It seems like our pass defense was very porous in the second half of the BYU game. What would be the reason?? Poor adjustments? Lack of focus? Poor defensive schemes? Is our defense too predictable?

Or, BYU has a good quarterback, and Austin Collie is a heckuva a receiver. Sometimes, the other team does things right. They are attempting to succeed as well.

Hearing a lot of whining from BYU fans about the second half fumble call (which I thought they got right), and the refs in general. What do you think? To me, the most eggregious miss by the refs was the PI on Cowan (which you noted), which really was a game-changing non-call that the refs blew IMO.

Speaking of that play, any updates on Breazell? Been hearing rumors he could be out for the year on Paulson's accidental hit at the end of the INT run. That was painful to watch...

agree with all the grades, and that BYU has some playmakers.

However, much of this is due to BYU. After seeing them live, I think they're a much better team than I thought. And I already thought they were a good MW team. If this same team was from a higher profile conference, or was a glamour name, I don't think Bruin fans would be as disappointed by the performance.

that being said, I have more doubts about this team than I thought I would have in week 2.

Gerry Ohta, RE: Pass Defense
BYU's receiver rotations caused many matchup and adjustment problems for the UCLA secondary. DW has been quoted attributing those factors. I didn't read anything on how he intends to rectify things, if at all...

Zippy, RE: Refs & Calls
Maybe the refs were just giving one back to the Cougars for the So'oto "fumble" in Q2. Despite reviewing evidence strongly suggesting that the ball was not a fumble (where was the UCLA Sideline Camera View???), they let the fumble call stand. That was a huge, momentum building opportunity that the Cougars were denied.

And which would be more egregious:
Missing a call that one, maybe two zebras might have the proper perspective to do so in realtime?
Or missing a call on a play under review, where multiple angles and replays are available?

I'm tempted to place odds on the Replay Officials being the same that did the Oregon-Oklahoma game last year...

Maybe instead of reviewing the PI, they were too busy setting up a youtube page for the LP-BB Tooth-Cracker! I think BB's OK. Brian already reported KD said he's likely to be ready for next week.

Anonymous, RE: BYU
I totally agree. I think a lot of people were expecting UCLA to have an easier time in beating them. As much as I wanted to see a favorable blowout, I knew tense times were more likely.

A lot of people didn't know/care this was a team that racked up 11 straight wins, the last 2 coming against Pac10 teams that have beaten UCLA within the last 2 seasons. Their defense ranked higher than ours in several categories last year, and they came to play.

Brian, RE: Complacency
Bruce Davis has mentioned complacency among the players during the game. In your observations, who would you say is(are) the "most focused" player(s)?? Do the Bruins employ a "Mental" Coach/Staff to help prepare for games/media/student life??

This is the 2nd instance of me hearing bad stuff from BD. The first was on his "Dance Preparations" on the G1 fumble return. Now this. As a senior/star/voice for this team, his demeanor -- on the field, on the sidelines, in the gym, and even in the dorms -- will help determine how focused this team is. But if he and other players have trouble maintaining their focus, it will eventually manifest in their preparations, in their executions, and in their poor results. I just hope they realize that before it's too late...

Where I was watching the game everyone's worst moment was the aforementioned 2nd and 2 that turned into a punt. It seemed that Norvell calle the same running play twice in a row and got stuffed twice in a row. And why was Bell not running like week 1??? He was like a man possessed against Stanford and average against BYU.

Bell was better than average on Saturday. He was responsible for all of our offense on the lone offensive touchdown of the first half. Bell has broken more tackles in one run than Markey has broken all season. I really like Markey, but he is running like he is hurt. Bell should be getting the majority of the carries.

regarding second-half play, both Brigham Harwell(knee) and Nikola Dragovic(concussion) were out for the second half...I'm guessing that may have had a bit(just a bit) of an impact with our D's performance(generally poor pass rush) in the second half.

In general,I think the safties need to do a better job of being in position to make plays. Horton should have knocked Collie's head off on their TD play off Trey. Trey did a great job in coverage overall but sooner or later they'll get caught unfavorably at times and need the safties' help.

6Year - I agree a sideline camera angle might have confirmed that there was no fumble, but is that UCLA or the Pac 10's responsibility or is that Versus? (BD - do you know who this falls on?) That said, to me, that is a bang-bang play that will usually be called a fumble on the field when a safety (Horton) is actively stripping the ball during the entire tackle. No replays confirmed otherwise, though they suggested otherwise - but that's not how calls are overturned.

On the other hand, the P.I. on Cowan was not a bang-bang play - clearly P.I. on the arm wrap followed by the jersey grab.

I agree with you on the quality of BYU, and it's a bit tiresome hearing the many Bruin perfectionists whining about the same garbage. Dorrel's demeanor, the play-calling, blah, blah. I watched the entire game last night again, UCLA definitely struggled in the 3rd quarter, but they dominated the first half and then in the 4th quarter they shut the door. Not a perfect game, but a good win, bottom line.