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October 15, 2006
Report card
Here is the report card for the UCLA-Oregon game:
No. 18 Oregon 30, UCLA 20; Record: 4-2, 2-2 Pac-10; Week 6 Grade: D
Quarterback
Patrick Cowan had his good moments in making plays with his feet and his arm, but overall it was not a rosy day. He completed 16 of 31 for 112 yards, had an interception and went 6 for 16 in the second half.
Grade: D
Running backs
Chris Markey (17 carries, 97 yards) had a few big runs, but a few questionable cutbacks once he got into the secondary probably hindered his numbers. Kahlil Bell (5 carries, 6 yards) continues to struggle despite a pair of TD runs.
Grade: C-
Receivers
The longest pass play was 14 yards, and that is against an Oregon defense challenging the Bruins to go deep. The knock on this unit entering the season was a game-breaker didn’t exist, and that remains the biggest knock.
Grade: C
Offensive line
The early loss of strong-side tackle Aleksey Lanis (ankle) was a hindrance, and the unit had problems protecting Cowan despite his only being sacked twice. A 3.5-yard average will not cut it with this passing game.
Grade: C-
Defensive line
Giving up 256 rushing yards starts with the defensive line, which could not match up with Oregon’s size nor with the speed of quarterback Dennis Dixon. The Bruins allowed 250 rushing yards in their first five games.
Grade: D-
Linebackers
Christian Taylor played hurt, and it showed. He readily admitted his tackling was sloppy, as did most members of the defense. What good is speed to counteract a lack of size if once the players get to the ball carrier, a tackle is missed?
Grade: D-
Secondary
Dixon was 10 of 17 for 144 yards and two TDs, both of which came in the first quarter. Oregon’s receivers won the match-up battle, with Brian Paysinger toasting the secondary for 105 yards on four catches.
Grade: D-
Special teams
Sure, the Bruins blocked a field goal and extra point, but also allowed a big kickoff return to James Stewart and were caught napping by an on-sides kick.
Grade: D
Coaching: Defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker took the blame for being out-schemed in the first quarter, when the Ducks went ahead 20-3. Meanwhile, UCLA’s decision not to go no-huddle in the closing minutes was strange, although it likely would not have mattered.
Grade: F
Posted by Brian Dohn at October 15, 2006 07:41 PM
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Comments
Brian,
Now that we are officially half way through the season, do you have a report card (or maybe just comments) on how the team has faired over the first 6 games? Where do you see this team finishing out the season?
Posted by: CalPolyBruinFan at October 16, 2006 07:46 AM
couldn't agree with you more.
Posted by: Andy at October 16, 2006 08:01 AM
Good call on the no-huddle. And also, the decision to punt late in the 4th quarter? And then no sense of urgency when Oregon gifted the punt back to us. But then an onsides kick???
I do not think any of these decisions would have changed the outcome either, but collectively did you not feel Dorrell was in damage-control mode and had already accepted defeat halfway through the fourth quarter.
Posted by: Eugene at October 16, 2006 10:17 AM
Brian,
I've been a supporter of Karl Dorrell because he is an alum, a quality human being, and potentially a solid head coach. But, I've now realized he doesn't have the necessary (qualitative) tools to be successful at the D-1 level.
Maybe UCLA is tough (grades) for many recruits to qualify, but the players seem so uninspired.
How long will Guererro's debacle last?
John from OC
Posted by: Anonymous at October 16, 2006 11:16 AM