The Early Words: Mo, Mo, Moline
A bodybag or an ice bath: Chane Moline needed one of them after UCLA's 23-13 win over Arizona State on Saturday in front of 46,151 at the Rose Bowl.
Guess that's what 25 carries does for a "fullback."
UCLA's senior hybrid running back got the start at tailback, and Norm Chow put him to good use, letting Moline grind out the clock as the Bruins nursed a lead.
Moline had 17 carries in the second half for 79 yards, finishing with 84 yards and a bunch of bruises.
"My body hurts," said Moline, who had just eight carries - though four touchdowns - for the season coming into the game. "I banged up my knee a little bit, my shins hurt. That's a good defense, they got me a couple times pretty good. But it's a good pain."
Facing an Arizona State defense ranked No. 15 in the country in total defense, UCLA turned to its most sure-handed running back.
With an early lead and little reason to test a defense that scored four defensive touchdowns against them last year, the Bruins left their speedier, more elusive backs on the bench. Sophomore Derrick Coleman had two carries for two yards, redshirt freshman Johnathan Franklin had no carries but two catches for 25 yards, and redshirt freshman Milton Knox and freshman Damien Thigpen didn't enter the game at running back.
The Bruins weren't looking for the home run, it seems.
Singles would do.
"In my mind, I feel like I can do all those things they can," Moline said. "We've got great young talent - they're faster than me, they're stronger than me, they've got quicks. In certain situations, they're better running backs. But I like to get in there and do whatever it takes. I loved this."
On Senior Night, so did the Rose Bowl crowd, which applauded the yeoman's effort in the gritty victory.
Going forward, Moline figures to at least be in the mix for increased time, especially against USC's spotty defense, which ranks 49th in the country in total defense, but 14th in tackles for loss.
"We've been using him for bits and pieces - big back and goal-line stuff," UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel said. "We decided maybe we should do it on an every-down basis. Some will say why we haven't done that the whole time. I don't know why, but we kept looking for the right combination."
On Saturday at the Rose Bowl, they found it.
Stat Tracker
UCLA's five fumble recovery was the most since 1998 against USC. ... Senior cornerback Alterraun Verner's first-quarter interception return for touchdown was the fourth of his career, a UCLA record; his five total defensive touchdowns ties him with Spencer Havner for first on the all-time list. ... Junior kicker Kai Forbath now leads the country in field goals with 26, one ahead of Alabama's Leigh Tiffin.
I miss Brian Dohn's professionalism.
Moline's big day seems to be a bit of prep for USC. The best way to beat the Trojans is running hard between the tackles.
Its pretty obvious that in game updates do nothing for the blog, Perhaps a halftime update is enough. After the game, nothing of note to read, no interesting stats, little information at all, usually redundant quotes from players is what we get.
Partly right, Danny. This is part of Chow's overall game plan. Big back like thunder, quick back like lightning. Maximize your weapons, make them defend all of them. Big athletic receivers like Rosario, speed guys like Thigpen, Carrol. Next year with experience in the OL, watch out.
Moline...this is the back I saw in high school. Hard nosed, physical runner. Good receiver out of the backfield. Must be gangtackled. Will not go down even when DBs go for the legs. Good straight arm.
Misused for 4 years.
I miss Dohn...'s constant schilling for a crappy coach like KD and trying to stick us with another unproven coach in Walker right after our last experiment with an untried coach failed so miserably.