hit hard in the face by a couple of Vols' defenders while being tackled for a safety. The QB was clearly in pain on the Bruins' sideline after the play, stretching his jaw while a bloody towel covered his cheek. Despite the fracture, Prince did return for UCLA's final two offensive plays of the game---both kneel downs to secure the win.
"This is a tough blow for Kevin and our football team," UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said. "We hope he recovers quickly, but we have other talented quarterbacks in our program. We have confidence in all of our guys and we will get them ready to lead us against Kansas State."
Which brings about the question of who will take Prince's place under center against Kansas State (1-1) on Saturday? The top two candidates are true freshman Richard Brehaut, who's actually listed as Prince's backup on the depth chart, or senior Kevin Craft. Brehaut is a talented recruit who played late in the season-opening win against SDSU. Craft was the UCLA starting QB for all of 2008 and brings plenty of experience to the table---along with a school record 20 INTs from a year ago.
Stay tuned for further updates on the UCLA quarterback situation as they come in.
-JAB
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Josh's 2009 NFL Predictions, Part 2: The NFC
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
NFC East
(y)-Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
(x)-New York Giants (10-6)
Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
Washington Redskins (5-11)
NFC North
(y)-Minnesota Vikings (11-5)
Green Bay Packers (9-7)
Chicago Bears (8-8)
Detroit Lions (5-11)
NFC South
(y)-New Orleans Saints (12-4)
(x)-Atlanta Falcons (10-6)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)
Carolina Panthers (4-12)
NFC West
(y)-Arizona Cardinals (10-6)
San Francisco 49ers (9-7)
Seattle Seahawks (6-10)
Saint Louis Rams (4-12)
y- division winner
x- wild card
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Playoffs: 1st Rd: Minnesota over Arizona, Atlanta over New York
2nd Rd: Philadelphia over Atlanta, Minnesota over New Orleans
NFC Championship: Philadelphia over Minnesota
Super Bowl XLIV: Philadelphia Eagles 27-24 over Pittsburgh Steelers
Best Head Coach: Andy Reid, Philadelphia
Best Offensive Player: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota
Best Defensive Player: Justin Tuck, New York
Best Rookie: Beanie Wells, Arizona
-JAB
NFC East
(y)-Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
(x)-New York Giants (10-6)
Dallas Cowboys (8-8)
Washington Redskins (5-11)
NFC North
(y)-Minnesota Vikings (11-5)
Green Bay Packers (9-7)
Chicago Bears (8-8)
Detroit Lions (5-11)
NFC South
(y)-New Orleans Saints (12-4)
(x)-Atlanta Falcons (10-6)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)
Carolina Panthers (4-12)
NFC West
(y)-Arizona Cardinals (10-6)
San Francisco 49ers (9-7)
Seattle Seahawks (6-10)
Saint Louis Rams (4-12)
y- division winner
x- wild card
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Playoffs: 1st Rd: Minnesota over Arizona, Atlanta over New York
2nd Rd: Philadelphia over Atlanta, Minnesota over New Orleans
NFC Championship: Philadelphia over Minnesota
Super Bowl XLIV: Philadelphia Eagles 27-24 over Pittsburgh Steelers
Best Head Coach: Andy Reid, Philadelphia
Best Offensive Player: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota
Best Defensive Player: Justin Tuck, New York
Best Rookie: Beanie Wells, Arizona
-JAB
Josh's 2009 NFL Predictions, Part 1: The AFC
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
AFC East
(y)-New England Patriots (12-4)
New York Jets (9-7)
Miami Dolphins (8-8)
Buffalo Bills (3-13)
AFC North
(y)-Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)
(x)-Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)
Cleveland Browns (5-11)
AFC South
(y)-Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
(x)-Tennessee Titans (10-6)
Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9)
Houston Texans (5-11)
AFC West
(y)-San Diego Chargers (11-5)
Denver Broncos (7-9)
Oakland Raiders (5-11)
Kansas City Chiefs (4-12)
y- division winner
x- wild card
-----------------------------------------------------------
Playoffs: 1st Rd: Baltimore over Indianapolis, Tennessee over San Diego
2nd Rd: Pittsburgh over Tennessee, New England over Baltimore
AFC Championship: Pittsburgh over New England
Best Head Coach: Bill Belichick, New England
Best Offensive Player: Darren Sproles, San Diego
Best Defensive Player: Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh
Best Rookie: Mark Sanchez, New York
-JAB
AFC East
(y)-New England Patriots (12-4)
New York Jets (9-7)
Miami Dolphins (8-8)
Buffalo Bills (3-13)
AFC North
(y)-Pittsburgh Steelers (13-3)
(x)-Baltimore Ravens (11-5)
Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)
Cleveland Browns (5-11)
AFC South
(y)-Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
(x)-Tennessee Titans (10-6)
Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9)
Houston Texans (5-11)
AFC West
(y)-San Diego Chargers (11-5)
Denver Broncos (7-9)
Oakland Raiders (5-11)
Kansas City Chiefs (4-12)
y- division winner
x- wild card
-----------------------------------------------------------
Playoffs: 1st Rd: Baltimore over Indianapolis, Tennessee over San Diego
2nd Rd: Pittsburgh over Tennessee, New England over Baltimore
AFC Championship: Pittsburgh over New England
Best Head Coach: Bill Belichick, New England
Best Offensive Player: Darren Sproles, San Diego
Best Defensive Player: Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh
Best Rookie: Mark Sanchez, New York
-JAB
Defense Holds Late, Bruins Stun Vols On Road
(first published on KLAC's Bruins Board website --- 9/12/09)
As the 2009 season approached, UCLA's coaching staff knew defense would be the backbone of this year's team. Two games into the year with two victories to show for it: So far, so good.
Leading by six points in the closing minutes of yesterday's battle with Tennessee in Knoxville, UCLA was up against the wall---literally. The Vols had driven 52 yards to the Bruins' 2 yd line and had a 3rd & goal coming up. But defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough didn't flinch, and neither did his unit.
"Up against it, on the road, loud environment, fatigue factoring in . . . I couldn't be prouder of the toughness we showed," said Bullough afterwards. "We've got a lot we can do better, but so far, we've got the right attitude and guys are stepping up for each other in big spots."
The Bruins' 'D' closed the hole twice on Vols' running backs---first on Bryce Brown, then on Montario Hardesty. The result was a 19-15 nailbiter of a win, UCLA's second straight against Tennessee following last year's victory at the Rose Bowl. The Bruins are 2-0, while Lane Kiffin suffered his first loss as the Vols' head coach. UT is now 1-1.
After throwing for five touchdowns in Tennessee's 63-7 season-opening massacre of Western Kentucky, Vols' senior QB Jonathan Crompton had an awful game at home against UCLA. Finishing 13 for 26 for just 93 yards and 3 interceptions, the Bruins' front seven got in his face constantly. And big games for DT Brian Price and the D-line usually bode well for the secondary. Senior Alterraun Verner got his first pick of the year, while sophomore S Rahim Moore snared two more---for an incredible total of five interceptions in just two games. It would have been six if not for an offsides call that wiped out another one.
"I just read the quarterback," Moore offered later. "I knew that Crompton had some skills, but I also knew that he could throw a pick because any quarterback can. I was just sitting back and reading the quarterback."
It wasn't a pretty game for either offense. UCLA managed just 186 total yards, but freshman QB Kevin Prince didn't make any huge mistakes. He was 11 of 23 for 101 yards and a 12 yard touchdown toss to fullback Chane Moline. Prince looked rattled early, but for a guy playing in just his second collegiate game, did an impressive job of keeping his poise in front of 100,000 loud Vols' supporters.
The Bruins fumbled an astonishing five times in the game, but lost only one of them. Head coach Rick Neuheisel noted there's plenty of room to get sharper.
"To come in here and find a way to beat a team like Tennessee," said Neuheisel, "that says a lot about our team's character and what we're made of. The offense hasn't looked pretty yet, those guys are still trying to figure things out, but I know we'll get better and it sure feels great to be 2-0 right now."
Placekicker Kai Forbath continued to show why he's one of the best in college football. Missing one early kick from 51 yards out, Forbath canned all four of his other attempts, including three straight to start the second half that broke a 10-10 halftime deadlock and gave UCLA a 19-10 lead after three quarters.
Bruins' freshman running back Jonathan Franklin had a strong game as well, with 80 yards rushing on 17 carries. That mostly cancelled out Tennessee tailback Montario Hardesty, who gained 89 yards on 26 attempts. And Franklin set a physical tone early, with some ploughing up-the-gut runs that helped the Bruins take the opening kickoff deep into UT territory for an early field goal.
UCLA is now 4-0 against the SEC since 2000 (two wins apiece over Tennessee and Alabama). Next up for the Blue & Gold is the final non-conference game of the year at home on Saturday against Big 12 foe Kansas State (1-1). The Wildcats lost a tough one to Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday, 17-15.
-JAB
As the 2009 season approached, UCLA's coaching staff knew defense would be the backbone of this year's team. Two games into the year with two victories to show for it: So far, so good.
Leading by six points in the closing minutes of yesterday's battle with Tennessee in Knoxville, UCLA was up against the wall---literally. The Vols had driven 52 yards to the Bruins' 2 yd line and had a 3rd & goal coming up. But defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough didn't flinch, and neither did his unit.
"Up against it, on the road, loud environment, fatigue factoring in . . . I couldn't be prouder of the toughness we showed," said Bullough afterwards. "We've got a lot we can do better, but so far, we've got the right attitude and guys are stepping up for each other in big spots."
The Bruins' 'D' closed the hole twice on Vols' running backs---first on Bryce Brown, then on Montario Hardesty. The result was a 19-15 nailbiter of a win, UCLA's second straight against Tennessee following last year's victory at the Rose Bowl. The Bruins are 2-0, while Lane Kiffin suffered his first loss as the Vols' head coach. UT is now 1-1.
After throwing for five touchdowns in Tennessee's 63-7 season-opening massacre of Western Kentucky, Vols' senior QB Jonathan Crompton had an awful game at home against UCLA. Finishing 13 for 26 for just 93 yards and 3 interceptions, the Bruins' front seven got in his face constantly. And big games for DT Brian Price and the D-line usually bode well for the secondary. Senior Alterraun Verner got his first pick of the year, while sophomore S Rahim Moore snared two more---for an incredible total of five interceptions in just two games. It would have been six if not for an offsides call that wiped out another one.
"I just read the quarterback," Moore offered later. "I knew that Crompton had some skills, but I also knew that he could throw a pick because any quarterback can. I was just sitting back and reading the quarterback."
It wasn't a pretty game for either offense. UCLA managed just 186 total yards, but freshman QB Kevin Prince didn't make any huge mistakes. He was 11 of 23 for 101 yards and a 12 yard touchdown toss to fullback Chane Moline. Prince looked rattled early, but for a guy playing in just his second collegiate game, did an impressive job of keeping his poise in front of 100,000 loud Vols' supporters.
The Bruins fumbled an astonishing five times in the game, but lost only one of them. Head coach Rick Neuheisel noted there's plenty of room to get sharper.
"To come in here and find a way to beat a team like Tennessee," said Neuheisel, "that says a lot about our team's character and what we're made of. The offense hasn't looked pretty yet, those guys are still trying to figure things out, but I know we'll get better and it sure feels great to be 2-0 right now."
Placekicker Kai Forbath continued to show why he's one of the best in college football. Missing one early kick from 51 yards out, Forbath canned all four of his other attempts, including three straight to start the second half that broke a 10-10 halftime deadlock and gave UCLA a 19-10 lead after three quarters.
Bruins' freshman running back Jonathan Franklin had a strong game as well, with 80 yards rushing on 17 carries. That mostly cancelled out Tennessee tailback Montario Hardesty, who gained 89 yards on 26 attempts. And Franklin set a physical tone early, with some ploughing up-the-gut runs that helped the Bruins take the opening kickoff deep into UT territory for an early field goal.
UCLA is now 4-0 against the SEC since 2000 (two wins apiece over Tennessee and Alabama). Next up for the Blue & Gold is the final non-conference game of the year at home on Saturday against Big 12 foe Kansas State (1-1). The Wildcats lost a tough one to Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday, 17-15.
-JAB
Friday, September 11, 2009
For UCLA, Tough Challenge Looms in Knoxville
(first published on KLAC's Bruins Board website --- 9/11/09)
Four first half interceptions. Three significant injuries to starters. 29 total team yards rushing.
Statistically, it doesn’t sound like the makings of an upset, but that’s just what it was for UCLA against Tennessee last season in head coach Rick Neuheisel’s Bruins debut.
“I still remember the good feeling I had inside,” Neuheisel said earlier this week. “The excitement of being back coaching on the college sidelines, at a place that had so many great memories for me . . . And then our guys hanging on and pulling it out in overtime. Just a great day, all around.”
The Bruins pulled off a 27-24 victory despite allowing the Vols to tie the game on a field goal at the end of regulation. Kai Forbath canned a 42 yarder in the extra session to give UCLA its final winning margin.
“We were feeling a little tired there at the end, but guys stepped up and made plays and we pulled it out,” remembered cover stud Alterraun Verner, who had one interception in the game last year. “I really thought it was a sign of things to come for us, but it didn’t go down like that. Now we have a chance to really use this game a springboard.”
Tennessee is probably feeling the same way. The Vols switched coaches from Philip Fulmer to Lane Kiffin this year, and things got off to a fiery start last week against Western Kentucky. QB Jonathan Crompton set a career high with five TD tosses, and Kiffin’s crew set a record for most points scored in a Vols’ coaching debut with a 63-7 shellacking of the Hilltoppers. A group of talented young receivers seems ready to step up for UT, while running backs Montario Hardesty and Bryce Brown form a dynamic tandem at tailback.
Oh yeah, and then there’s that Eric Berry guy on defense. A likely top five NFL draft pick after the season, the junior safety is so diversely talented that some in Vols land truly believe he’ll be the second defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy, and the first since Charles Woodson became the first to do it, for Michigan in 1997. A stretch? Probably, but Berry is really good at making opposing quarterbacks look really bad. UCLA’s Kevin Prince, playing in just his second NCAA game, would do well to avoid throwing anywhere near the safety, just to be on the safe side.
The Bruins beat the Vols last year at home, even with those aforementioned ugly numbers. It’s no stretch to say that UCLA is a better team now than it was then. But so is Tennessee, and they’re the home team for this one. Don’t let anybody tell you that’s anything less than a huge advantage in a relatively evenly-matched football game.
Sorry, Bruins fans. I have to go with the Vols in this one.
Prediction: Tennessee over UCLA, 24-17
-JAB
Four first half interceptions. Three significant injuries to starters. 29 total team yards rushing.
Statistically, it doesn’t sound like the makings of an upset, but that’s just what it was for UCLA against Tennessee last season in head coach Rick Neuheisel’s Bruins debut.
“I still remember the good feeling I had inside,” Neuheisel said earlier this week. “The excitement of being back coaching on the college sidelines, at a place that had so many great memories for me . . . And then our guys hanging on and pulling it out in overtime. Just a great day, all around.”
The Bruins pulled off a 27-24 victory despite allowing the Vols to tie the game on a field goal at the end of regulation. Kai Forbath canned a 42 yarder in the extra session to give UCLA its final winning margin.
“We were feeling a little tired there at the end, but guys stepped up and made plays and we pulled it out,” remembered cover stud Alterraun Verner, who had one interception in the game last year. “I really thought it was a sign of things to come for us, but it didn’t go down like that. Now we have a chance to really use this game a springboard.”
Tennessee is probably feeling the same way. The Vols switched coaches from Philip Fulmer to Lane Kiffin this year, and things got off to a fiery start last week against Western Kentucky. QB Jonathan Crompton set a career high with five TD tosses, and Kiffin’s crew set a record for most points scored in a Vols’ coaching debut with a 63-7 shellacking of the Hilltoppers. A group of talented young receivers seems ready to step up for UT, while running backs Montario Hardesty and Bryce Brown form a dynamic tandem at tailback.
Oh yeah, and then there’s that Eric Berry guy on defense. A likely top five NFL draft pick after the season, the junior safety is so diversely talented that some in Vols land truly believe he’ll be the second defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy, and the first since Charles Woodson became the first to do it, for Michigan in 1997. A stretch? Probably, but Berry is really good at making opposing quarterbacks look really bad. UCLA’s Kevin Prince, playing in just his second NCAA game, would do well to avoid throwing anywhere near the safety, just to be on the safe side.
The Bruins beat the Vols last year at home, even with those aforementioned ugly numbers. It’s no stretch to say that UCLA is a better team now than it was then. But so is Tennessee, and they’re the home team for this one. Don’t let anybody tell you that’s anything less than a huge advantage in a relatively evenly-matched football game.
Sorry, Bruins fans. I have to go with the Vols in this one.
Prediction: Tennessee over UCLA, 24-17
-JAB
UCLA Rallies Past SDSU In '09 Opener
(first published on KLAC's Bruins Board website --- 9/6/09)
For a half, the San Diego State gave UCLA all it could ask for. The Aztecs took the opening kickoff and drove 69 yards in 14 plays to grab a 7-0 lead five minutes into the game. A Rose Bowl crowd of 55,761 was hushed early. But it would get better, with the Bruins spotting the Aztecs an 11 point lead before eventually rallying for 30 straight points of their own and a 33-14 win.
“I think early on we were just a little overaggressive,” offered senior linebacker Reggie Carter in the locker room afterwards. “Guys were missing some tackles. I mean, it’s the season opener, you’re trying to get the fans into it, plus you gotta give them a lot of respect. They’re not a bad team.”
Whatever the reason for the sluggish start, quarterback Kevin Prince had a lot to do with the turnaround. The redshirt freshman started and played in his first collegiate game, hitting on all of his first five passes. There were few signs of the jitters from Prince, and the offensive line’s play had a lot to do with it. Aztec defensive pressure was greatly limited in this one.
“Last year, the offensive line was a weakness for out team,” said center Kai Maiva. “Nothing against the guys who were here, but this year we need to be a lot better if we’re going to be as good as we think we can be. Tonight was a good start.”
Still, San Diego actually led this one 14-3 late in the first quarter. It took touchdown runs of 12 yards by Jonathan Franklin and 30 yards by Derrick Coleman to turn the score around. Throw in a blocked field goal returned 65 yards for a touchdown by cornerback Alterraun Verner and a five yard TD toss from Prince to WR Terrance Austin, and this one was all wrapped up by the fourth. Sophomore safety Rahid Moore had a big game as well, adding three interceptions.
“It’s a good first game,” summed up head coach Rick Neuheisel. “We did some things really well out there, but we’ve obviously got all kinds of stuff to work on. That’s what we’ll be doing this week, ironing out the kinks from this one while we prepare for a great opponent in Tennessee.”
Last year, UCLA nipped the Vols by three points in overtime at the Rose Bowl in the season opener. It would prove to be the high point of the season for the Bruins en route to a dismal 4-8 campaign. Now the Bruins try to make it two straight over one of college football’s powerhouses.
“Any time you get to play in a stadium like Neyland in a place like Knoxville, it’s a special experience,” said Neuheisel. “Winning there would just make it that much more special.”
-JAB
For a half, the San Diego State gave UCLA all it could ask for. The Aztecs took the opening kickoff and drove 69 yards in 14 plays to grab a 7-0 lead five minutes into the game. A Rose Bowl crowd of 55,761 was hushed early. But it would get better, with the Bruins spotting the Aztecs an 11 point lead before eventually rallying for 30 straight points of their own and a 33-14 win.
“I think early on we were just a little overaggressive,” offered senior linebacker Reggie Carter in the locker room afterwards. “Guys were missing some tackles. I mean, it’s the season opener, you’re trying to get the fans into it, plus you gotta give them a lot of respect. They’re not a bad team.”
Whatever the reason for the sluggish start, quarterback Kevin Prince had a lot to do with the turnaround. The redshirt freshman started and played in his first collegiate game, hitting on all of his first five passes. There were few signs of the jitters from Prince, and the offensive line’s play had a lot to do with it. Aztec defensive pressure was greatly limited in this one.
“Last year, the offensive line was a weakness for out team,” said center Kai Maiva. “Nothing against the guys who were here, but this year we need to be a lot better if we’re going to be as good as we think we can be. Tonight was a good start.”
Still, San Diego actually led this one 14-3 late in the first quarter. It took touchdown runs of 12 yards by Jonathan Franklin and 30 yards by Derrick Coleman to turn the score around. Throw in a blocked field goal returned 65 yards for a touchdown by cornerback Alterraun Verner and a five yard TD toss from Prince to WR Terrance Austin, and this one was all wrapped up by the fourth. Sophomore safety Rahid Moore had a big game as well, adding three interceptions.
“It’s a good first game,” summed up head coach Rick Neuheisel. “We did some things really well out there, but we’ve obviously got all kinds of stuff to work on. That’s what we’ll be doing this week, ironing out the kinks from this one while we prepare for a great opponent in Tennessee.”
Last year, UCLA nipped the Vols by three points in overtime at the Rose Bowl in the season opener. It would prove to be the high point of the season for the Bruins en route to a dismal 4-8 campaign. Now the Bruins try to make it two straight over one of college football’s powerhouses.
“Any time you get to play in a stadium like Neyland in a place like Knoxville, it’s a special experience,” said Neuheisel. “Winning there would just make it that much more special.”
-JAB
2009 UCLA Bruins Football Preview
(first published on KLAC's Bruins Board website --- 9/2/09)
First acts are usually tough to follow, but the UCLA Bruins and head coach Rick Neuheisel shouldn’t have all that much difficulty topping their debut campaign. After a surprising season-opening 27-24 overtime win over Tennessee at the Rose Bowl, UCLA proceeded to lose eight of its last eleven, en route to a dismal 4-8 campaign. Hardly the stuff that Neuheisel’s “Move Over USC” rhetoric was supposed to be made of.
2009 should be a drastically better season in Pasadena for a variety of reasons. Foremost among them is the return of three stellar defensive players---all at different levels of the ‘D’. Senior Alterraun Verner is a shutdown cover guy. Senior Reggie Carter is not only a playmaker and signal caller at middle linebacker, but a great locker room presence as well. And junior Brian Price is as good as any defensive tackle in the conference.
The rest of the defense is filled with young talent, something that bodes well for the future at UCLA. Guys like freshman CB Aaron Hester and sophomores S Rahid Moore, LB Akeem Ayers, and DE Datone Jones give defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough a chance to dictate things more often than not. A promising recruiting class for 2010 will only bolster the talent level on ‘D’ next year as well.
Offensively, the quarterback position can’t help but be more consistent. Beleaguered and mistake-prone (20 interceptions), Kevin Craft was not Rick Neuheisel’s favorite player last year. He gives way to redshirt freshman Kevin Prince, who hasn’t played a snap of competitive in-game football since the first game of his senior year in high school. Still, Prince has a strong arm and a lot of accuracy to go with it---tools that will serve him well in the feisty Pac-10, a conference with tremendous defensive talent from top to bottom.
Surrounding Prince offensively are wideout weapons in Terrance Austin and Taylor Embree, a deep corps of versatile TEs. RBs Jonathan Franklin and Derrick Coleman (and Christian Ramirez, once he returns from a leg injury) are a lot stronger than recent Bruins running back (Mo Jones-Drew notwithstanding, of course). But none of it matters if the offensive line doesn’t improve from its woeful performance of a year ago. Averaging less than three rushing yards per carry isn’t easy to do, but it happened to the Bruins last year. This season should be different, with four new starters joining versatile C Kai Maiva. If they can improve the ground attack and buy their young quarterback some time to make good decisions, the offense will be better than a lot of people expect.
So what does act two and the 2009 campaign hold in store for UCLA? Surely, the schedule will have a lot to do with it. Opening with a win against San Diego State at home is all but certain (I'm guessing something lopsided, like 31-3), but a trip to Knoxville and a rematch with a vengeful Tennessee team in game two looms as difficult, to say the least. Home games against Oregon, California and Arizona State are all winnable, but trips to Oregon State, Arizona and the USC behemoth will require a lot of composure to pull off victories.
Be patient, Bruins fans. A bowl game is definitely within the grasp of this year’s team, but 7-5 is about all you can ask for with so many offensive questions. I think Neuheisel can get this team there, and if he does, 2010 could be a really special year for UCLA.
-JAB
First acts are usually tough to follow, but the UCLA Bruins and head coach Rick Neuheisel shouldn’t have all that much difficulty topping their debut campaign. After a surprising season-opening 27-24 overtime win over Tennessee at the Rose Bowl, UCLA proceeded to lose eight of its last eleven, en route to a dismal 4-8 campaign. Hardly the stuff that Neuheisel’s “Move Over USC” rhetoric was supposed to be made of.
2009 should be a drastically better season in Pasadena for a variety of reasons. Foremost among them is the return of three stellar defensive players---all at different levels of the ‘D’. Senior Alterraun Verner is a shutdown cover guy. Senior Reggie Carter is not only a playmaker and signal caller at middle linebacker, but a great locker room presence as well. And junior Brian Price is as good as any defensive tackle in the conference.
The rest of the defense is filled with young talent, something that bodes well for the future at UCLA. Guys like freshman CB Aaron Hester and sophomores S Rahid Moore, LB Akeem Ayers, and DE Datone Jones give defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough a chance to dictate things more often than not. A promising recruiting class for 2010 will only bolster the talent level on ‘D’ next year as well.
Offensively, the quarterback position can’t help but be more consistent. Beleaguered and mistake-prone (20 interceptions), Kevin Craft was not Rick Neuheisel’s favorite player last year. He gives way to redshirt freshman Kevin Prince, who hasn’t played a snap of competitive in-game football since the first game of his senior year in high school. Still, Prince has a strong arm and a lot of accuracy to go with it---tools that will serve him well in the feisty Pac-10, a conference with tremendous defensive talent from top to bottom.
Surrounding Prince offensively are wideout weapons in Terrance Austin and Taylor Embree, a deep corps of versatile TEs. RBs Jonathan Franklin and Derrick Coleman (and Christian Ramirez, once he returns from a leg injury) are a lot stronger than recent Bruins running back (Mo Jones-Drew notwithstanding, of course). But none of it matters if the offensive line doesn’t improve from its woeful performance of a year ago. Averaging less than three rushing yards per carry isn’t easy to do, but it happened to the Bruins last year. This season should be different, with four new starters joining versatile C Kai Maiva. If they can improve the ground attack and buy their young quarterback some time to make good decisions, the offense will be better than a lot of people expect.
So what does act two and the 2009 campaign hold in store for UCLA? Surely, the schedule will have a lot to do with it. Opening with a win against San Diego State at home is all but certain (I'm guessing something lopsided, like 31-3), but a trip to Knoxville and a rematch with a vengeful Tennessee team in game two looms as difficult, to say the least. Home games against Oregon, California and Arizona State are all winnable, but trips to Oregon State, Arizona and the USC behemoth will require a lot of composure to pull off victories.
Be patient, Bruins fans. A bowl game is definitely within the grasp of this year’s team, but 7-5 is about all you can ask for with so many offensive questions. I think Neuheisel can get this team there, and if he does, 2010 could be a really special year for UCLA.
-JAB
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