Deeper thoughts?
After a few hours of reflection and a few more of sleep, what do you all think about last night's 24-23 UCLA win?
Are you more optimistic about the future, or is 4-5 still not enough to get you excited?
Are you confident is and will remain the best option for UCLA at quarterback?
Are you worried about the running back situation?
I think the team showed promise last night, but while more than 400 yards of offense and three touchdowns is impressive, five turnovers is not. I do believe a good offense takes those chances, though, and that the only real troubling signs were the fumbles.
Defensively, while Sheldon Price was great on that last play, I'm simply shocked that Viney hasn't gotten a chance to work back in. I'm not sure he's better, but there are times when he can't be worse than Price.
I was impressed by both coordinators last night. Chow seemed willing to experiment on the fly and called the game with good rhythm. At one point, he called the Wildcat on consecutive plays, and while that isn't unheard of, it shows that he has confidence that his guys can excute complex calls and plays. Bullough called some nasty blitzes and the defensive line pulled off some sound stunting, which confused the Washington offensive line at times.
My report card will come later, and I'd love to get yours.
Thanks
JG
I agree that Price is over matched and that Viney is not getting any PT. What is also very concerning is that Verner is getting beaten consistently on deep passes.
I think it was a big mistake to burn Brehaut's redshirt. He's clearly got lots of talent, but he's just not ready as a true freshman. Plus, Craft looks like the coaching staff's security blanket this year (who knew?).
Franklin has had fumbling problems throughout the year, although UCLA has been fortunate that many of those fumbles have been recovered. I think the coaching staff needs to send a message to him either by starting Coleman for a game or giving him a really hard time at practice this week.
I'm really happy for Kevin Craft. He took all the blame for the way last season went even though there was plenty of blame to share.
We are finally seeing where UCLA fits in the PAC-10 this year. I don't know if it was said here or somewhere else but the schedule was just kind of wonky for us. We played 5 teams who are clearly more together than us to start conference play. We are better than UW and WSU without question (although we almost gifted UW that game yesterday). I think we are better than ASU even though their defense looks for real. USC is beatable as they haven't found their identity this year...but I would hardly chalk that up as a win.
The light has come on for Prince...well, every light except the one right over "Slide feet first!"
Trust in Chow...he saw it from the beginning and never waivered on his guy. The future of the offense is bright.
More Milton Knox!!! If anyone has earned more playing time, it's this kid. He really looks to have a great nose for holes. He looked like Ronnie Brown out there in the Wildcat.
Rosario comes alive....finally! Hopefully his work ethic issues are in the past now and he can grow into the dominant player he is capable of becoming. What a relief it must be for a young QB to have a guy like that who can go get the ball.
Terrance Austin deserves a game ball for one of the guttiest performances I can remember seeing. He was making things happen everywhere. Making tough catches, big returns, juggling acts...HUGE part of why we won.
Special shout out to the PAT team for getting out there and kicking that extra point QUICKLY before Austins circus catch TD could be challenged. It always drive me nuts when teams take their sweet time setting up the PAT after questionable TDs only to have it called back. GREAT JOB on the gamesmanship aspect there!
We are finally seeing where UCLA fits in the PAC-10 this year. I don't know if it was said here or somewhere else but the schedule was just kind of wonky for us. We played 5 teams who are clearly more together than us to start conference play. We are better than UW and WSU without question (although we almost gifted UW that game yesterday). I think we are better than ASU even though their defense looks for real. USC is beatable as they haven't found their identity this year...but I would hardly chalk that up as a win.
The light has come on for Prince...well, every light except the one right over "Slide feet first!"
Trust in Chow...he saw it from the beginning and never waivered on his guy. The future of the offense is bright.
More Milton Knox!!! If anyone has earned more playing time, it's this kid. He really looks to have a great nose for holes. He looked like Ronnie Brown out there in the Wildcat.
Rosario comes alive....finally! Hopefully his work ethic issues are in the past now and he can grow into the dominant player he is capable of becoming. What a relief it must be for a young QB to have a guy like that who can go get the ball.
Terrance Austin deserves a game ball for one of the guttiest performances I can remember seeing. He was making things happen everywhere. Making tough catches, big returns, juggling acts...HUGE part of why we won.
Special shout out to the PAT team for getting out there and kicking that extra point QUICKLY before Austins circus catch TD could be challenged. It always drive me nuts when teams take their sweet time setting up the PAT after questionable TDs only to have it called back. GREAT JOB on the gamesmanship aspect there!
I too have been frustrated, but glad that Bruins have not given up on the season, and that means a lot to a booster and season ticket holder.
QB Situation: I was never clear why everyone so impatient with Prince, isn't this his first year of starting division 1? I like his attitude, but I don't think he has the durability to survive four yrs...look at his last few yrs of playing.
It's a joke now that fans are saying why didn't team redshirt Brehaut? These are the same fans that are saying that Craft sucks. Well if that is the case, who will be the no. 2 QB? Haven't i been following the team the last 5 yr? QB on this team seems to be snake bitten. So if you fans know more about QB's than CRN and Chow, then why didn't u get the job.
Freshman: I am glad many true freshman are playing, and yes their confidence and strength may not be developed just yet, but they will only get closer if they play...u don't develop by watching. I think redshirting players to stock pile for the future is not a good formula, ask karl dorrell. Get them to play now, and keep getting other recruits.
Just have to ride it out the rest of the season to get a preview of next season.
Jon you bring up some valid points. The one thing I find amazing is that it took us this long to be more aggressive on D. It was very nice to see some creativity
with our blitz packages. This new found aggressiveness on both sides of the ball will bring dividends as the seasons progresses.
Glad we got a conference win but it was against one of the worse teams in the Pac 10. When we start beating teams with winning records then that will be a sign that things are turning around. I thought the play calling yesterday was much improved as well as the execution by the players. Paulsen continues to be our internal drive killer with his stupid and uncalled for penalties. He has to be having one of the worse senior seasons that I recall anyone having. He needs to have his head screwed on again and hopefully it goes on straight this time.
I thought the key play was UW missing the game winning field goal.