Really disheartening loss. We had a lot of momentum after the Utah game, we lost it some in the Rice game, and now it seems we're back to square one.

It doesn't appear like Svoboda was a good choice as OC. The scripted plays to start the game were great, but it was all downhill from there. Didn't Svoboda/Dorrell make it public that they were too predictable in the Rice game? Why be even MORE predictable on the road against a good opponent?

Also, our lack of a top flite reciever is showing, especially in redzone situations. Ben Olson is showing his inexperience, telegraphing his passes and not going through his progressions quickly enough.

Our defense played well for the most part except for the cornerbacks, who were lost in coverage and didn't tackle well, and gambled unnecessarily. It's a shame that the great turnaround by the front 7 is being sqaundered. Hopefully these issues will be solved as the team continues to gain experience, otherwise the whole season will be ruined.

Yes and whatever happened to the shotgun?

Hey Brian,

It is your duty to grill Svoboda all week about this game. It is on him. 3 straight runs inside the 10? Or how about 4 minutes left, down 10, 90 yards to go, and he calls 2 straight run plays up the middle. I think they thought we were up 10. Thanks.

This comment was edited. Please do not use personal attacks.

Rice and UW have been successful at dropping 7-8 guys and eliminating the short passing game. Olson averaged something like 7.5 yards per completion, which is low. Why haven't we adjusted to this yet and tried to run some deeper pass patterns?

Considering the lousy offensive play calling thus far, has Dorrell talked about taking over the offensive play calling (he did it when he was an assistant coach)? Dorrell already fired an offensive coordinator (Axman) and defensive coordinator (Kerr) during his first 3 seasons, maybe he needs to do something more proactive this time.

I am looking forward to reading your piece in Monday's paper.

I completely agree that Dorrell needs to take over the play calling. It's clear the Svoboda is learning on the job and we can't afford that with a young quarterback and a young team.

Positives - this is a very young team and the D looks very good in my opinion. I think we do have a strong upside but we need success this year to keep the momentum going. I hope Dorrell takes charge and shows the way.

Actually, KD is the headcoach, and based on the game that Svodoba called in Utah plus his resume, I think KD is the handicap.

Brian, please be blunt with the staff this week. Ask them point blank why we would not attempt a pass in the endzone, or why we won't let "the left-handed Elway" throw downfield? And of all weeks, against the Pac-10's worst pass-D.

My BIG concern is that the coaches are going to kill Ben's confidence.

Many of the questions you folks want me to ask were already asked after the game. Sometimes the answers, in my opinion, are not worth writing, for a variety of reasons.
As for it being my "duty to grill" Jim Svoboda all week about the play-calling, I disagree. I asked him about the play calling after the game, I will probably ask him one more time this week to see what else has changed, but it is not my "duty" to badger someone. It's not like he will have a different answer Tuesday than he will Wednesday.

Brian:

The requests to "grill the coaches" is a reaction by the fans and alums to a UCLA administration (Dan Guerrero) that does not want to hear their concerns about the problems with the football coaches. Since the administration does not seem to be putting any heat on the coaches, the media is our only alternative.

Let me give you some history. In 2000 Bob Toledo started the season 6-0 and in the top 5 (we beat Alabama and Ohio State) and finished 1-4. Although the UCLA finished 7-4 and qualified for a bowl game, the team was in such chaos that they declined a bowl invitation. At schools committed to having a successful football program this would get a coach fired. At UCLA Bob Toledo was given another year and did not even make it to the end of that season before being fired.

Brian, Thank you for posting a much more interesting article than the other Briun Beat guy fron the "other paper"
I am am aspiring offensive football coach and I was wondering if you could ask Dorrell if I could join the staff and learn how to be a major college offensive coordinator on the job since he is so understanding of the learning process.
In turn, I can teach him how to appear as though he actually has a handle on the situation and knows what is going on during the game when it appears he has a huge question mark on his face. That helps when 18-23 yr old young men that look to their leader for confidence when things are not going well. John Cooper had a very similar ? on his face and we all know how he did in tough games.