Grading out
Here is my report card on UCLA's 34-9 loss to Arizona State. Chime in below and grade the Bruins for yourself.
Arizona State 34, UCLA 9
Record: 4-7, 3-5 Pac-10; Weekly grade: D
Quarterbacks
Kevin Craft's toughness on the field and ability to stand up and face his critics off it should be noted after his four turnovers led to four ASU defensive TDs.
Grade: F
Running backs
The only play by a running back that mattered was Derrick Coleman getting the ball get smacked out of his hand that led to ASU's first TD.
Grade: F
Receivers
Marcus Everett and Terrence Austin each had 8 catches, but every unit on offense deserves a failing grade.
Grade: F
Offensive line
Five sacks allowed, 2.5 yards per rush and defenders all over Craft's feet. And ASU didn't even blitz much.
Grade: F
Defensive line
ASU averaged .9 yards per carry. Amazingly, Sun Devils had more return yards on four defensive scores (200) than total offense (122).
Grade: A
Linebackers
Reggie Carter put it best when he said "maybe we could have scored a few touchdowns'' to help the offense.
Grade: A
Secondary
Carpenter was 13 of 26 for 101 yards and one INT. Again, maybe if UCLA returned a few turnovers for scores it would have helped.
Grade: A
Special teams
Kai Forbath made his 3 FG attempts and Aaron Perez set a school record for punt yards in a career (11,762).
Grade: B
Coaching
In the spring coach Rick Neuheisel said "we're going to play (the quarterback) position well,'' if you remember?
Grade: C
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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.
i do not think it is fair to blame that fumble on Coleman since he never hears any whistle. he is deaf.
Average out his performance and heart and I'd give Craft a "C"
And maybe cut him a little more slack for not having a run game to support him.
Coleman wears hearing aids when he plays, and can hear audibles. There was no whistle blown on the field during the play.
Coaching a "C", that was terrible play calling and game plan. How could it be a "C"?
Craft clearly isn't a Heisman quarterback, but he's got absolutely NO offensive live to block long enough for him to throw the ball or to have any sort of running game. He is getting drilled time and time again. Perhaps if he had a bit more time in the pocket he wouldn't throw so many interceptions.
Craft is one tough kid - physically and emotionally. Why don't people cut him some slack and understand that there are other factors at work here.
All the blame belongs to the offense line. QB has no time. QB is knocked down on most every play. QB has to go with first progression no time to look for another receiver. Running backs have no holes. This line might be the worst in NCAA history.
Take away the turnovers and what I call a freak play (the Coleman fumble) and UCLA dominated AZ in every other aspect of the game. So no...I don't blame the game plan or the coaches. They never coached to "throw the ball in the hands of the other team!"
Can we vote on including an F- to the O-line