Answers, Part III

This year's defense doesn't seem as effective as last year's. Which player on defense do you think UCLA misses the most from last year?
Defensive end Bruce Davis. The pressure he puts on quarterbacks changed the way UCLA played defense, allowed the secondary to do different things. He also made it so the secondary didn't have to cover as long.

Is the coaching staff looking at other options for returning kicks? Do they still have faith in Austin? Who else is a candidate?
They are looking at Michael Norris to return kicks, but as of Thursday night I don't believe they were going to make a change.

More wins this season: UCLA or Rutgers?
Rutgers. They host Morgan State, Syracuse and Army this season. I haven't lost faith that Rutgers will be bowl eligible this season, but their run defense is absolutely brutal and their quarterback play has been pathetic.

For the first time in years the Bruins hired a coach specifically for special teams. From short kickoffs to lousy coverage to poor returns, why do you think there are so many struggles in this aspect of the game?
I don't think guys are understanding the effort it takes to be successful on special teams, and as far as kickoffs, UCLA does not have the type of kicker to get it deep. For as strong as Kai Forbath's leg is, he is to inconsistent kicking off during practice.

Given that there are so many potential students to track, how does the football staff decide which students to monitor and recruit?
They begin tracking them early in their high school careers, see them in camps and get video on them, and meet and meet and meet about it. It is, to say the least, a lengthy process.

Losing is tough! How in your opinion is the coaching staff handling this?
The staff is frustrated by the losing, but putting in long hours to try and get the players to perform better, and to come up with answers. I know a lot of the coaches are working 18 hour days.

A couple of years back, Kevin Durant (BBall) mentioned that he would have wanted to be a Bruin but didn't receive any attention from the school. Is this true? I would imagine most Div I schools would at least put feelers out for top prospects or is this completely wrong?
I don't know about it, to be honest. I wish I did, but I'm not going to make something up.

Football question: You keep saying you don't think UCLA gets Te'o. What is your reason for this?
From talking to an array of people, I never got the feeling he is high on UCLA. It always felt like he liked a few other schools better than UCLA, and I think he will wind up at BYU.

Also what is your best guess as to what Offensive Linemen end up coming to UCLA?
I don't know what offensive linemen they will wind up with, but El Diamante's Greg Capella already committed and I keep hearing Arroyo Valley's Michael Philipp has a very good chance of winding up at UCLA.