September 2008 Archives
In case you missed it, not only did Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin get fired, but former UCLA offensive line coach and offensive coordinator Tom Cable was named interim coach.
True freshman Tony Dye was UCLA's nickel back, replacing Courtney Viney as UCLA looks to improve its third-down defense.
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said practice was expectedly on the sloppy side with it being an installation day, but he was pleased with the effort and did not get the sense the Bruins were in any way, shape or form overlooking Washington State.
On the injury front, Neuheisel said receiver Marcus Everett (toe) was "doubtful" to play against Washington State. Tailback Aundre Dean (ankle) returned to practice after missing the last two games.
Also, starting left tackle Jeff Baca sat out practice with an illness, but Neuheisel said Baca should be back Wednesday. Micah Kia took over the reps with the first offense.
Starting right tackle Nick Ekbatani also took reps with the second team offense at center, a necessity since backup center/guard Micah Reed is out for a week or two with a torn MCL. Mike Harris took some reps at right tackle with the first team, but only because Ekbatani needed some rest.
From what I understand, UCLA coach Ben Howland is out on the recruiting road this week, seeing 2010 small forward prospect Harrison Barnes of Ames (Iowa) High and Turkish import Deniz Kilicli, a big man at Mountain State Academy in West Virginia.
Because the Bruins play Saturday night, UCLA's coaching staff will use Friday night as a day out recruiting. I should hear later in the week about UCLA's targets for this day out, but the reason the coaches are going out is because of timing.
With kickoff being 7:15 p.m., many of the team meetings will take place Saturday morning and afternoon, so it gives the assistants time to get away to watch games Friday.
Perhaps you saw it over the weekend, where UCLA researchers claimed to discover the largest prime number, something that is 13 million digits long.
Then, I was on campus Monday, and saw a sign for discounts in the student store based on the football game. Yes, a sign similar to the one I posted last week on the blog.
The deal is for two touchdowns, folks get 10 percent off on the Monday following a game. Three touchdowns, and folks gets 15 percent off, and it goes up to 25 percent off for five touchdowns.
Well, two of the signs I saw (didn't take a picture this time) posted the savings for the weekend's game was 20 percent.
Now, I wasn't a math major, but UCLA scored 31 points, which included three field goals and a two-point conversion for returning a blocked extra point. So, by my math, and from watching the game, UCLA scored three touchdowns ...worth 20 percent?
From what I'm hearing, Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley hoopster Michael Snaer, a guard, will visit UCLA this weekend and go to Kansas the weekend of Oct. 17 before making a decision.
UCLA will host at least one player on an official visit this weekend in Chris Hubbard from Columbus (Ga.) Carver High.
As for Hubbard, he has offers from Alabama-Birmingham, South Florida, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Duke and UCLA.
From what I'm hearing, it will hard to get Hubbard to leave the east coast.
Here is the notebook I wrote for today's paper, basically bringing up the question of whether or not UCLA needs a win badly, and how Washington State should be the elixir.
On a side note, people are emailing me about the health of Raymond Carter's knee, since he hasn't factored into the offense the last two games.
Just to re-iterate what I've reported several times in the last two weeks, Carter is healthy, and he has been for the last two games. But the coaching staff decided to give other running backs a try.
It is not pretty when it comes to the national rankings, and I'm not talking about UCLA.
Washington State, statistically speaking, is not good.
Here's a few tidbits:
The Cougars' only when is against Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) Portland State. The losses are to Oklahoma State (39-13), California (66-3), Baylor (45-17) and Oregon (63-14).
Also, out of 119 teams, the Cougars rank:
117th in scoring defense (44.4 ppg)
118 th in rushing defense (269 ypg)
106 th in total defense (436 ypg)
118 th in turnover margin (minus 2.6 per game)
92 nd in rushing offense (120.8 ypg)
96 th in total offense (322.4)
103 rd in scoring offense (19 ppg)
113 th in sacks allowed (3 per game)
Here is the audio of UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel's weekly press conference. It is about 15 minutes, and he talks about the play of center Jake Dean, the injury situation and getting ready for Washington State.
High speed
Neuheisel 929 presser high speed.wav
UCLA freshman running back Derrick Coleman is getting attention the last few days for fumbling near the goal line in the fourth quarter of Saturday's loss to Fresno State.
My guess is he will have no problem overcoming this, because he has overcome plenty in his life just to get to UCLA.
Here is a story I wrote on Coleman that ran on national signing day in February. I'm posting it again because football isn't on the minds of many folks in February, and I think Coleman's story is uplifting.
Injury updates from coach Rick Neuheisel:
WR Marcus Everett will return to practice but a decision whether he can play will be made later in the week.
LB Kyle Bosworth remains "a ways away'' from returning, according to Neuheisel.
Neuheisel said RB Aundre Dean (ankle) should back at practice Tuesday, as will TE Cory Harkey (ankle) and DE Korey Bosworth (elbow).
As far as personnel, Neuheisel said Micah Kia, who was the starting left tackle the first three games, could wind up being the backup tackle at both the right and left side because of the emergence of freshman left tackle Jeff Baca.
In talking about why running back Kahlil Bell was not in the game when Derrick Coleman fumbled in the fourth quarter, Neuheisel said it was a coach's decision because Bell (20 carries) already put in a lot of work in coming back from an ankle injury.
While Bell said he was ready to go, Neuheisel likened him to the Monty Python character who gets his arm cut off and states, "It's just a flesh wound."
As for the defense, Neuheisel said overall the unit is playing well, but "we hav e three to four big plays a game right now that are killing us."
UCLA running back Kahlil Bell met with the media today, and said the sprained ankle that kept him out the two previous games "actually feels a bit better than I thought it would."
He also said UCLA is "yet to put together a whole game," and that needs to happen.
And, for the first time, he acknowledged when he returned to the Washington State game last season, he did so with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. If you remember, Bell was injured on a run early, was examined on the sideline, and went back in a few plays later. He was injured on his first play back, and missed the rest of the season.
How bad does Vegas think Washington State is? UCLA opened as a 19-point favorite for Saturday's game as the Rose Bowl.
Here is my report card for UCLA's loss to Fresno State. Feel free to vote on what you think the grades should be.
UCLA's Oct. 11 football game at Oregon will kick off at 7:15 p.m. and be televised nationally by Fox Sports Net.
I know some folks recommended an offbeat Q&A session with a player each week. Questions like 'What's in your ipod, favorite cereal or whatever, and I'm thinking I could start it this week.
Please vote below if you want me to do that.
Also, post ONE question and give me the ONE player you would like to hear from this week, and that is how I will determine it. But please post the ONE question and ONE player by noon Wednesday.
I'm thinking of a quick-hitting 10 questions so folks can learn more about their favorite players.
Here is the notebook I wrote in today's paper in which UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel talks about the need to throw the ball down the field more, as well as other things about Saturday's loss.
Also, below is a comment from Bruins tailback Kahlil Bell, who was asked about freshman Derrick Coleman's fumble.
``No one on this football team should point to him, no one in this stadium should point to him, nobody affiliated with UCLA should point to him,'' Bell said. "There were so many opportunities for us to win this game, early in the game and at the end of the game. We just couldn't finish, couldn't capitalize. It's not just him. It's everybody. He'll be fine. He'll dust himself off. He's a young buck, he's got a lot of football left to play here and he's going to help this team out."
At 1-3 and riding a three-game losing streak, UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel was asked tonight whether he needs to remind his team not to overlook Washington State.
In case you missed it, Washington State (1-4) lost to Cal (66-3) and Oregon (63-14) at home in its two Pac-10 games.
"I don't think Washington State or UCLA can worry about overlooking somebody,'' UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said. "We're both trying to develop our programs, and obviously looked toward Saturday night as a huge opportunity to get that done."
Just got done talking to UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel, and he said he was encouraged how UCLA prepared and played against Fresno State.
"As long as they keep working like that, better things are on the horizon,'' he said.
As for the play of quarterback Kevin Craft, Neuheisel said "I think it might have been his best game. ...I'm hopeful his confidence grew.''
Hot-button talking points for the week will be a need to improve third-down conversions on offense, improvement on third down defense and to throw the ball down the field more.
Finally, he said an MRI showed offensive lineman Micah Reed has a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee, but it is not a severe tear. Reed will not play against Washington State, but could return the following week at Oregon.
UCLA fifth-year senior defensive tackle Brigham Harwell spoke about why the attitude after the loss to Fresno State was one of optimism.
"The offense is getting a lot better and we're getting better as a team," Harwell said. "The offense did well. We knew from pregame the offense was going to do a lot better, and they did a great job. They took a huge step forward. They took like 10 steps forward this game, and we know this team is coming together. You can feel it."
UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow spoke about quarterback Kevin Craft's performance, and how much better he played than previous weeks.
"He managed the game really well and that's what a quarterback is supposed to do," Chow said. "He did a nice job."
Craft was 11 of 20 for 150 yards, and also ran for 46 yards.
UCLA increased its confidence measurably along the offensive line by rushing for 234 yards on 38 carries, for an average of 6.2 yards per try.
There were some circumstances with it, like quarterback Kevin Craft's scrambling (46 rushing yards) and the Bruins catching Fresno State by surprise utilizing running back Derrick Coleman with a direct snap a few times, one of which led to a 44-yard run.
However, the line also got its best surge of the season.
"I just think it's coaching," UCLA center Jake Dean said. "Norm Chow is the best offensive coordinator in college football. (Offensive line) Coach (Bob) Palcic works us every week, and is getting the best out of it. It's slowly coming along. ...We'll build off this game and try to come out and do better against Washington State next week."
I talked to several players about the large contingent of Fresno State fans at the game, and how upon coming out of the tunnel before the game the Bruins looked into the north end zone, which was a sea of red.
"I don't like red,'' UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price said. "I'm like a bull out there. In the paper (Fresno coach Pat Hill) said he was going to paint the Rose Bowl red, so they brought a lot of fans. I was ready for it."
Bruins linebacker Reggie Carter was more diplomatic.
"I know Fresno isn't that far so I was expecting to see a lot of Fresno fans," Carter said. "They had that whole end zone. But to, it doesn't matter if it was blue, purple, pink; I was still going to play the same way."
It wasn't a surprise when UCLA defensive tackle lined up at fullback for a few short-yardage plays since the Bruins first practiced it during training camp. However, Price, who also had an interception, said he enjoyed playing on the offensive side.
"I was already prepared for it,'' Price said. "I"m going to wait for them to call it again so I can do it again."
I will have more stuff from UCLA's loss throughout the day, as well as an update from Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel, after he watches film with the staff today.
Here is the game story and the notebook I wrote, the side bar from Ramona Shelburne and Steve Dilbeck's column.
One thing I found interesting after the game was the good mood of many of the players. I'm still trying to figure out if it is because they felt good about some positives after two poor performances, or if there is something more to it.
UCLA lost 36-31 to Fresno State, but it didn't keep Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel from grabbing the microphone and addressing the crowd afterward.
"We're going to keep fighting,'' Neuheisel said. "We're going to come back next week and get you a win. I promise you we're getting better."
Of course, Neuheisel knows UCLA hosts Washington State next week, and the Cougars are not a very good team.
After losing at home to Oregon today by a 63-14 score, the Cougars are 1-4, including 0-2 in the Pac-10. They have been outscored 129-17 by Oregon and Cal, and 213-47 against Division I-A (or whatever it's now called) teams. Their only win was against Portland State.
Bruins offensive lineman Micah Reed has a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee, bu the severity of it will not be known until an MRI is performed Sunday. Reed missed the last game with a partial tear of his MCL in his right knee.
Other than that, it was a benign injury day for the Bruins. Defensive end Korey Bosworth hyper-extended his left elbow, but returned to play.
Just got back from the locker room after UCLA's 36-31 loss to Fresno State and it wasn't as bad as you might have expected. The general sentiment was one of frustration, but not dejection. Most of the players said they were happy that progress was made, that the offense showed signs of life, and that the Bruins put themselves in position to win.
Still, ending the way it did, with the defense unable to get the Bulldogs off the field on the final drive, which ate up almost nine minutes off the clock, was tough to swallow.
Defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker called it ``humiliating.''
``It's unfortunate,'' he said. ``We wasted a pretty good performance by our offense.''
I have to give a lot of credit to freshman running back Derrick Coleman, who stood in front of his locker answering question after question about his fumble in the fourth quarter.
``I didn't have security of the ball and they hit it out from me,'' Coleman said. ``All I know is the ball came out and I should've had control of it. ...It's disappointing. We had the win in our reach. But we're all still healthy, we got a game next week, and we're going to get ready for it.''
UCLA decided to accept a holding penalty on that last scoring drive, effectively choosing 3rd-and-22 from the 25 over 4th-and-2 from the 13 yard line.
Umm, it didn't work.
Fresno State punched it in with a 25-yard pass play to go up 30-22.
Any thoughts?
Terrence Austin's 195 yards of yardage on kickoff returns breaks a 30-year old single-game school record. The previous record was 188 yards by Theotis Brown in 1978 against Stanford
That doesn't include the 102-yard kickoff return Austin had at the beginning of the game, which was called back due to a penalty on Adam Heater.
Offensive lineman Micah Reed has a sprained left knee and will not return to the game. His previous knee injury was to his right knee.
In case you missed it, the UCLA and Fresno State just performed a halftime show together to disco music.
Is it me, or does it feel like UCLA could be up by two touchdowns in this game? UCLA's offense has been able to move the ball --234 total yards on 40 plays, 19 points -- but has come up short on some critical third down (and one fourth down) plays.
Fresno has been remarkably efficient, doing all it's damage offensively in just 10 minutes and 47 seconds.
Fresno 20, UCLA 19 at the half
Defensive lineman Brian Price is back out there this drive after leaving the previous series with an injury.
Looks like he can play with it. Korey Bosworth (shoulder) back out on the field for the start of this drive.
UPDATE: Or maybe not. Bosworth was not out there for Fresno's last drive, but did come on to the field for the extra point attempt. His left elbow is heavily taped.
Korey Bosworth suffered a shoulder injury. Not sure of the severity yet. We'll update soon.
UCLA has scored as many offensive touchdowns in this half as it has in its previous three games
Defensive end Korey Bosworth was not in the game on the play that Fresno's Ryan Matthews just took for a 49-yard touchdown run.
Bosworth left with an apparent injury on the previous play, Reggie Stokes replaced him.
Fresno State leads 13-10 after fumbling its 2-point conversion attempt. Any theories on why the Bulldogs decided to go for 2 are welcome?
Micah Reed, who started the season at center, played right guard in place of Scott Glicksberg on UCLA's scoring drive.
UCLA leads 10-7 on Kai Forbath's 25-yard field goal with 14:21 to go in the second quarter.
In case you're wondering, UCLA is 23-2 when it wins the turnover battle over the last five seasons. The Bruins defense comes up big again as Tom Blake just tipped Tom Brandstater's pass and Brian Price intercepted it.
After 27 possessions without a touchdown, UCLA's offense punches one in. Kahlil Bell scores on a 1-yard run to cap an impressive 65-yard, seven-play drive and answer Fresno's opening score. Bell had five carries for 29 yards on the drive.
Hey folks. Ramona Shelburne here with you today, pinch-hitting for Jill Painter.
I was going to post something at the start of the game asking for pre-game predictions but seeing as how we've already seen a 14-point swing in the first minute of the game, that's probably not a good idea.
To review, in case you tuned in late to the game, Terrence Austin took the opening kick off back for what would've been a 102-yard touchdown, except that it was called back because of a penalty on Adam Heater. The Bruins then went three and out on offense, punted the ball to Fresno State's Marlon Moore, who returned it for a 63-yard touchdown to stake Fresno State to an early 7-0 lead.
Scouts from the Miami Dolphins, Houston Texas, New England Patriots Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons are expected to attend.
Some folks were wondering about UCLA changing its kickoff specialist, but I was told after the last practice Jimmy Rotstein will continue to kickoff. Freshman Jeff Locke did a lot of the kickoffs in Thursday's practice, but was inconsistent and drew the ire of special teams coach Frank Gansz Jr.
Also, Rotstein also out-kicked field goal kicker Kai Forbath in practice.
Got to the Rose Bowl and bit ago, and I was stunned at the number of folks in the parking lot wearing red and sporting Fresno State gear.
I know UCLA officials said no way will the Bulldogs bring 20,000 fans, like their coach, Pat Hill said, so maybe it is just an early-arriving crowd. That said, though, I don't recall any game (other than USC) where I saw that many opposing folks this early.
How important is stopping the run against Fresno State?
"They love to run the ball,'' UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said. "Coach Hill believes in the running game, and with an experienced quarterback, they have a nice combination there. They have some diversity, but primarily inside (the tackles) stuff.''
I'm hearing these recruits are expected at today's UCLA game:
2009 recruits
LB Jayson Allmond, Bloomington High
QB Richard Brehaut, Los Osos High (UCLA commit)
OL Gregory Capella, El Diamante High (UCLA commit)
OTGed Carrington, Pierce Community College
TE Chris Coyle, Oaks Christian High (Arizona State commit)
S Nathan Fellner, Clovis West High
LB Todd Golper , Arcadia High (UCLA commit)
RB Patrick Hall, St. Bonaventure High (USC commit)
OT Michael Philipp, Arroyo Valley High
OT Charles Siddoway, Sheldon High (official visit)
2010 recruits
RB Anthony Barr, Loyola High
LB Hayes Pullard, Crenshaw High
LB Zachary Stout, Oaks Christian High
OL Mustaffa Vercher, Natomas High
OL Patrick Webster, Mission Viejo High
DE Rykeem Yates, Edison High
OT John Young, Loyola High
Here is a feature/game preview I wrote on UCLA quarterback Kevin Craft and the need for him to play relaxed, as well as a notebook about stopping Fresno State's running game, and injury updates on quarterbacks Ben Olson and Nick Crissman.
As a side light, Bruins freshman quarterback Kevin Prince took reps with the first-team offense during Thursday's practice, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him play if the Bruins offense has trouble scoring again.
Also, the preview capsule is below:
Folks, thanks again for all the questions. I hope the answers were helpful and entertaining. I'll have pregame coverage, as well as coverage during after after Saturday's game with Fresno State, so check back.
Now, onto the last set of questions for this week:
What does everyone thing about Saturday's game. After watching the teams play the last few weeks, I've changed my original thinking and I am going with:
Fresno State 24, UCLA 17
I wrote a feature on UCLA safety Rahim Moore that ran in Thursday's paper, and it touched on his deep religious beliefs.
However, Moore said he balances being a hard-hitting safety with his faith.
"I'm not out there to injure anybody, but I am real hard core when it comes to the football field,'' Moore said. "If something happens, I'm going to pray for him.
"I'm going to lay him out. I don't want to hurt them, but I want to lay them down.''
Just to let everyone know what was already reported last week, that Sylmar High foward Tyler Honeycutt, who recently committed to UCLA, and Windward High of Los Angeles center Anthony Stover, who is a hot UCLA target, will be on official visits this weekend.
Here is the notebook I wrote for today's paper, which includes athletic director Dan Guerrero saying UCLA's newspaper and radio ads in Fresno were pulled, and he will take a more active role in marketing the football program.
Also, here is what Guerrero said about the marketing department:
"When you look at the charges of our marketing department, one of them is to generate revenue,'' he said. "We marketed like heck to get UCLA fans into the Rose Bowl, not only for this game, but every other game. Their intent was to try to fill the seats, right wrong or indifferent. It was about generating revenue that comes back to our program to help us support our kids.
"This particular campaign has been more outside of the box than the norm or what we do. We'll evaluate it and decide whether that's the best approach.''
UCLA's two straight losses by a combined 90-10 score did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the Q&A segment. I will have 16 sets of answers today.
Now, onto the first set:
One more thing about the ads. UCLA AD Dan Guerrero told me tonight it was his understanding the controversial ads, both newspaper and radio, in Fresno were pulled.
In light of UCLA's recent marketing approach, including taking out newspaper and radio ads trying to lure Fresno State fans to the Rose Bowl for Saturday's game against UCLA, Bruins athletic director Dan Guerrero told me tonight he will take a more active role in the marketing program.
I will have more on it in Friday's paper.
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said freshman tailback Aundre Dean (ankle) would not be ready this week, but it was expected he would return for next week's game against Washington State.
UCLA just finished its last practice getting ready for Fresno State, and coach Rick Neuheisel said there was good news on the injury front.
He said running back Kahlil Bell would play after missing the last two games because of a sprained ankle.
Also, Neuheisel said center Micah Reed (knee) and tight end Cory Harkey (ankle) would be available.
UCLA football keeps plugging along with recruiting, and this week will host Sheldon High of Eugene (Ore.) offensive tackle Charles Siddoway on an official visit.
Just got word that UCLA fullback Trevor Theriot is done for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He has already red-shirted, so he will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Fresno State has cornered the market on good special teams play under Pat Hill. Since he took over as coach in 1997, the Bulldogs have scored 32 touchdowns on special teams. And since 2002, Fresno State has the most blocked kicks - 40 - in college football. This will pose quite a challenge for the Bruins, who have struggled to make tackles on special teams. A.J. Jefferson has returned nine kicks for 287 yards - a 31.9 yards per return average (including one for 73 yards).
UCLA has offered a scholarship to 6-foot-6, 265-pound offensive tackle Taylor Lewan of Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral High. He has offers from a bunch of schools, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Oregon and Nebraska.
Here is the story I wrote about UCLA's decision to market Saturday's game against Fresno State in the Central Valley, and to Fresno State fans.
This is the excerpt of the radio ad UCLA purchased to play in Frenso:
"Bulldog fans. Don't miss your chance to see history. The Bulldogs are ranked in the top 25 and heading south this weekend looking for their first-ever win at the Rose Bowl against the Bruins of UCLA. ...We'll see you and the 'Dogs at the Rose Bowl."
Also, below are two advertisements. The first one ran in the Fresno Bee. The other one ran in the Daily News.
Brigham Harwell remembers watching UCLA's last game against Fresno State in which Fresno State beat UCLA 17-9 in the Silicon Valley Classic. Harwell was a high school senior who already commited to UCLA.
``I was at a hotel and I was watching with Aaron Perez when we were at the California Bowl,'' Harwell said. ``It was so disappointing. I was so eager to come help this team out.''
about Trevor Theriot's right knee injury is that last night he walked off campus in a knee brace and on crutches. Rick Neuheisel said after Wednesday's practice that he hoped Theriot's injury wasn't serious, but Theriot was down on the practice field for a while when injured trying to catch a pass out of the backfield. Also, it was revealed later that he had a sprained MCL and X-Ray results are still pending.
I will have more on this is Thursday's paper, but not did UCLA take out a quarter-page ad in the Fresno Bee promoting UCLA's game with Fresno State at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, but the school also bought radio time.
Now, when I talked to UCLA officials, they first said the ads targeted Bruins fans in the Central Valley.
Here is the radio spot UCLA bought. What does everyone think:
UCLA radio promo.mp3
I've attached a copy of a feature story I wrote on Pat Hill in 2001. Yes, the story was written seven years ago, but I think it still provides some insight into Hill and his philosophies for those who might be interested.
``Pat's done a great job,'' Rick Neuheisel said. ``I think he uses a chip on his shoulder as a way of motivating his troops. It's worked a lot of times. I know he's using it again this week. Our guys have to have an equal chip. We have to make sure we understand the intensity that's going to exist on that field.''
There were two more skirmishes at practice today, one involving Jess Ward and walkon Justin Mann and another at the end of practice.
``It's all part of it,'' Rick Neuheisel said. ``You've got to be smart. You can't be cheap-shotting. When you get after it and you get physical, yeah, it's a natural byproduct.''
Trevor Theriot has sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. He was on his way to get an MRI after practice. Doesn't look good, which means Chane Moline probably will get the start at fullback.
Kahlil Bell did a little work Wednesday but certainly not as much as Tuesday's workload. Rick Neuheisel said he thought Bell would be fine to go Saturday. Also, Trevor Theriot limped off the practice field with an apparent knee injury. Neuheisel said he hoped Theriot's injury was nothing serious but if it is, Chane Moline will start at fullback.
It is that time of week again, folks. Send in the questions by 8 a.m. Friday, and I will post the answers throughout the day. Again, keep the questions on the shorter side.
From now on, any question I deem too long (approximately 50 words or more) will not get answered.
Westwood Bruin Touchdown Club Breakfast
Friday, Sept. 26 -- 7 am
Olympic Collection (Olympic and Sawtelle)
Coach DeWayne Walker, defensive coordinator
Key UCLA football players including:
Terrence Austin, receiver
Reggie Carter, linebacker
UCLA cheerleaders
Free parking
Cost $28
For reservations call Claudia Hart @ 310-348-UCLA
I'm told from UCLA officials that 70,000-75,000 is expected for Saturday's game against Fresno State, but coach Pat Hill's belief 20,000 Fresno State fans will be there is news to them.
Instead, UCLA officials said Fresno State sold 9,700 tickets, and a few thousand more Fresno State fans could find their way inside the stadium.
Here is the link to today's notebook, which discusses running back Kahlil Bell's return to practice, as well as a few other tidbits.
Here is what Bell had to say about the health of his ankle.
"It felt good in the beginning,'' Bell said. "As I started to warm down, when we had 15 minute special teams period, it kind of stiffened up. But Rome wasn't built in a day. I'm trying to get ready for Saturday, not Tuesday's practice.''
Here is the link to a story in today's Fresno Bee about UCLA marketing to draw in more Fresno State fans. This is what caught my eye:
UCLA placed the quarter-page ad in The Bee to try to sell the remaining tickets. Headlines in the ad said: "Fresno State vs. UCLA" and below it "So you can say 'I was there,' " accompanied by a photograph of a packed Rose Bowl and ticket information.
"We talked to Fresno State about it to make sure they understood what we were attempting to achieve," he said. "We thought it was a good idea because we had available seats to sell."
Here's a few tidbits that I've been getting asked about, so I thought I would clear up.
--Running back Raymond Carter was healthy and ready for the game against Arizona. I talked to him after the game, and he said his lack of playing time was a coach's decision.
--Tailbacks Kahlil Bell and Derrick Coleman did, indeed, get into a scuffle during Tuesday's practice. It's not that these things happen all the time, but it's not uncommon, either. I was there when Bell was talking about it after practice, and he said all the right things about it being competition and sometimes emotions get the best of a player.
To me, it is much ado about nothing. I found it to be worth nothing more than one line at the end of my notebook.
--I keep forgetting to mention this, but Chinonso Anyanwu has moved back to defensive end after spending a month at linebacker. It happened a few weeks ago, but I kept forgetting to bring it up.
Here is the audio of UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel's meeting with the media following Tuesday's practice:
High speed
Neuheisel 923 high speed.wav
Dialup
Neuheisel 923 dailup.mp3
UCLA returned to practice, and the only change among the starters was true freshman Jeff Baca playing left tackle. And junior Micah Kia, who said he had a back injury, ran with the second team.
Quarterback Kevin Craft took the first team reps, and the mantra continues to be that he has all the knowledge in his head, but needs to slow down on the field. That was, again, the message from offensive coordinator Norm Chow and coach Rick Neuheisel.
Running back Kahlil Bell practiced, and afterward admitted his ankle was sore, but he is still expected to play.
Tight end Cory Harkey (ankle) had his left foot in a walking boot, but Neuheisel labeled him day-to-day.
Center Micah Reed (knee) and receiver Marcus Everett (toe) went through individual drills, but are not expected to play against Fresno State.
One interesting thing to me about this game, and what folks think of UCLA, is the betting line opened at Fresno State -3.5 and is already up to Fresno State -7.
A reader sent me this link, so I thought I would pass it along. It's a fun quick-hitter with UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow.
I was in the UCLA bookstore Monday and saw this advertisement, and I couldn't help but chuckle. Something tells me the bookstore won't be losing out on loads of money based on this promotion, given UCLA's offense.
Here is the audio of UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel's weekly segment during the Pacific-10 conference call:
High speed
Pac-10 conference call high speed.wav
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel re-iterated today what he said Sunday, that tailback Kahlil Bell (ankle) is expected to play against Fresno State.
"I'm not sure he'll be 100 percent, but we're going to give him a shot," Neuheisel said.
Here is the notebook from today's paper, which deals with UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel telling freshman QB Kevin Prince to warm up in case the staff decided to change quarterbacks.
I'll have more on this is Tuesday's paper, but in the fourth quarter of Saturday's loss to Arizona, Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel told backup quarterback Kevin Prince to warmup.
I'll have more on it in Tuesday's paper, but UCLA has failed to score an offensive touchdown in back-to-back games for the first time in 44 years.
Here is the audio of UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel's Monday press conference. It is approximately 15 minutes long.
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Neuheisel's presser high speed.wav
UCLA's game against Washington State on Oct. 4 at the Rose Bowl will kickoff at 7:15 pm and will be televised by FSN Prime Ticket.
Talking about UCLA's offense, which is injured and inexperienced, UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said "I still think we can craft an offense."
The Bruins haven't scored an offensive touchdown in two games, and have two in three games this season.
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel held his weekly press conference and here are some tidbits:
Neuheisel re-iterated the need to perform better on punt return coverage, which includes better tackling, and "more hang time on punts."
TE Cory Harkey is in a walking boot because of a sprained ankle. His MRI is today, and his status for Fresno State remains up in the air.
About Fresno State, Neuheisel said, "They're street tough. They're the kind of team that embodies their coach."
Neuheisel said UCLA will "try to do everything we can" to red-shirt tailback Johnathan Franklin.
Neuheisel said linebacker Kyle Bosworth (knee) and receiver Marcus Everett (toe) aren't expected to be ready this week.
UCLA receiver Terrence Austin met with the media today, and said some of the problems with the offense were receivers running routes at the wrong depth -- "a couple times that happened,'' he said -- and also quarterback Kevin Craft making some poor decisions.
He said mistakes are being made because "guys are young" and "you're going to have mistakes."
He said his muffed punt was a result of not getting his feet underneath him, and having his hands in the wrong position.
He added "we still have the confidence" UCLA can win the Pacific-10 championship this season.
Here is my report card for UCLA's 31-10 loss to Arizona. Feel free to vote your own grades.
From what I'm hearing, UCLA is in the process of scouring the junior college ranks to see if there are any players available to help them upgrade the talent.
I'm hearing the staff is getting a bunch of film in from across the nation to evaluate the talent, and see which players could qualify academically to get into UCLA. And, yes, I believe the offensive and defensive lines are target areas.
UCLA hoops is looking at a big man, Deniz Kilicli, from Mountain State Academy in West Virginia. Here is a story from The Register-Herald in Beckley, West Virginia, talking about Kilicli.
Fresno State will come to the Rose Bowl on Saturday to face UCLA without the services of its top defensive lineman. Jon Monga will miss at least three games because of a knee injury.
Here is the notebook I wrote that was in today's paper, with UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel talking about the shortcomings of the offense and also an injury update.
Neuheisel also talked Sunday night about UCLA's problems converting third downs. The Bruins were 4 for 17 against Arizona, and are 15 for 46 on the season.
"Our third down efficiency on offense is a real problem, especially when we had so many third-and-shorts," Neuheisel said. "I think we had six third-and-1s, 2s or 3s, and converted one time and five (third-and) 4, 5 or six and converted one time. That's a place where we have to make measured improvement as we go forward."
So what happens if the players are not capable of performing better? I asked UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel that question tonight.
"I think you have to continue to believe there's an answer,'' Neuheisel said. "You have to keep coaching and preaching and getting through to these youngsters that good things are going to happen as long as they'll keep coming to work and giving everything they have.
"We're not throwing in the towel on the season. This is not a point toward the future, waving of the flag. That isn't the case. We still believe we can become a team that can be successful, and we're going to keep staying the course, and keep working hard, and make sure the players realize that everybody is accountable. Not just players, coaches alike.''
I asked UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel tonight about the quarterback situation, and whether Kevin Craft will remain the starter, or if the coaching staff would look in another direction.
"If we think that there's another way to go that gives us a better chance to win, then we'll do that, Neuheisel said. "Until that, we're going to keep putting our faith in Kevin.''
By the way, he said Craft remains the guy at quarterback.
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said all positions are open for competition, but right now Kevin Craft remained the starting quarterback, and there is no plan to make a change.
"I believe he's capable," Neuheisel said.
He added Ben Olson would likely not be available until mid-October, at the earliest.
As for a few things from Saturday's loss to Arizona, he said UCLA's punt coverage was "woeful" and the third down conversions for the offense "is a real problem."
He said the offensive line and running backs had to pass protect better so Craft can take some shots down the field.
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said he expected tailback Kahlil Bell and receiver Nelson Rosario to be ready for Saturday's game against Fresno State.
He added tight end Cory Harkey will have an MRI Monday on a sprained ankle, and left tackle Micah Kia will be examined about a doctor because of a back injury.
UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker said before the season he wanted to see improvement form his defense in quick change of possession situations, but that hasn't happened yet.
BYU scored three touchdowns off three second-quarter turnovers, and Arizona was able to take advantage of short fields to score its first three touchdowns.
"That's been a weakness for us, ever since we've been here," said Walker, in his third season. "That's an area that I know, as coaches, we have to look at. We've got to do something about that, and help these guys with short fields."
Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowski made quite a season debut with a pair of touchdown catches against the Bruins, beating senior safety Bret Lockett both times.
One came on a 22-yard pass to the front corner of the end zone, and another was on a 4-yard slant.
"i thought both times (Lockett) had good coverage," UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker said. "You've got to make a play. Being close is no good. Those are some of the things that we'll go back and look at. I know last week I thought it helped when we went back and watched the whole tape as a defense, so we'll do the same thing (today).
"It'll take three hours, but I don't care. Each coach will critique their guy, and we're going to continue to get better."
UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow was asked if he believed the offense lacked confidence.
"We went two games with one field goal. We need to keep working," Chow said. "I don't see (a lack of confidence). I don't sense that. I see our guys working awfully hard. There's nothing we can do but come back (today) and keep working.
"We are who we are. We have the players we have, and we're just going to have to go forward and be specific in what we want. Just keep working. It's going to happen. One of these days we're going to be champions, and in order to be champions you have to go through some tough times."
Part of UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel's postgame speech to the team, according to some of the players, included an anecdote about the 1983 Bruins. Neuheisel was the quarterback of that Rose Bowl-winning team, which began the season 0-3-1.
"I don't want to start off 0-3-1, and hopefully we won't,'' UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price said. "We'll get together with our fellow teammates and continue to work hard. Everyone is working hard out there. I don't know what is going on."
The 1983 season began with an 11-point loss at No. 15 Georgia, a tie against Arizona, a 32-point loss at No. 1 Nebraska and a two-point loss at BYU.
Of course, that team was able to score points, and average 28.1 per game. The Bruins' offense has 20 points (in regulation) in three games.
As I reported in today's paper, I'm hearing let tackle Micah Kia will be replaced this week by freshman Jeff Baca. Kia said he came out of Saturday's game because of a back injury, but I'm hearing the back is not the reason for the chance.
That said, Kia said he notices Baca is talented.
"Baca is an extremely capable backup, and he did a wonderful job," Kia said. "He did a really great job, and played solid."
UCLA offensive guard Scott Glicksberg said playing harder and tougher may fix what ails an offense that has not scored a touchdown in eight quarters.
"It's a proven scheme," Glicksberg said. "We just need to work on our toughness. We need to get tougher, mentally tougher."
Glicksberg said that was the message to the team from the coaching staff following the loss to Arizona.
"(Offensive line) Coach (Bob) Palcic has been hammering us on run blocking and pass blocking, equally," Glicksberg said. "He's a great coach, and he's not changing. I think it's a combination of everything. A lot of it falls on the offensive line, but it's everybody. Everybody has to step up collectively and start making plays."
I will have more game reaction this afternoon from Saturday's loss, and will talk with coach Rick Neuheisel tonight about possible personnel changes for next week.
For now, though, here is my ballot for the Harris Poll, which is used in the BCS standings.
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel was asked about the team's morale after being out-scored 90-10 the last two weeks, and with the offense unable to score a touchdown in that span.
"In losing the last two games, it has gotten away from us," he said. "In the BYU game, it was early. And in this game (against Arizona), it was in the fourth quarter. This is where you find out your mettle. Those who stay and continue to work will be rewarded. This is what you do in life when you get dealt a tough card. You face it and you keep moving.
"Don't hide and make excuses. Just throw up your sleeves and get the work done."
Folks, it was not pretty for the Bruins on Saturday. In fact, it was horrible, from an offensive and special teams standpoint. It was so bad, coach Rick Neuheisel thanked the fans for not booing.
"I appreciate our fans for staying," Neuheisel said. "It must have been hard to watch as we were trying to climb back into the game, and yet there was very little in the way of booing. It showed a lot of class."
Here is coverage from Saturday's game:
My game story and notebook, Jill Painter's side bar and Steve Dilbeck's column.
Jeff Baca, Derrick Coleman and Datone Jones all played for the first time in their careers. UCLA has now used 11 true freshmen this season.
UCLA plays Fresno State next Saturday at the Rose Bowl. If you want to make your own scouting report on the Bulldogs, they're playing Toledo on ESPNU right now. Game is tied at 7.
Ben Olson was not at Saturday's game for personal reasons. His absence was cleared by UCLA. Also, Cory Harkey played with a left ankle injury and John Hale suffered a left ankle injury as well.
UCLA hasn't scored an offensive touchdown since the fourth quarrter of its overtime win over Tennesssee.
If you're looking for the offense to improve, consider what offensive coordinator Norm Chow said.
``We are who we are,'' Chow said. ``We have the players we have ... we just have to keep working.''
The game is over - although not officially for another 6:48. Arizona leads 31-10. Thoughts on the game?
Arizona scored again on a 4-yard TD pass from Willie Tuitama to tight end Rob Gronkowski. The Wildcats lead 24-10 with 12:33 left. This is the second time Bret Lockett was on the coverage when Arizona scored.
Alterraun Verner just broke up what would've been a big pass play for Arizona early in the third quarter. He seems to be rebounding quite nicely from his poor game at BYU.
UCLA ran the ball 16 times for 71 yards in the first half. If you know anything about UCLA's running game, that's a marked improvement.
UCLA's defense allowed 190 yards.
UCLA is down just 17-10 at halftime. UCLA finally put together an 11-play, 64-yard drive to end the first half. Kai Forbath kicked a 35-yard field goal to put UCLA within seven points.
Arizona was fourth-and-1 on UCLA's 22-yard line and Mike Stoops elected to go for it instead of kicking the field goal with 4:31 left in the first half. The Bruins are now marching down the field, thanks in large part to Chane Moline's 40-yard run, by far the longest of the season.
UCLA's last three possessions have gone three and out. This means the defense is on the field WAY too much, and Aaron Perez is getting a lot of work. Perez has punted five times in the first half, and there's 8:13 left in the second quarter.
Nic Grigsby just walked into the end zone on a 3-yard rushing touchdown to put Arizona ahead 17-7 early in the second quarter. That was too easy for the Wildcats.
Bret Lockett was on the coverage on Arizon'as 22-yard touchdown pass from Willie Tuitama to tight end Rob Gronkowski. Last week, Alterraun Verner was burned by BYU receiver Austin Collie throughout the game. Arizona leads, 10-7.
The Bruins have forced Arizona deep in its own territory on the last two series, and it paid off in the form of a defensive touchdown. Nic Grigsby was stripped by Reggie Carter and Korey Bosworth recovered for the touchdown. UCLA leads 7-3 late in the first quarter.
Derrick Coleman, as expected, just had his first carry for the Bruins. It went for 2 yards. Coleman received the bulk of the carries in practice, so it was no surprise the true freshman - playing in his first game - is involved early.
UCLA's Chane Moline had a 9-yard run in the first series, which was the Bruins' longest rush of the season.
Arizona leads, 3-0.
Just got word in the press box running back Chane Moline will start for UCLA, and the coaches are still deciding whether Kahlil Bell will play.
Also, was told Johnathan Franklin not dressing was a coach's decision, and means Franklin will likely red-shirt.
UCLA tailback Khalil Bell is going through pregame warmups and looks to be moving ok. He missed last week's game with an ankle injury, and is considered a game-time decision.
However, tailbacks Johnathan Franklin and Aundre Dean are not dressed for the game. Dean has a sprained ankle, so that is not a surprise. However, Franklin not dressing is somewhat of a surprise to me, and I am checking on why he is not dressed.
Also, defensive tackle Jerzy Siewierski is not dressed. He was suffering from a sore neck, which knocked him out early in last week's game at BYU.
Steve Sloan will play middle linebacker in UCLA's base defense because of the injury to Kyle Bosworth, which forced Reggie Carter to move from the middle to the weakside. It will the first extended action of Sloan's career, but I asked him if he will look to Carter for help in making the defensive calls.
"It's always helpful to have him there,'' Sloan said. "I know the defense. We're always in the same meetings, so I think I have it all down. If I need help, he's there."
Carter said he would not try to tell Sloan what adjustments to make while the defense was lining up.
"You probably can, but it's hard," Carter said. "You don't want to have two players screaming to the defense at once because he could be saying something, I could be saying something different.''
Here is what UCLA offensive lineman Brandon Bennett said about a week's worth of chatter about how poor the running game is peforming.
"It's a little fuel,'' Bennett said. "We have to come out hard in the run game. And the passing game as well. We have to work hard to be a good offensive line because we have so much stuff backed up against us, like last in the run game. It's really fuel for your fire.''
Hey, folks, I'm getting ready to head out to the Rose Bowl, but wanted to post the last set of answers. Thanks, again, for all the questions and the interest. It makes it enjoyable knowing this many people care. Here they are, set No. 21:
Here is the preview and the notebook I wrote for today's paper, and the preview capsule that is not available online:
If anything else happens tonight, I will post it. Also, I will have at least one set of answers tomorrow morning, as well as some pregame stuff. Also, check back during and after the game for info. Thanks for all the questions this week, and now onto the final set of answers for today:
Wowzers folks. We are winding toward the end of today's segment. One more set of answers will follow, but here is No. 19:
Word from UCLA is Scott Glicksberg will start at right guard ahead of Sonny Tevaga and Brandon Bennett. Tevaga started the first two games, and Bennett ran with the first unit much of the week, but Glicksberg took over on Thursday.
Glicksberg started the season opener against Tennessee at left guard.
UCLA is trying to organize it's official visits for hoops this fall, and word I'm hearing is Rice (New York) guard Durant Scott could be visiting Westwood the weekend of Oct. 11.
I'm also hearing some locals are trying to finalize visits:
Center Anthony Stover is looking to visit the weekends of either Sept. 27 or Oct. 4.
Recent commit Tyler Honeycutt, a forward, is supposed to visit next weekend.
The Bruins continue to recruit guard Michael Snaer, and are trying to work out an official visit.
As a side note, I'm hearing class of 2010 commits Tyler Lamb and Kendall Williams will be at Saturday's football game as will 6-10 sophomore Kyle Caudill of Brea Olinda.
Folks, I hope you don't have a lot of work to do today, because for the next four or five hours, a set of answers will be posted about every 30 to 40 minutes. As I said earlier, I will post 20 sets of answers today, and here is the seventh set:
Yes, it's Q&A day, but I thought I would throw out a little basketball recruiting.
I'm hearing UCLA is interested in Grace Prep Academy (Arlington, Texas) shooting guard Nick Russell. Although he has not been offered by UCLA, I'm hearing Bruins coach Ben Howland could be visiting Texas next week.
Russell has offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt and Texas Tech, where he is scheduled to visit this weekend. The Bruins have not offered Russell.
Back to some answers, and here is the fifth group:
I'm hearing UCLA is expecting more than 70 recruits to be on unofficial visits and take in Bruins' game Saturday at the Rose Bowl against Arizona.
Also, from what I'm hearing, these are some of the high profile kids expected to be in attendance:
2009 class
TE/LB Marlion Barnett (Santiago ), MLB Jordan Barrett (Notre Dame), CB Nat Berhe (Colton), CB Bernard Bolden (Merced), DT Justin Brown (Compton), OL Jamaal Burrell (Dominguez), LB Marquise Cox (John W. North), Stanford commit TE Zac Ertz (Monte Vista), DE Sullivan Grosz (San Joaquin Memorial), USC commit S Patrick Hall (Saint Bonaventure), RB Daniel Jenkins (Rancho Verde), CB Sean Martin (Santiago), OL Michael Philipp (Arroyo Valley), Miami commit TE Billy Sanders (Lake City, Idaho), DT Will Sutton (Centennial), S Lester White (John W. North), LB Walter Woods (Palmdale)
UCLA commits for 2009
LB Isaiah Bowens (Bishop Amat), Richard Brehaut (Los Osos), LB Todd Golper (Arcadia), WR Ricky Marvray (Centennial), CB Sheldon Price (Bishop Amat)
2010 class
QB Brandon Connette (Santiago), OL Erik Kohler (Oaks Christian), LB Hayes Pullard (Crenshaw), DE Ronald Powell (Rancho Verde)
Also, LB Manti Te'o (Punahou High) will be on an official visit.
What is everyone's thoughts on Saturday's game? I'll start it off by going with UCLA 17, Arizona 16.
Here is the notebook I wrote for today's paper, which includes an update on cornerback Alterraun Verner and the latest on injured linebacker Kyle Bosworth.
Also, I asked Verner how long it took him to get past the BYU loss in which he was victimized time and again in the first half by receiver Austin Collie.
"It's kind of hard when you have people text messaging you immediately after the game, but other than that, I was good," Verner said. "I know what I did wrong and I know what I need to do to fix a lot of things."
The loss to BYU did nothing to stem the activity of questions on the blog, and for a third straight week there is a record number of questions, which means a record number of answers. That said, there will be at least 20 set of answers today, and a few more early Saturday morning so folks can read them before the game.
All the answers will be posted by Saturday at 10 a.m., two hours before kickoff.
Check back throughout the weekend for game discussions, reactions, news and everything else UCLA.
Now, get ready for sets and sets of rapid fire answers:
I know folks like it, so here's a tidbit from Friday's paper, a few hours early. Weak side starting linebacker Kyle Bosworth got a second opinion on his injured knee, and was told it would be three to four weeks before he would be back.
In talking to a few of my sources, they believe the earliest Bosworth will be back is Oct. 11 at Oregon. And that is if he heals quickly from a torn medial collateral ligament in his knee.
One thing UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel is doing is getting former players involved in the program more, and today he brought linebacker Roman Phifer into the mix. Phifer was out of the field with Neuheisel during practice.
UCLA officials told me today they are expecting about 60,000 at the Rose Bowl for Saturday's Pacific-10 opener against Arizona.
Here is UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel's press briefing following Thursday's practice:
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One other thing: UCLA's offensive line continued to shift in practice, with Scott Glicksberg taking most of the snaps with the first team at right guard.
Although Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel remained non-committal as to the starters, it seems set that it will be:
LT Micah Kia, LG Darius Savage, C Jake Dean, RG Scott Glicksberg and RT Nick Ekbatani.
UCLA finished its practice in preparation for Saturday's game against Arizona, and coach Rick Neuheisel said he was pleased with the focus and effort, and how things transpired this week as the Bruins look to rebound from last week's 59-0 loss to BYU.
On the field, Neuheisel said running back Kahlil Bell (ankle) would be a game-time decision, and if he could not play Raymond Carter, Chane Moline and Derrick Coleman would be the leading candidates to play.
Also, running back Aundre Dean (ankle) is doubtful, but receiver Nelson Rosario (knee) is expected to play.
Finally, receiver Dominique Johnson did not practice because of a sore hamstring, but Neuheisel said Johnson was expected to be ready for the Wildcats.
UCLA target Anthony Stover, a center at Windward High of Los Angeles (he recently transferred from La Canada Renaissance Academy) is supposed to begin an official visit to Arizona on Friday.
Stover will visit UCLA after that. He is deciding between visiting either next weekend, for Oct. 3-4.
I'm hearing another reason UCLA coaches are not going out recruiting Friday is because they want to be around for Lake City of Coeur d'Alene (Idaho) tight end Billy Sanders, who is expected to be on campus this weekend, although it will be for another unofficial visit.
Sanders is a Miami commit, but spent a few days at UCLA last month.
Here is the story from today's paper on Sylmar forward Tyler Honeycutt's non-binding oral commitment to play for UCLA men's basketball coach Ben Howland.
"I like everything about UCLA,'' Honeycutt said. "It's prestigious, coach Howland is a great coach and you can get to the next level playing there."
UCLA sent an email to fans, touting $10 tickets to UCLA's game against Arizona on Saturday. The email subject line reads ``$10 Football Tickets, Lowest in 10 Years.'' This offer follows UCLA's worst loss in 79 years. Read on for the full e-mail:
Is UCLA's up-and-down play on the field is a matter of mental toughness or weakness? Well, here's a story I wrote about that subject in today's paper, along with the notebook by Jill Painter off Wednesday's practice.
As a side note, the up-and-down syndrome is not something only UCLA deals with, according to one of the most visible sports psychologists in the nation.
"The history of football is up-and-down, up-and-down," Dr. John Murray said. "UCLA may do that more than other teams. Maybe it's because they're in the spotlight of Southern California. Maybe it's the California attitude. But the point in team's have to prepare week-in and week-out.
"Jimmy Johnson was the best at keeping his teams focused on his road. He had an incredible record during his college career on the road. That's all mental. The difference between winning on the road and at home is mental."
Raymond Carter suffered a bruised knee after a big hit in the BYU game, and he looked a bit gimpy in Wednesday's limited practice, but he said his ``knee is feeling great.''
Kahlil Bell wants to play Saturday, but even Bell thinks it's a long shot.
``I've got to be smart,'' Bell said. ``I'll keep rehabbing it and do treatment and hope for a miracle.''
A little bit of a recruiting update to take the sting out of the Shaq Evans commitment to USC. I was going to save it until tomorrow, but decided to put it up now:
Manti Te'o, one of the top linebackers in the nation, and out of Panahou High in Honolulu will be taking an official visit to UCLA this weekend to take in the Bruins' game against Arizona.
One other thing. Because of the noon kickoff and because of a few other factors I will unveil later today, UCLA coaches decided not to go on the road recruiting Friday.
One of UCLA's top receiver targets, Inglewood High receiver Shaquelle Evans, gave a non-binding oral commitment to USC. Evans was at the USC-Ohio State, and told the coaching staff he was going to attend USC.
From what I understand, UCLA will still recruit him hard, but it will be difficult to get him away from USC.
I talked to Sylmar High small forward Tyler Honeycutt, who committed to UCLA, about his development as a player over the last 12 months. He's been playing volleyball since ninth grade, and he said it really helped in his development as a basketball player, particulary his ability to block shots.
Yes, a small forward, but he's 6-foot-8, and is very good at reading plays and blocking shots.
"I couldn't dunk until I was in 11th grade," Honeycutt said. "I think volleyball really helped me with my timing. It made me a better shot blocker."
Honeycutt said he would play volleyball his senior season at Sylmar, but would not pursue it at UCLA.
Rick Neuheisel said he'll make the decision on whether or not Kahlil Bell will play Saturday, but it doesn't look like that will happen since Neuheisel said he doesn't want to see him take one step forward and two steps back.
``He could go,'' Neuheisel said. ``It really will be on me. Kahlil wants to go. I haven't made up my mind as to whether or not I'll let him just because it's a long year. It's only Week Three. ... It'll be a game-time thing. I'll watch him game-time and see what I think.''
UCLA is trying to get the running game going, which can be as tough in practice as it is in games.
``As I've told everybody, hard work is our ally and frustration is our enemy,'' Rick Neuheisel said.
The offensive line was the same as yesterday - Micah Kia (left tackle), Darius Saveage (left guard), Jake Dean (center), Brandon Bennett (right guard) and Nick Ekbatani (right tackle). They're expected to start Saturday's game against Arizona, but Bob Palcic wanted to see how tomorrow's practice went before naming starters. Nelson Rosario (knee) practiced. Kahlil Bell did individual work and some team stuff, but Rick Neuheisel said he could play but that he wouldn't play if the game was today. Derrick Coleman earned the bulk of carries in practice today. Raymond Carter (bruised knee) returned to limited practice today. Neuheisel said Carter is ''definitely ready'' for Saturday. Neuheisel said the running backs for Saturday would be Chane Moline and Carter and that Coleman would be available. Aundre Dean didn't practice today. Neuheisel said he's hopeful Marcus Everett would be ready for next week.
The UCLA men's basketball schedule is set for the season. Here's the release and schedule from UCLA:
Send in the questions by Friday 8 a.m., and I will post my answers throughout the day. (Again, please keep the questions under novella length, or I'm not going to answer them.)
I talked to Sylmar forward Tyler Honeycutt briefly, but was at school so I will get him later tonight and post some of his comments, and also have a different story in the paper about him.
That said, here is the story I wrote for online on Honeycutt committing to UCLA.
Breakfast with the Bruins
Westwood Bruin Touchdown Club breakfast
Friday Sept 19 -- 7 am
Olympic Collection @ Olympic and Sawtelle
Coach Norm Chow, offensive coordinator
Key football players including
Reggie Carter, linebacker
Ryan Moya, tight end
UCLA cheerleaders
Free parking
Cost $28
For reservations call Claudia Hart @ 310-348-UCLA or email
at claudia4ucla@yahoo.com
UCLA received a non-binding oral commitment from Sylmar High's Tyler Honeycutt. He's a forward who UCLA coach Ben Howland has recruited hard.
"He has committed to UCLA," his mother, Lisa Stazel said. "He just called (USC coach) Tim Floyd to tell him."
Here is a story from the Modesto Bee about UCLA basketball commit Reeves Nelson, who is going against the advice of many folks close to him and playing football this season for Modesto Christian High.
"Even if I get hurt and can't play basketball again, I won't regret my decision to play football," Nelson said. "There are more important things in life than sports, like the memories you will carry with you the rest of your life. Doing what makes you happy is what life is all about."
Freshman Jeff Baca did take reps with the first-team offensive line in Tuesday's practice, but the litmus test for where players stand comes at the end of practice, when the Bruins go 1s vs 1s and 2s vs 2s.
Micah Kia was at left tackle for the first offense, but Baca said offensive line coach Bob Palcic made it known there was plenty of competition.
"Coaches are trying to find the right mix of guys," Baca said. "They're rotating guys every play. There's no set positions right now. Whoever is working the hardest in the drills is going to see time in the team periods, and whoever does the best in the team periods is going to come out being the starter on Saturday."
Here is the notebook I wrote for today's paper, and it focuses mostly on possible changes on offense.
This quote stood out for me in the notebook:
"We promised ourselves after last week's game that we were going to grade on effort, and so we're going to look at a lot of people,'' UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow said. "I think it's something that needs to be done because we need to find the guys that are willing to go to battle with the proper effort, and all that kind of stuff. We have to make it all work.''
Chow also said there is plenty of blame to go around.
"It's not just the offensive line," Chow said. "There are other things. You saw the running back (position change), the tight end. It's not just the offensive line."
Here is what UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel had to say to the media after Tuesday's practice:
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Dialup
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The questions continued about UCLA's meltdown at BYU, but UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel moved to politely extinguish them.
"As I've told them, we're going to stop talking about the past,'' Neuheisel said. "Let's start talking about Arizona.''
What did Neuheisel like about the practice to give hope for a turnaround?
"Everybody showed up," he said. "They all came back to work, and fired up about it.''
Forgot to mention this:
There is no official word, but it looks like freshman Kevin Prince has taken over the No. 2 spot at quarterback from Chris Forcier.
Prince took all the snaps with the second team offense today, and Forcier was running scout team at times.
Also, with Kyle Bosworth expected to miss at least two games and John Hale out with a neck injury, the linebackers today were: WLB Reggie Carter, MLB Steve Sloan and SLB Akeem Ayers.
Receiver Marcus Everett (toe) went through some individual drills.
Lots of doings on offense with mixing and matching along the offensive line and plenty of players getting looks. It is far from settled, but UCLA ended the practice with the following lineup:
LT Micah Kia, LG Darius Savage, C Jake Dean, RG Brandon Bennett, RT Nick Ekbatani.
At times Jeff Baca was working with the first team at left tackle, and Scott Glicksberg was working with the first team at left guard.
Also, UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said running Kahlil Bell is between "doubtful and probable" for the game, and freshman Derrick Coleman received many of the reps with the first team.
As far as the injured, WR Nelson Rosario (knee), RB Raymond Carter (knee), DT Jerzy Sierwierski (neck), TE Nate Chandler (neck) and LB John Hale (neck) all did not do much in practice, and more should be known on their status Wednesday.
UCLA punter Aaron Perez was added to the Ray Guy Award watchlist for the nation's top punter. Here is the release:
I will get confirmation of this after practice, but I was told starting center Micah Reed is out 2 to 4 weeks with a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee. It could mean he is out until Oct. 18 against Stanford.
The Arizona Daily Star had an interesting chart about how Arizona has played under coach Mike Stoops, and how the halftime score translates to the final result.
The Wildcats are 4-25 when trailing at the half and 0-3 when tied. Conversely, the Wildcats are 15-2 when leading at halftime.
Here is the chart:
I was told by UCLA spokesman Marc Dellins that coach Rick Neuheisel was dealing with a personal matter during his normal time slot, which is why he was not on the conference call at that time.
Then, there was a miscommunication between UCLA and the Pacific-10 about Neuheisel taking the last slot on the conference call. Basically, Neuheisel was in his office waiting for the conference operator to call him, and the conference operator thought Neuheisel was going to call in.
UCLA football coach Rick Neuheisel did not take his normal time slot on today's conference call of Pacific 10 coaches, and as of now the Pac-10 has no idea why.
"His office couldn't track him down," Pac-10 associate commissioner of communications Jim Muldoon said. "They couldn't find him. ...There may be a perfectly good reason for it."
Muldoon said this has happened with other coaches, although it is not frequent, and he added it usually coincides with coaches being out on the road.
"We will talk to (UCLA)," Muldoon said. "We will tell them how we need to have him on."
Neuheisel is very media friendly, but in the wake of a 59-0 loss at BYU, this doesn't look very good.
UCLA's football staff is being aggressive when it comes to recruiting within the season. Although the Bruins kickoff at noon Saturday against Arizona, the coaching staff will use one of its NCAA-allowed six recruiting days Friday, as coaches buzz around SoCal to watch recruits.
I talked to UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel about this during training camp, and he said the reason he is comfortable doing it the day before a game is because nearly all of the work is already done to get ready for an opponent by the time Friday night rolls around.
Steve Dilbeck wrote a column of optimism for UCLA' fans today, although with a decidedly different tact, and here is the notebook I wrote, which talks about possible defensive changes.
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said linebacker Reggie Carter would move from middle linebacker to weakside linebacker, and Steve Sloan would start in the middle because of the knee injury to Kyle Bosworth.
However, I talked to defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker, and he will have another experiment early in the week that could keep Carter in the middle. He said Josh Edwards, who missed the first two games with a foot injury, will get a look at weakside linebacker.
Also, I'm hearing Kyle Bosworth is likely to miss more than one game, and could be out three to four weeks.
UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker arrived back on campus after Saturday's debacle at BYU, and rather than head home, went straight to watching film. He said he got back to campus about 9 p.m., and stayed there until 1 a.m.
"I had to see that tape before I left and went to sleep," Walker said.
As a sidelight, linebacker Reggie Carter and safety Bret Lockett were two players who also watched film upon arriving back at campus.
Walker said Sunday's film session was also different as the defense sat down together and watched all 85 plays.
"We went from the secondary coach to the linebacker coach to the d-line coach, and it wasn't like we were berating them," Walker said. "We were just teaching. We got a lot of things cleaned up, and really, it is an inexperienced group. To be honest, we're continuing to find ourselves."
I'm hearing Bellarmine Prep of Tacoma, Wash., guard Abdul Gaddy committed to Arizona. I should have more later.
He was down to UCLA and the Wildcats.
Nate Chandler, who was moved from tight end to offensive line in late July, is listed as the third-string tight end on depth chart for Arizona. The only surprise here is UCLA making it public.
Chandler spent all last week at tight end, but one of the agreements about practice being open to the media is not to report game-plan stuff. When I asked coach Rick Neuheisel about it last Monday, he asked that it not be reported because he viewed it as game-plan material.
All that said, given UCLA's depth issues on the offensive line and at tight end, it will be interesting to see where Chandler practices this week. My hunch is with the tight ends, but we shall see.
Here is the audio of UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel's s press conference today.
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During his press conference today, UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel read a snipet of a letter he received from legendary coach John Wooden. He said he received the letter before the season began, but it is meaningful now as the Bruins try to rebound from a 59-0 defeat at BYU.
"You to have the self control to forget about it," said Neuheisel, while reading from a piece of paper. "Long before any championships were ever won at UCLA, I came to understand that losing is only temporary, and not all encompassing. You must simply study it, learn from it, and try hard not to lose the same way again. Then you must have the self control to forget about."
Neuheisel then said "That's what we're going to ask our kids to do."
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel read a letter he received from legendary coach John Wooden before the season, and I will have it in full later today.
However, the message came at the end, and according to Neuheisel, said, "you just have the self-control to forget about."
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel just finished up his Monday press conference. I will have audio up later, but here are the tidbits:
With Kyle Bosworth out against Arizona, Neuheisel said Reggie Carter will move to weakside linebacker and Steve Sloan will play middle linebacker.
Also, Neuheiesel said he wants to put the loss behind the Bruins, but talked about needing to establish a running game after throwing the ball 82 times in two games.
"We can't love in a world where we throw the ball 45 times a game," Neuheisel said.
In terms of averaging less than a yard per carry, he said the running game must continue to work hard to have some type of impact. Neuheisel said the plan is to "keep practicing it, maybe looking at different schemes."
As far as injuries, nothing new from what I reported last night. Linebacker Kyle Bosworth and center Micah Reed aren't expected to play because of knee injuries, and running back Kahlil Bell could be back from a sprained ankle.
"We're not going to make any excuses about the injuries," he said. "That's part of the deal."
When UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel met with his players Sunday, he said the "Kids were attentive, they were hurt and disappointed by the loss,'' but he believed they would respond well.
I asked him if he was more of a psychologist rather than a strategist at this point.
"I leave the x's and o's to the assistants, but I talked about, 'We're the caretakers of the UCLA football program right now,' " Neuheisel said. "In trying to build a culture, we've got to make sure everybody is in, all in, got a committed group, and the attitude is correct.
"Now, we're going to check our responsibilities and make sure everybody is accountable to one another."
I also asked him about the Bruins' psyche.
"It's a fine line in how much hurt you feel, and then how quickly you can let it go and focus on the next week," Neuheisel said. "You don't want it to be too easy. You want it to be a certain amount of pain because then that is an indication of the investment.
But the pain cannot become the negative, where you're afraid of failure, you're afraid of what might happen in lieu of excitement about another chance to compete. So therein lies the fine line, but I think we're right in line with where you'd hope the team to be."
Arizona tight end Rob Gronkowski, who caught six passes for 94 yards a touchdown int he Wildcats' 34-27 win against UCLA last season, is expected to make his season debut Saturday at UCLA.
Gronkowski, widely considered one of the best tight ends in the West, missed the first three games with strep throat, and possibly mononucleosis.
(Also, the links to the newspapers that cover the Wildcats is now updated on the right side of the blog.)
Here is my report card on UCLA from the 59-0 loss at BYU. Please take some time to cast your vote:
UCLA should be getting some healthy bodies back this week and coach Rick Neuheisel said changes on the offensive side would be coming, which I wrote about this week.
However, one other thing Neuheisel spoke about was a change in BYU's defensive philosophy against the Bruins. After playing no nickel defense in the first two games of the season, the Cougars played plenty of it against UCLA, daring the Bruins to try and run the ball.
"They were in a position to back up (defensively) because of the score,'' Neuheisel said. "This was the first time this year they ran nickel defense. They put five DBs in the game for the first time during the season. But, I think I attribute it, No. 1, I think we've got some nice wide receivers and then, No. 2, the score."
I will have more from UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel on Monday, but after watching tape and thinking about Saturday's loss, he had this to say about BYU, and quarterback Max Hall.
"The BYU team we saw yesterday can play with anybody," Neuheisel said. "As experienced as they are in that offense, and (quarterback) Max Hall is as good a quarterback I've seen in college in a long time, at least the way he played yesterday."
For those who care, here is updated defensive stats from the BYU game. It took from sorting out by UCLA since the official game stats had running back Craig Sheppard making eight tackles rather than Sean Westgate. I know both where No. 21, but you'd think someone would notice Sheppard listed as a running back.
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said center Micah Reed and linebacker Kyle Bosworth were both doubtful for Saturday's game against Arizona because of knee injuries suffered against BYU, but tests for both came back fine and both could be ready when the Bruins host Fresno State on Sept. 27.
Right now Jake Dean is the starter at center, with Nick Ekbatani and Jess Ward as possible backups, Neuehisel said. He added there will be competition for spots on the offensive line this week with Mike Harris possibly getting a look.
Neuheisel also addressed the poor running game, and said other running backs likely will get into the mix, meaning Derrick Coleman, Aundre Dean and Johnathan Franklin could fight it out for playing time, along with Raymond Carter.
Neuheisel said running back Kahlil Bell did straight ahead running today, and he was "optimistic" Bell would be ready for Arizona.
Finally, Neuheisel said defensive tackle Jerzy Sierwierski (neck), Carter (knee) and Aundre Dean (ankle) should all be ready for practice Tuesday and available against the Wildcats.
UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow said there was concern the running game is averaging less than a yard a carry through two games, but said part of the blame for the Bruins' lack of running game is circumstance.
"Both situations didn't give us the opportunity (to stay with the run)," Chow said. "We probably should have run the ball more, keep trying to run the ball in the second half. That was probably my fault."
UCLA's road losing streak to ranked teams reached 14 games with the loss to BYU, but the bigger issue is whether or not the Bruins were mentally set to play in the game. Most of the players I talked to said they thought they were ready, and practiced well late last week.
Now, the are trying to shake off the 59-0 loss and get ready for Arizona on Saturday.
"It is pretty surreal,'' UCLA center Micah Reed said. "We have to let this one go and worry about Arizona and the Pac-10.
"I thought we were ready for this game. We seemed ready. It just didn't go right for us."
Bruins linebacker Reggie Carter also embraced the looking forward approach.
"I guess it happened again,'' Carter said. "I guess they can say we haven't beaten a ranked team since 2001, so we lost and we have to let it go and move onto the next week."