In Craft's words
Here is the transcript of Kevin Craft's post-afternoon practice chat with reporters after he was named UCLA's starting quarterback.
KEVIN CRAFT
On being named the starter
``Obviously, I'm really excited.''
On when Neuheisel told him
``He came out here this morning, or at the beginning of practice and let us all know.''
On if the move gave him more confidence
``You've just got to keep working hard and worry about yourself. Obviously, doing more reps with the 1s, that helps with your confidence. It helps with everything going on.''
On comparison with Mark Harmon, the last junior college quarterback to start a season-opener for UCLA
``It's nice to be in that company. Sounds like good history.''
On if UCLA is ready for the season-opener
I don't think we're where we want to be as a team. We just have maybe one guy here or there on every play (needing to know what to do), whether that's a lineman or quarterback or running back or whatever. As soon as you get some of that stuff smoothed out, I think we'll be clicking. Right now, as far as where I want to be, I feel comfortable with the offense it's just a matter of keep getting reps and understanding what's going on.
Why do you think Neuheisel made you the starting quarterback?
Understanding what's going on and what we're doing. Understanding the offense and managing it. Putting our team in the best position to win.
Does this help your confidence?
It does. You're working with the first team and you get it out of the way. You don't have to worry about it. It's the next step. Now, you've got to keep working hard and take responsibility for what's going on.
Does this mean you're more of a leader?
It's part of the quarterback's position. You've got to step up out here every day. We need somebody to step up when we're down and we need someone to get us going. I think it helps a little bit. Like I said before, if you're making big plays, guys rally around that sort of thing.
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About Inside UCLA
This is Brian Dohn's sixth season covering UCLA after spending 4 1/2 years covering the Dodgers for the Daily News and other Los Angeles Newspaper Group papers. He graduated from Rutgers, where the first college football game was played in 1869. Sure, the Scarlet Knights suffered for a long time, but now RU is doing what Jerseyans always thought was possible. Winning at Rutgers also proves winning is possible everywhere else in the nation, so underachieving coaches better be careful. Now, if only men's hoops can turn it around.
Craft actually knew who Mark Harmon was? That's impressive, since Harmon played before Craft was even born, and his name doesn't get thrown around as much as some of the other more well-known former Bruin football players.
I'm not surprised about Craft knowing who Mark Harmon is. Harmon's got a big time hit TV show on CBS, Navy CIS. Also, Craft grew up in football, as his dad was an outstanding small college quarterback and former head coach at SDSU. I'd bet that Craft knows more about the history of the game than most college players.