Post-Practice Update

* Owamagbe Odighizuwa is now starting at defensive end opposite Keenan Graham, with Nate Chandler moved inside to defensive tackle. Given Akeem Ayers’ pass-rush abilities, he will often be at end, rotating in with Owa, Graham, Damien Holmes, etc., but for the most part, this looks to be the defensive line of the foreseeable future. Owa has impressed coaches with his raw physical abilities, but his technique and positioning deficiencies have left him sidelined often through five games.

* Saw a few nice connections between Kevin Prince and his receivers, including a nice deep ball on the sidelines to Ricky Marvray, and while UCLA would love to get Nelson Rosario back, I’m not sure it will be a devastating loss if he’s out a game or two. Marvray, Josh Smith and Randall Carroll are ready for the work.

* Prince on how he felt: “Felt great, took all the reps I needed to take. All the regular reps I take when I’m fully healthy, and I’m pleased with the way my knee held up. The weather screwed me up – it started pouring during our seven-on-seven session, which was a little unfortunate – a nice little changeup from the 113 degrees we had last week.”

* Nelson Rosario was at practice on crutches and Neuheisel said he doesn’t expect him to play this week. Neuheisel was quick to say that it wasn’t a high ankle sprain, but that it was still significant.

* Christian Ramirez, who was excused from the team last week for personal reasons, was back today.

* Working with the second-team defense, Jordan Zumwalt rang off three good plays in a row, including a very impressive tackle. He’s learning the system more and more, and I think the coaching staff needs to get him on the field more often. He has a ton of potential.

* Pass defense was nowhere near perfect, with guys slipping on the rainy turf. Saw at least two egregious pass interference calls, including one on Sheldon Price that was…wow. Just awful.

* With Dalton Hilliard out with a sprained shoulder, there was much less defensive backfield rotation, as the Bruins have done lately, putting Tony Dye at nickel back and Hilliard at strong safety. Hilliard has really come on strong, so you have to feel like the coaches want him back quickly.