Game Day
Here is the preview that appeared in today's paper for the UCLA-Tennessee game, as well as the notebook that, I think, has some interesting tidbits, including the connection to Mark Harmon, and why Rahim Moore's favorite color is orange.
Also, here is the preview capsule, with a prediction at the end.
No. 18 Tennessee at UCLA
5:15 p.m., Rose Bowl, Pasadena, ESPN, 570-AM.
UCLA WINS IF ...
The defense or special teams can get into the end zone. Creating turnovers to five the offense a short field would also help. ...The Bruins offensive line can limit the pressure on QB Kevin Craft and create holes for the running game to be serviceable. ...Craft manage the game and rid himself of the interceptions he threw so regularly in training camp.
TOP UCLA PERFORMERS
2007 stats
Passing
Comp. Att. Yds TD INT Lg
*Kevin Craft 313 511 4,231 44 10 NA
*Stats at Mt. SAC
Rushing
Att. Yds Avg. TD Lg
Kahlil Bell 142 795 5.6 5 64
Chane Moline 55 196 3.6 1 35
Receiving
Rec. Yds Avg. TD Lg
Dominique Johnson 25 322 12.9 4 42
Terrence Austin 17 248 14.6 0 57
Defense
CB Alterraun - 75 tackles, 4 INTs, 15 passes defended
LB Kyle Bosworth - 74 tackles, 5 tackles for loss
UCLA INJURY UPDATE
Out: QB Ben Olson (foot), OL Mike Harris (ankle), SS Bret Lockett (suspended) and LB Josh Edwards (foot).
Questionable: OL Jess Ward (knee)
Tennessee WINS IF
...The defensive front seven shuts down the Bruins' running game, and sends the young offensive line into panic mode. ...Bruins def. coordinator DeWayne Walker doesn't confuse QB Jonathan Crompton, who is making his second career start, enough to force turnovers. ...Long-time def. coordinator John Chavis isn't schooled by UCLA offensive guru Norm Chow.
TOP Tennessee PERFORMERS
2007 stats
Passing
Comp. Att. Yds TD INT Lg
Jonathan Crompton 7 12 97 1 2 NA
Rushing
Att. Yds Avg. TD Lg
Arian Foster 245 1,193 4.9 12 59
Montario Hardesty 89 373 4.2 3 26
Receiving
Rec. Yds Avg. TD Lg
Lucas Taylor 73 1,000 13.7 5 51
Austin Rogers 56 624 11.1 4 32
Defense
SS Eric Berry - 86 tackles, 5 INTs
LB Rico McCoy - 106 tackles
Tennessee INJURY UPDATE
Out: DB Brent Vinson (suspended) and DT Donald Langley (suspended)
PREDICTION
Tennessee 20, UCLA 12
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.
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