November 2010 Archives

Westwood Bruin Touchdown Club
All Bruin fans welcome
Beat $c breakfast
Friday Decemeber 3rd--7 am
Olympic Collection
11301 W Olympic Blvd (at Sawtelle)
UCLA Coach Wayne Moses
UCLA Coach Todd Howard
UCLA Football Players
Richard Brehaut, QB
Taylor Embree, WR
Sheldon Price, CB
Eddie Williams, OG
Jordan Zumwalt, LB
UCLA Cheerleaders
Cost: $25 includes breakfast buffet, program, and free parking
For reservations contact Claudia Hart @ 310-348-UCLA or email her at www.claudia4ucla@yahoo.com
Go Bruins!

Coming off a disappointing visit to the Big Apple, playing at Kansas is probably not UCLA head coach Ben Howland's dream scenario.
The Bruins were torched on the perimeter in two losses to No. 7 Villanova and Virginia Commonwealth, and now they have to prepare for a three-headed monster in the post in Lawrence.
Kansas twins Marcus and Markieff Morris combine for 31.3 points - 19 per game from Marcus - and 15.6 rebounds per game, while teammate Thomas Robinson has been a force off the bench, averaging 10.7 points and six rebounds.
UCLA has learned, and learned quickly, that this is not the same Kansas squad as last season, miles apart from the Jayhawks that was ranked No. 1 last season when they defeated UCLA 73-61 at Pauley Pavilion, behind Markieff Morris' game-high 19 points.
"They're different; they don't have that one dominant force in the middle," sophomore forward Tyler Honeycutt said of Kansas, which employed massive center Cole Aldrich last season. "I know Robinson's improved a lot, and so have the twins. They're going to be really hard to guard because they're so big and have great post moves."
That could be a problem.
Defense has not been UCLA's strong suit this season, and Howland has set out to fix it.
The team spent three hours breaking down the VCU game on Sunday, a day after returning from New York following Friday's 89-85 loss to the Rams.
After, he showed the Bruins video clips of former defensive greats such as Aaron Afflalo and Luc Mbah-a-Moute.
"They just took more pride in the defense because they knew that by doing that, they could generate their offense," said sophomore forward Reeves Nelson, who leads the team in scoring at 17.6 points per game. "That's what coach was trying to show us. He wants to put an emphasis on transition, but at the same time, if you don't get a lot of stops, you can't transition."

*A Foul Issue
Center Joshua Smith's foul issues persisted in New York, as the 6-foot-10, 305-pound freshman picked up four more fouls against both Villanova and VCU, and he now has four fouls in all five UCLA games.
As a result, Smith hasn't put up the big numbers expected of him early as he's been relegated to just 16 minutes per game.
"We just talked about that earlier today, and he has a habit of reaching," Howland said. "He has to play with his feet set. Some of it, he has to get in better condition so that he doesn't play fatigued. But he had some bad calls go against him, and I made it clear - the biggest guy always seems to be singled out. He had a terrible call in the Villanova game, he was clearly there for a charge, and the guy ran him right over."
Howland also mentioned that Smith was brutalized on the glass, pointing out that a VCU guard wrapped his arms around him when he was setting up for a rebound, with no call coming.
"You can't allow guys to do that," Howland said. "If they're going to do that, you have to get them off you. Shaq learned. All these big guys learn."

*Gimmicks? Who needs a gimmick?
UCLA's matchup with Kansas is its last game as part of the Pac-10/Big-12 Hardwood series.
Howland isn't sad about that fact.
"UCLA doesn't need any kind of scheduling gimmicks to help us get good games against people," Howland said. "Good teams want to play us. (The series has) helped other teams in our league get BCS-teams on the schedule for a home-and-home. It's not something we need help with."

*Bumps and Bruises
Freshman guard Matt Carlino is fully recovered from an early season concussion, though Howland didn't think it prudent to rush him back into action for the NIT trip.
"He's practiced the last two days, and he's getting back into things," Howland said. "I didn't use him in New York because he had one practice in two weeks. But after we came back Saturday he shot around and did some conditioning."

Check out the latest batch of weekly answers...

Check out the latest batch of weekly answers...

After telling a reporter on Friday that he would be returning for his senior season, UCLA junior safety Rahim Moore qualified those statements on Monday, saying that he would wait until the offseason to decide his future.
Moore, an All-American as a sophomore after leading the nation in interceptions, is rated No. 24 on ESPN analyst Mel Kiper's Big Board.
"I was caught up in it," Moore said of his comments after the Bruins' 55-34 loss at Arizona State on Friday. "I'm not really worrying about next year. I'm loyal to the team. I don't have any plans on leaving. I haven't even discussed it with my family yet.
"I don't know what my decision is going to be."

From UCLA:

General day-of-game parking at the Rose Bowl will be available after 9:30AM on Saturday (game day). Day of game parking is $15 per vehicle.

Persons with reserved passes can enter their lots after 6:00AM on game day.

Please note that for this game, Lot H was sold in advance to UCLA season ticket holders on a reserved basis and will open to permit holders at 6:00AM.

RV parking is available to the general public on a limited basis, beginning at 4:00PM on Friday, December 3. The fee for overnight RV parking is $300 per vehicle and is available on West Drive only (west side of stadium). Day of game RV parking, on a space available basis will commence at 7:00AM and the fee will be $40 per vehicle.

The shuttle from downtown Pasadena (Parsons Engineering Company, Fair Oaks and Walnut Avenues in Pasadena) begins on 4:30PM. There is a fee of $12 per vehicle to park at the Parsons Lot. There is no fee to ride the shuttle. Shuttles will run every 5 minutes and will return after the game for approximately 90 minutes.

Check out the first batch of weekly answers...

Congrats to jdoe and legalsean for being the closest in our Poll of the Week the last two weeks...

jdoe and legalsean - please email me 10 questions for any UCLA football player at jon.gold@dailynews.com.

Fire away with questions for this week's Q&A. Please don't post new questions on the answers section, because I don't always check the comments. Save them for next week.

Thanks
Jon

UCLA has one game remaining, Saturday's grudge match against cross-town rival USC at the Rose Bowl, but Rick Neuheisel's 2011 passion bucket is already starting to fill.
In the face of a 4-7 record and the team's second bowl-less offseason in three years, the UCLA head coach continues to wave the flag of optimism.
Even after the Bruins' 55-34 loss at Arizona State on Friday.
"We're going to be a better football team," Neuheisel said. "To have that actually come to fruition, you have to count on a few things. You have to count on a reasonable amount of health. You've got to count on the fact there's going to be an unbelievable amount of work in winter months. That I can promise.
"I would be crushed if we don't make postseason next year."
Despite the guaranteed losing record, Neuheisel looks back at winnable games this season to maintain his faith, believing a few crucial games changed the course of the year.
"I think we're close," Neuheiel said during his Sunday conference call with reporters. "The score is 10-7 when (sophomore quarterback Richard Brehaut) goes out against Washington. (Sophomore quarterback Kevin) Prince doesn't get any training camp time against Kansas State. The Arizona game was there, we had chances, we didnt get it done. I think we're close."
Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, though, and certainly not in college football recruiting, so Neuheisel will have to do his best sell-job of his short UCLA tenure during the offseason.
The Bruins have had three straight top-15 classes in Neuheisel's reign, as he's been able to sell the future now.
With now looking pretty spotty, the future is all he's got.
"I'm tired of doing excuses," Neuheisel said. "I'm looking for some hungry guys who want to play ball who want to get an education at the best place in the country. We'll do fine in recruiting. We will do fine."

Bumps and Bruises
Sophomore cornerback Andrew Abbott and freshman defensive tackle Cassius Marsh and Andrew Abbott both suffered concussions against the Sun Devils and are going through the protocol early this week. Neuheisel expects them to play against USC.

Mitch or Matt?
Despite USC quarterback Matt Barkley's proclamation to ESPN Los Angeles on Saturday that he would play against UCLA on Saturday after suffering a high ankle sprain against Oregon State on Nov. 20, Neuheisel is preparing for both Barkley and backup Mitch Mustain.
In place of Barkley, Mustain completed 20-of-37 passes for 177 yards and an interception in the Trojans' 20-16 loss to Notre Dame on Saturday.
"I'm just watching that tape right now," Neuheisel said. "Mitch Mustain is a quality, quality quarterback. He was a superstar as a freshman. No question they can run that offense with Mitch Mustain in there."

UCLA REPORT CARD
RESULT: Arizona State 55, UCLA 34
RECORD: 4-7
WEEK 11 GPA: D+

QUARTERBACK
Richard Brehaut set team records for completions and attempts, threw great deep passes, but missed some key throws.
B

RUNNING BACKS
Johnathan Franklin should've dived over the line on goal-line stand, but Derrick Coleman should've had first- and second-down tries that went to Malcolm Jones.
C-

WIDE RECEIVERS
Impressive performances by Taylor Embree and Nelson Rosario make UCLA fans think, 'Where was this all season?"
B+

OFFENSIVE LINE
Way too inconsistent in the running game, and Brehaut had to run for his life at times, but was only sacked once.
C+

DEFENSIVE LINE
The way UCLA D-linemen engage blocks, the diamond rings must be massive. DL Coach Todd Howard needs to teach the rip and swim better.
D

LINEBACKERS
Either these linebackers were out of position all game, or the scheme was not up to par, but UCLA's second line of defense was non-existent.
D

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Can't imagine a more disappointing group this late in the year than the fast-talking, slow-footed unit.
F

SPECIAL TEAMS
Kai Forbath regained his swagger with two field goals, tying John Lee's UCLA career record, but ASU touchdown return was pivotal...and unacceptable.
D

COACHING
Don't understand not going for QB sneak on 4th-and-inches on goal line, but defensive scheme even more baffling.
D+

TEMPE - UCLA knew that winning its final two games over Arizona State and USC to become bowl eligible would be a tall order.

Stopping Brock Osweiler proved to be taller.

The Sun Devils' 6-foot-8 backup quarterback torched the Bruins for 380 yards and four touchdowns and added a scoring run as ASU came back from an early 17-point deficit to end UCLA's postseason hopes with a 55-34 win at Sun Devil Stadium.
Relieving starter Steven Threet on ASU's third drive after Threet went down with a head injury, Osweiler completed 27-of-36 passes against a Bruin defense that offered zero pressure.

"It's lovely," said ASU wide receiver Mike Willie, whose lone catch, a 32-yard touchdown reception, cut the UCLA lead to 17-14. "He can see everything. If he can see everything, I can see everything, and we're on the same page. Man, it's lovely."

The Bruins were even prettier early against the stunned Sun Devils.

UCLA quarterback Richard Brehaut, who would set school records with 56 pass attempts and 33 completions, scored on a 12-yard touchdown run on the Bruins first drive.

After a punt on the second drive and a 40-yard Kai Forbath field goal on the third, UCLA recovered a fumble by ASU's Deantre Lewis at the 46-yard line, and Brehaut hit a streaking Randall Carroll for a long touchdown.

Then the tide turned.

Maybe it was a tsunami.

The Sun Devils reeled off 21 straight points on three Osweiler touchdowns - for five yards to Aaron Pflugrad, 32 yards to Willie and seven yards to Gerell Robinson - to shift the momentum drastically."

"We have to play a better leadership role to keep this team focused when we do get up 17-0," said UCLA junior safety Tony Dye, who led the team with seven tackles and two tackles for loss. "We can't become complacent. I'm putting it on us - me personally - I have to step up and be a better leader on this team. We have to close these games."
Being able to score from a foot out might help.

After Arizona State's Thomas Weber hit a 21-yard field goal on the team's first drive of the third quarter, UCLA marched down the field to the Sun Devils' 25-yard line.
On a Brehaut one-yard run, two personal foul penalties on Arizona State gave UCLA a 1st-and-goal from the Sun Devils' six-yard line. Consecutive Malcolm Jones runs totaled two yards, and a Brehaut-to-Nelson Rosario pass completion was stopped just short of the goal line.

UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel decided to go for it, and rather than go with a quarterback sneak under center, offensive coordinator Norm Chow called for a zone-read run up the middle. Neuheisel told running back Johnathan Franklin to jump over the line and into the end zone.

Franklin instead ran directly into the middle of the line, Arizona State's stout interior defense plugged the hole, and UCLA came away with nothing.

Three plays later, after starting the drive at their own 1-yard line, Sun Devil running back Cameron Marshall broke off a 71-yard touchdown run, effectively ending the Bruins' chances.

"Richard is not a good quarterback-sneak guy," Chow said. "Everybody is expecting a QB sneak. We thought we'd try to motion some, and cause a little confusion. It didn't work."
Arizona State's offense sure did, though.

In piling up 595 yards, a season-high allowed for the Bruins, the Sun Devils had 342 in the second half, and whenever UCLA looked like it could come up with a crucial stop, ASU plowed through.

"They see the Cover-4 every day at practice, they run the same exact defense as us, and it seemed like they knew what we were in," cornerback Aaron Hester said. "They were hitting all the vulnerable spots in our offense. We made some adjustments, but they'd come down and do it still. Fifty-five points? Man, that's unacceptable."

Once again, the Bruins searched for answers after the game.

A 17-0 lead disappeared into the thin Tempe air, and so did UCLA's shot at the postseason, ensuring the Bruins a bowl-less December for the second time in three years.

"I don't know if they're not gamers," defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough said. "As coaches, we have to figure out if we have too much installed, too much in there, is there confusion? During the week, they do a phenomenal job.

"It's frustrating to the players and coaches by now; this is when we should be playing our best ball."

TEMPE -
If Richard Brehaut needs a shoulder sling, it's understandable.
The UCLA sophomore quarterback completed 33-of-56 passes - both UCLA records - for 321 yards and the three touchdowns in the Bruins' 55-34 loss at Arizona State on Friday afternoon.
Against a Sun Devil defense ranked 18th nationally against the run but 88th against the pass, the Bruins went to the throwing game early, but especially late, as ASU erased a 17-0 lead with a 55-10 run.
"Our passing game has been something we struggled with all year," Brehaut said. "Fortunately, we were able to get that going. Unfortunately, we were able to get it going because we were down. We had to pass."
Facing tremendous pressure from an Arizona State defense that wasn't about to sit idly by, Brehaut was productive on the run and was only sacked once. His second touchdown, a 21-yard toss to junior Nelson Rosario, came on a broken play, as Brehaut threw a jump ball off his back foot to the 6-foot-5 receiver.
"We did a great job, the receivers and I, of when stuff broke down, finding open windows," Brehaut said. "We found spots we could put a ball in, and that's something we can build on."
Early on, UCLA seemed to dictate the pace of the game, controlling the Sun Devils at the line of scrimmage by mixing up the pass and the run. The Bruins came out throwing on the first play, a Brehaut-to-Nelson Rosario eight-yard completion, and were able to throw ASU off.
Then once the Sun Devils took control on offense and the momentum shifted, UCLA's running game all-but disappeared.
"That's something we did real well in the first quarter, coming out and getting that 17-0 lead; we were doing what we wanted out there," Brehaut said. "Unfortunately we got away from that, and we started to struggle with the run game. We put ourselves in second- and third-and-longs, and that's when they sit back and wait on it. For us, it's about establishing ourselves.

Getting Personal
Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict is known for his penchant for hysterics. He didn't disappoint.
On a third-down draw run by Johnathan Franklin, right guard Eddie Williams drove Burfict 20 yards to the left sideline, maintaining the block the entire time, before throwing him out of bounds.
Burfict's teammate Junior Onyeali rushed to his defense, incurring a personal foul penalty, which then brought Burfict's wrath, and Burfict was flagged as well.
Didn't matter.
UCLA wasted a first-and-goal at the ASU 6-yard line, unable to convert a fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line.
On the ensuing drive, Bruin safety Tony Dye got a personal foul call on a Cameron Marshall first-down, 10-yard run, which turned into a 25-yard Sun Devil gain. Two plays later, Marshall broke off a 71-yard touchdown run.

News and Notes
UCLA senior kicker Kai Forbath tied John Lee's team record of 85 career field goals with a second-quarter 37-yard conversion. ... Sophomore running back Johnathan Franklin became UCLA's first 1,000-yard rusher since Chris Markey in 2006, finishing with 73 yards against the Sun Devils. ... UCLA junior receiver Taylor Embree's nine catches and 105 yards were both career highs, as was Nelson Rosario's nine grabs.

Bumps and Bruises
Freshman defensive tackle Cassius Marsh and sophomore cornerback Andrew Abbott both exited the game with head injuries.

Another Arizona State drive, more points.
ASU kicker Thomas Weber banged a 37-yard field goal to cap off a drive that started at the 50-yard line.

Drive Time: 6 plays, 31 yards, 1:58

Brock Osweiler hit Aaron Pflugrad for a 15-yard touchdown pass to pretty much ice the game for the Sun Devils. It was Osweiler's fourth touchdown of the game, and he's now completed 22-of-30 passes for 336 yards.

Drive Time: 6 plays, 27 yards, 1:32

After a long touchdown drive by UCLA, Arizona State kick returner Jamal Miles returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown.

UCLA put together a nice drive with Richard Brehaut getting a ton of action, hitting 6-of-9 passes, including a 21-yard touchdown pas off his back foot to Nelson Rosario to make it a four-point game.

Drive Time: 12 plays, 71 yards, 4:53

UCLA failed to capitalize on a 1st-and-goal from the six yard line after two ASU personal foul penalties on one play, and the Sun Devils then turned it around, with Cameron Marshall breaking off a 71-yard touchdown run to put ASU up 11.

Drive Time: 3 plays, 99 yards, 45 seconds

A 78-yard completion from Brock Osweiler to T.J. Simpson - the team's longest play of the year - set up the Sun Devils near the UCLA goal line, but the Bruins held strong, holding ASU to only a field goal.

Drive Time: 5 plays, 86 yards, 2:01

UCLA got another chance at a field goal after Kai Forbath's 52-yard attempt went awry, and Forbath hit a 37-yard kick to bring the Bruins within one.
Forbath ties John Lee's UCLA record with his 85th field goal, two away from NCAA record.

Drive Time: 7 plays, 56 yards, 1:03 seconds.

Brock Osweiler found a rhythm on that drive, and Arizona State continues to roll, now up 21-17 with 21 unanswered points.
Osweiler completed 8-of-9 passes on the drive and connected with Gerell Robinson on a seven-yard touchdown.

Drive Time: 11 plays, 63 yards, 3:24

Arizona State capitalized on good field position and bad tackling to close the gap to three.
After a UCLA punt gave the Sun Devils the ball at their 49-yard line, Brock Osweiler threw a 19-yard completion to Deantre Lewis and followed two plays later with a 32-yard touchdown pass to Mike Willie. Willie split Akeem Ayers and Tony Dye around the 10-yard line, then slipped an Alex Mascrenas tackle to get into the end zone.

Drive Time: 3 plays, 51 yards, 33 seconds

That was a quick response.
Just over a minute after UCLA went up 17-7, Arizona State jaunted down the field - the big play on a Brock Osweiler to Deantre Lewis pass that went for 70 yards - and scored on an Osweiler-to-Aaron Pflugrad 5-yard touchdown pass.

Drive Time: 4 plays, 78 yards, 1:10

Richard Brehaut delivered an absolutely perfect long bomb to Randall Carroll for a 46-yard touchdown pass after Alex Mascarenas recovered a fumble on fourth down, and the Bruins are rolling early.

Drive Time: 1 play, 46 yards, 8 seconds.

A Dalton Hilliard punt block set the Bruins up with prime field position, and after a first-play false start set them back five yards, they had to settle for a Kai Forbath 40-yard field goal.

Drive Time: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:14

Johnathan Franklin broke a 55-yard run and Richard Brehaut took a beautiful QB keeper right into the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown, and UCLA got on the board quickly with a first-drive touchdown.

Absolutely fantastic blocking on the drive by the right side of the offensive line.

Drive Time: 6 plays, 79 yards, 2:54

Check out the latest batch of weekly answers...

UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow will be on UCLA Countdown to Kickoff with my boy David Vassegh this morning at 10:30. Here's a link to the station: Check it Out

Just to explain the lack of basketball coverage this week; I traveled with the football team to Arizona State, rather than with basketball to New York, per my editors. It is more important to finish this beat, even though the team is struggling.

Here are some various stories in advance of today's matchup with VCU:

From ESPN LA: Bruins Hang Tight

From the LA Times: Fouls Keep Smith in Trouble

When the football season started, I predicted a record of around 6-6, but more likely 5-7, and around an 8th-place Pac-10 finish.

Despite some talented players and continuity in the coaching staff, the schedule was daunting and there was little room for error. If everything worked out perfectly, maybe - MAYBE - seven wins. As we have found out, the room was filled with error.

Flash forward to basketball season, and I want to issue another proclamation. Don't get your hopes up too high.

To get this out of the way: Villanova is a fantastic basketball team, and UCLA is not at that level yet. I say yet, because there is a lot of talent on the Bruins, and it could come around to a top level at some point this year. Don't consider Wednesday's loss a low point.

But with so many things countering the talent increase - a penchant for turnovers, depth issues, defensive miscues - there are simply going to be some baffling losses this season.

With Brendan Lane questionable for today's game against VCU with a knee injury, it is a constant reminder that this team is perilously thin. Combine that with Joshua Smith's continual foul issues and this team will have trouble at times against even the least-imposing Pac-10 teams.

I'm not saying don't be optimistic about this basketball season, but I've seen and heard some people talking about a deep NCAA tournament run, or a Pac-10 championship, and that's just not probable, despite any talent advantages.

The postseason may not start for another month, but around UCLA these days, the talk is on the playoffs.

At 4-6, the Bruins need two wins to become bowl eligible, perhaps not the scenario that they envisioned at the beginning of the season, but certainly a passable parting gift in what has been a turbulent season.

Simple as that.

Win at Arizona State today, with kickoff set for 12:30 p.m. at Sun Devil Stadium, and then defeat cross-town rival USC next Saturday, and UCLA goes bowling.
Lose either, and it will be a humbling holiday season.

"We have to come out and play with urgency," senior guard Darius Savage said. "It's hard when you manufacture it; you have to want to do it. You have to want to do it. You have to want to play football. The dog days of the season, the 10th, 11th, 12th week - it's hard. But we're in a position where if we don't win (today), we're going home for a long Christmas break."

They felt that urgency last week against Washington, and look where it got them.
UCLA took an early 7-0 lead with a 92-yard scoring drive, capped off by a 31-yard Johnathan Franklin touchdown run. And that's about it.

The Bruins managed just 163 total yards against the Huskies in a 24-7 loss, doomed by a passing game that continues to lack any semblance of rhythm.

Sophomore quarterback Richard Brehaut was 5-of-14 passing for 42 yards and an interception - a passer rating of 46.6 - before being felled by a third-quarter concussion, giving way to backups Darius Bell and walk-on Clayton Tunney, who likewise could not manufacture anything positive.

In fact, most was negative.

Bell was 0-for-3 with a game-clinching interception, returned for a touchdown by Quinton Richardson, a passer rating of negative-66.7, while Tunney was markedly better - 1-for-8 for 13 yards and an interception, a rating of 1.1.

"When we're on track, when we're doing the things we have to do, when we're executing, I feel like we're unstoppable," Franklin said. "It's always the little things that prevent us from being the offense we can. As a running back, all I can speak about is me missing reads, not breaking tackles, not doing the little things to be great."

TEMPE -

Hey guys,

Just wanted to wish everyone out there a wonderful Thanksgiving, full of football, family and mounds upon mounds of stuffing. Anyone who's seen my mugshot knows I definitely am a fan of stuffing.

Also wanted to say thanks to the loyal readers out there who engage in lively - sometimes too lively - conversation, those who share in the joy of college athletics and those who keep me on my toes.

Hard to believe, but I've only been on this beat for about 15 months now, and it has easily been the hardest 15 months of my sportswriting career. I hope you guys know I'm trying my best, and I will continue to do so.

A couple hearty thanks:
To you readers, because without you, there is no me. Trust me, us newspaper folks - and I'm a newspaper guy, not a blogger - know that we are only sustained because of our readership. I appreciate the dialogue on this blog, even though I might get frustrated (easily), and I know that about four billion sportswriters out there would kill for this job.

To the Micah Kias of the world, college athletes who handle adversity and pain and frustration with humility and class.

To my editors, Gene Warnick and Brian Martin, who put up with my primadonna crap and kick my butt when I need it, but more importantly, give me the room to screw up and learn from it.

To my dad, who though not a UCLA fan, still reads this blog every day and remains the best editor I've ever had.

To my girlfriend, Jen, who hear more venting than a A/C repair man. You're way too good to me, and anyone who's seen your picture would absolutely agree. I'm the luckiest guy in the world.

Again, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

UCLA sophomore quarterback Richard Brehaut has been medically cleared to return against the Sun Devils on Friday after suffering a concussion in the third quarter of UCLA's 24-7 loss to Washington last Thursday.

"There are all sorts of grades of concussions - and you're not talking to an expert here - all I know is there's a protocol they go through, and he cleared it very quickly," Neuheisel said. "There were times even during the game when he said he could go back in."

Not much else to update at practice today.

UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow's two-year contract extension was approved by the UC Regents last week, and the athletic department was notified by email late Monday afternoon.

The agreement was made in late-July after Chow had flirtations to return to USC after Lane Kiffin was hired.

UCLA ranks 111th in the country in total offens at 300 yards per game, 30th in rushing and 117th in passing. Last season, when the Bruins went 7-6 and won the EagleBank Bowl, they ranked 88th in total offense and 94th in scoring offense.

From UCLA:

UCLA redshirt junior Akeem Ayers, one of the best and most versatile defensive players in the nation, has been named one of five finalists for the Dick Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation's top collegiate linebacker.
 
The other four finalists are Bruce Carter of North Carolina, Justin Houston of Georgia, Luke Kuechly of Boston College and Von Miller of Texas A&M. The finalists were selected by a panel of 51 coaches, scouts and journalists supervised by Hub Arkush of Pro Football Weekly. Winners will be announced between December 5-8.
 
Ayers is currently fourth on the UCLA team with 59 tackles, first with 4.0 sacks and tied for first with 9.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions. He is T-22nd in the Pac-10 in tackles (5.90), T-12th in interceptions (0.20), T-ninth (tied) in fumbles forced (0.20), T-fifth (tied) in fumbles recovered (0.20), T-19th (tied) in passes defensed (0.60), T-eighth in tackles for loss (0.95) and T-16th in sacks (0.40).
 
In the opener at Kansas State, he recorded a career-high 11 tackles, including a sack. He also recovered a fumble and tipped a pass. Against Stanford, he made seven tackles, 0.5 for loss, and broke up a pass. Against Houston, he made five tackles, two for loss. He also intercepted a pass at the goal line and returned it 77 yards late in the first half.
 
At Texas, playing both linebacker and end, he made six tackles, including a sack and a second stop for loss. He caused a fumble with his sack and made his second interception of the year. In the win over WSU, he collected four tackles, including a sack on which he forced and recovered a fumble on WSU's final possession. In the win over Oregon State, he made six tackles, including one sack and a second stop for loss. He tied for the team high with eight tackles, including 0.5 for loss, at Washington.
 

Here's a cool story on former UCLA basketball player Mustafa Abdul-Hamid, who recently played Allen Iverson's team in Turkey: Check it out

* Richard Brehaut remained in a red, non-contact jersey, but all indications are he'll play against Arizona State.

* The passing game looked a lot better today than yesterday, with a few really pretty catches. Brehaut doesn't appear to have any lasting effects from the concussion.

* Offensive lineman Stan Hasiak (ankle) and Wade Yandall missed practice.

* I asked Rick Neuheisel about what he thinks about the cat-calls that the offense has become predictable:
"I understand that people look at us as the 3-yards and a cloud of dust deal," Neuheisel said. "Look, if you look at my background and know what I like to do, I'd prefer to be way more flamboyant as an offense. You have to do what's prudent to do. You have to understand what you have to do it with."

* Steve Sloan looked sharper at No. 2 middle linebacker than in recent weeks, though he got tangled up with Joseph Fauria on a pass route and had a bad fall.

From UCLA:

UCLA junior guard Malcolm Lee practiced this afternoon and is probable to play in tomorrow's contest when the Bruins face No. 7 Villanova in the second semifinal of the 2010 Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off in Madison Square Garden. The tip is slated for 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT) and the game will be televised live on ESPN2.

Lee sprained his left ankle in the sixth minute of the Bruins' win over Pepperdine on Nov. 15 and was unable to return to that contest. He missed UCLA's last game, a win over Pacific on Nov. 16 that advanced the Bruins to New York.

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* Richard Brehaut practiced in a red jersey as expected as he goes through the concussion protocol. Nothing too good or bad today out of him. Hit some throws, missed a couple, didn't see any major drops really.

* Joseph Fauria saw a little more action than usual at tight end and had a couple nice grabs.

* Dalton Hilliard and Dietrich Riley got extensive work at the two safety spots during 7-on-7s.

* Norm Chow had some interesting things to say about his status for next season, and I'll have a video up shortly.

* Johnathan Franklin and Malcolm Jones got the majority of reps at running back, and Derrick Coleman seems to be getting less and less.

* Rick Neuheisel on the kicking game, which has struggled recently:
"I'm not going to tell you he's anything but the best kicker. Uncharacteristically, he missed one that there wasn't really any other reason other than he didn't finish through the target. I'm not trading him."

From UCLA:

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. - UCLA's Reeves Nelson was named Pac-10 Men's Basketball Player of the Week for the week of Nov. 15-21, Commissioner Larry Scott announced today. The sophomore forward led UCLA to a pair of victories over Pepperdine and Pacific last week.

The Modesto, Calif., native turned in double-double performances in both games while scoring 20 or more points in both outings. He recorded 20 points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds in the Bruins' 79-69 win over Pepperdine. He also added a career-tying three assists and one block in the game. Against Pacific, Nelson registered career highs in points (21) and rebounds (14) in UCLA's win. Nelson averaged 20.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game for the week while shooting 69.2 percent from the field.

It is Nelson's first career Pac-10 Player of the Week honor and the 52nd weekly recognition for UCLA all-time.

The Bruins now travel to New York City to face No. 7 Villanova on Wednesday at 6 p.m. PT as part of the 2010 Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off.

Also Nominated: Derrick Williams, ARIZ; Trent Lockett, ASU; Jorge Gutierrez, CAL; Joevan Catron, ORE; Omari Johnson, OSU; Jeremy Green, STAN; Nikola Vucevic, USC; Justin Holiday, WASH; Faisal Aden, WSU

2010-11 Pac-10 Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Nov. 22 - Reeves Nelson, UCLA

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Thanks
Jon

Lost in UCLA's 3-0 start, lost in Malcolm Lee's ankle, and Reeves Nelson's scoring and Tyler Honeycutt's rebounding, has been the impressive defensive play of freshman guard Tyler Lamb.
Lamb started in place of Lee against the University of the Pacific in the Bruins' 57-44 win in the second game of the NIT Season Tip-Off West Regional, with Lee nursing a sprained ankle he suffered the night before in an opening-round win over Pepperdine.
With Lee's status in doubt for UCLA's next matchup - the semifinals of the preseason NIT at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday against No. 6 Villanova - Lamb again will need to provide the lock-down defense to compliment to Honeycutt and Nelson's offensive prowess.
Lamb's defense drew praise from UCLA head coach Ben Howland during a press conference on Friday, even drawing a comparison as a freshman to former Bruin great Aaron Afflalo.
"I haven't heard that. Wow. That's a great honor for him to say that," said Lamb, who played for Gary McKnight at Mater Dei. "It means a lot to me. Trying to play good defense, and having him put me on the other's team best player, it really shows that he has that trust in me."
Lamb helped the Bruins hold the Tigers to 25 percent shooting in the win, and just 13-percent on 3-pointers.
"He's really aggressive," UCLA junior point guard Lazeric Jones said. "He's a really aggressive player. He has a pretty strong body and he likes to really get up in people. He has great movement with his body, he's not just stuck in cement. He really can move."
Lamb is in the process of trying to find himself offensively after struggling in the Bruins' three-game season-opening winning streak. Lamb is averaging just 4.3 points per game and is shooting 25 percent from the field, including just one-of-10 on 3-pointers.
"I don't let that get to my head," Lamb said. "You're going to make shots and you're going to miss shots. I just try to take the shots that are open and if it's not open, just pass to my teammates.

Lee Update
Lee said on Thursday that he hopes to play against the Wildcats but that doctors aren't sure about the extent of his injury. He said, "in my mind, I'll be practicing by New York," and that he'd play even if not 100 percent.
"Right now, they don't know," Lee said. "The swelling has gone a lot and the pain has gone down a lot. There's been progress since Monday."

Biting The Big Apple
Pauley Pavilion isn't the Roman Coliseum, but it isn't exactly a two-person shed either.
Still, the Bruins are giddy at the prospects of playing in Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
Even those who've already played there.
"Really, it was nice - I liked how the crowd is," said UCLA junior point guard Lazeric Jones, who played in a showcase game at the legendary arena in high school.
Jones, who transferred to UCLA from Logan Junior College in Chicago, still gets a kick out of Pauley Pavilion every time he's on the floor, or at least the first five times this year.
"Coming here, every game has been exciting for me," Jones. "It might not be the biggest crowds, but every game is exciting to me out there."

UCLA REPORT CARD
RESULT: Washington 24, UCLA 7
RECORD: 4-6
WEEK 10 GPA: F+

QUARTERBACK
Trying not to add insult to injury, but Richard Brehaut was bad before concussion and Darius Bell, Clayton Tunney were worse without one.
F

RUNNING BACKS
Johnathan Franklin and Derrick Coleman are dancing too much, but behind this line, I get it.
D

WIDE RECEIVERS
WR coach Reggie Moore can't catch for them - and they need him to - but he can teach them to run good routes and fight for ball, and he isn't.
F

OFFENSIVE LINE
Somehow the running game dried up after second drive and pass protection was good. Can they be more schizophrenic?
D

DEFENSIVE LINE
Too often caught napping at the line of scrimmage, the undisciplined group lost gap control all game.
D

LINEBACKERS
Love the fire in Jordan Zumwalt, Sean Westgate, but they were blown out on some plays, simply pushed around.
C-

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Rahim Moore still talks best game around, but play hasn't matched the bravado.
D

SPECIAL TEAMS
What has happened to the UCLA kicking game? Just one-for-four last two weeks, though the one was a game-winner.
D-

COACHING
Absolutely stunning offensive play-calling, and the decision to go to walk-on Tunney was baffling.
F

Richard Brehaut, on his concussion:

"To be honest, I don't remember the plays after that. I can't remember what plays we ran. That's why they kept me out, because I couldn't remember. It's scary."

SEATTLE -

UCLA freshman defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa sat on the team bench with just minutes to play, eyes bulging, tears streaming down his face, screaming at his teammates.
"I refuse to give up!" Odighizuwa said. "I refuse to give up. This isn't over! It is not over!"

Maybe not, but UCLA's bowl chances might be.

After a 24-7 loss at Husky Stadium on Thursday night in front of 62,347 and a nationally televised ESPN audience, the Bruins now must win at Arizona State next Friday and at the Rose Bowl on Dec. 4 against USC just to become bowl eligible.

Down to its fifth-string quarterback by the end of the game - walk-on Clayton Tunney - had as much success through the air as the Hindenberg.

After sophomore quarterback Richard Brehaut suffered a concussion midway through the third quarter with the Bruins trailing 10-7, sophomore quarterback Darius Bell entered the game and promptly gave Washington a 17-7 lead.

Bell's interception to Quentin Richardson with six minutes, 22 seconds remaining, and Richardson jaunted his way into the end zone, ending Bell's night, and perhaps the Bruins' bowl hopes.

"We knew we had them," said Washington wide receiver Devin Aguilar, who led the team with 29 yards receiving. "Going into halftime, we knew we could make plays. We kept shooting ourselves in the foot, but we knew we were going to break out on offense, and eventually, they weren't playing hard like they were in the beginning."

For one quarter, UCLA looked like it would only need one more win the rest of the way.

The Bruins jumped on top of the Huskies early, riding running backs Johnathan Franklin and Derrick Coleman into the end zone on the team's second drive of the game.

After the teams traded three-and-outs to start the game, UCLA had the ball on its eight-yard line. Thirteen plays and 92 yards later, the Bruins had a 7-0 lead, Franklin breaking off a 31-yard touchdown run.

The UCLA defense responded in kind on Washington's next possession, as Aaron Hester wrestled a Jake Locker pass away from a Husky receiver, coming down with the interception on the Washington 31-yard line.

Two short runs gave UCLA a 3rd-and-5, and a Richard Brehaut incomplete pass left the Bruins on the 26-yard line, ready for a Kai Forbath field goal to stake them a 10-0 lead.
The kick was wide right and woefully short, and that was about as much fun as UCLA would have the rest of the game.

Washington took some time to score, but once the Huskies did, they didn't stop.
After holding Washington and star quarterback Jake Locker - who was medically cleared for the game on Tuesday after suffering a broken rib earlier in the year - to just 33 first-half yards, the Bruins lost the momentum.

They lost it hard, and they lost it fast.

Locker scored from three yards out midway through the second quarter, hurdling UCLA junior safety Rahim Moore into the end zone for the touchdown, and Washington held the Bruins to 11 yards over their next two drives before heading into the lockerroom with the game tied at seven.

Then the Huskies really turned on the pressure, allowing 46 second-half yards to the Bruins.

"We've seen all we can see on defense, nothing can take us by surprise," UCLA junior center Ryan Taylor said. "It wasn't a scheme thing. They ran a regular defense. It was us. I don't know man, it is what it is."

Someone forgot to tell UCLA the second half started.
Washington moved down the field with ruthless ease in the running game before a UCLA defensive stand near the goal line, holding the Huskies to an Eric Folk field goal.

Drive Time: 9 plays, 68 yards, 3:46

After a deep Richard Brehaut interception in Washington territory on third down, the Huskies took the ball 61 yard, capped by a Jake Locker three-yard touchdown run.
Locker hit the left side hard and got to the corner, leapfrogging a diving Rahim Moore into the end zone to tie the score.

Drive Time: 8 plays, 61 yards, 3:23

A 92-yard drive featuring a whole lot of Johnathan Franklin culminated in a 31-yard Franklin touchdown run, and the Bruins went up 7-0.
Richard Brehaut threw twice in 13 plays, both completions, and had a key four-yard run, and Franklin and Derrick Coleman did the rest.

Drive Time: 13 plays, 92 yards, 6:42

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Hey guys,

Just a reminder to follow me on Twitter and Facebook during the game, if interested. I post more often there than on here during a game, so you can stay up to date easier.

Twitter: @thecoolsub
Facebook: Inside UCLA page

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Washington defensive coordinator Nick Holt brings the heat against the Bruins: Check it out

UPDATED: Working link, sorry

A pretty cool web site - Stadium Journey - sent me a link to their latest adventure, the Rose Bowl, and asked me to share it with UCLA fans. The goal is to offer the fan experience to other fans, and that's awesome. Check it out

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Readers: Post your final score prediction and vote in the poll. Closest to actual score with correct winning team gets to give me 10 questions to ask a player of their choosing, within reason, for an upcoming video.

UCLA small forward Tyler Honeycutt, who had 15 points and 15 rebounds in the Bruins' 57-44 win over Pacific on Tuesday in the second round of the preseason NIT, was rated the No. 17 NBA Draft prospect today by Sports Illustrated: Moving Up

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Seattle Times Washington football reporter Bob Condotta asked me to help him his weekly opponent scouting report, and I gladly obliged.

Check it out here

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With team leader Malcolm Lee sidelined by a sprained ankle, the weight of the world - or at least the UCLA basketball team - was piled upon the sturdy shoulders of Reeves Nelson and Tyler Honeycutt.

They did not disappoint.

Nelson had 21 points and 14 rebounds, Honeycutt added 15 points and 15 boards, and UCLA put the clamps on the University of the Pacific in a 57-44 win in the second game of the NIT Season Tip-Off West Regional. UCLA will head to Madison Square Garden now for the semifinals, where No. 7 Villanova awaits.

The Bruins frustrated the Tigers into poor shot after poor shot, holding Pacific to 25-percent shooting, including 13 percent from 3-point range.

"I was really excited by our defense," said Howland after UCLA allowed just one Tiger in double-figures. "We held them to 25 percent; what else can you say? This is a team that executes better than anyone you'll see. Bob Thomason is not a good coach but a great coach."

With just eight scholarship players in the lineup, Howland needed to do some creative coaching himself.

By Jon Gold
Staff Writer

Tyler Honeycutt stood frozen, his hand prone in perfect follow-through position as his UCLA basketball teammates sprinted into the locker room.
He wasn't going anywhere.
He was going to savor the moment.
Honeycutt hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the half to put the Bruins up 40-24 over the University of the Pacific in the second game of the NIT Season Tip-Off West Regional, capping off an impressive 11-4 run to close the half.
The clutch 3-pointer put Honeycutt at 13 points for the half, along with seven rebounds and two assists.
More importantly, Honeycutt had just one turnover, reversing a startling trend from the team's first two games, when he had 12.
UCLA head coach Ben Howland has been lenient on Honeycutt early, knowing that his best athlete will fill up a stat sheet, sometimes too full.
"He obviously knows when he's turning the ball over," Howland said. "Except for that one that almost got away, he's a very good passer. It's singles. It's doubles. It's not going for the home run."
The Bruins already have a cleanup hitter.
Sophomore power forward Reeves Nelson continues to dominate offensively, finishing with 17 first-half points against the Tigers.
Using his left hand deftly, Nelson worked the interior, finishing layups with precision.
With 37 points in two games coming in, Nelson is rewarding his teammates - and Howland's - faith in him.
"I really have a lot of confidence with Reeves with the ball in his hands," Howland said.

Smith Finding His Own
Though not a factor early on, UCLA freshman center Joshua Smith showed what all the preseason hype was about against Pepperdine in a 79-69 win on Monday night.
Smith had all 13 of his points in the second half against the Waves, including 11 - and four offensive rebounds - in a four-minute spurt.
"I was just more aggressive," Smith said. "First half, I was kinda out there, played OK, flashing, asking for the ball but not demanding it. When we started getting the ball inside, they collapsed. The more they get it inside, the more opportunities that will open up."
Smith was similarly ineffective in the first half against the Tigers, held to zero points in five minutes after picking up two fouls.

Bright Lights
UCLA came out a bit sloppy against the Waves on Monday, and both Howland and Nelson inferred that it had something to do with the uncommon routine, with tip-off at 8 p.m.
Though the Bruins started 30 minutes later against Pacific on Tuesday, though, they had no such difficulties.
"A lot of it, when we came out, was our routine was kind of messed up," Nelson said."(It was) playing on TV the first time, the bright lights, and not really being prepared for that, combined with not playing that well to begin with."

Malcolm Lee is on UCLA's bench in street clothes as expected, but he's also in a walking boot on his left ankle. Tyler Lamb, as Ben Howland said last night, gets the start at shooting guard.

A Twitter post from Washington coach Steve Sarkisian makes Jake Locker's status pretty clear:

"Jake Locker is cleared to play! Let's make sure Husky Stadium is rockin' for the the entire nation to see. Go Dawgs!"

* With players just in helmets today - no pads, no shoulder pads - there's not much to update.

* Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times wrote tonight that Washington coach Steve Sarkisian said that Jake Locker has not been medically cleared to play, but all indications are that he'll go on Thursday against the Bruins.
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel believes so:
"It's the biggest joke of all time," Neuheisel said. "The man's playing. It's just the way it is."

* A lot of special team work today, a lot of passing against scout team, and Richard Brehaut looked really sharp. He had one pass to Josh Smith on the side of the end zone that he just wouldn't have made a few weeks ago.

* Nelson Rosario and Sheldon Price will see increased action, but I don't anticipate too much Steve Sloan as he works his way back in.

* There have been some questions and comments about Kevin Prince's eventual return, but Neuheisel said he didn't have a timeline yet, and I would be surprised if there is one this early. Microfracture surgery can be a lengthy rehab and combined with the other injuries, it won't be an easy road back for Prince.
"I know he's out for the year," Neuheisel said. "I'll worry about spring ball when that time comes."

UCLA's 79-69 win over Pepperdine last night was probably closer than it should've been - and if not for early and late turnovers, it would've been - but the Bruins got a good look at the potential of this offense.

For the first time in four games - I'm counting the exhibitions, even though I probably shouldn't - UCLA shifted its style midway through a game, and really got a good dose of Joshua Smith.

So much of Smith's high school domination was related to his size, and it really is impossible to ignore. People wondered what he would look like on the court, compared to older, more developed talent. He remains a beast.

Granted, Pepperdine is not a very talented team, returning nearly all its players from a 7-24 team.

But UCLA was feeding Smith, really going to him for an extended period of time. He responded.

With just under 11 minutes left in the game, Smith hit a free throw. Then he had a nice dunk. Then he grabbed an offensive rebound, and another offensive rebound and ensuing layup. Less than a minute later, another offensive rebound, another attempt, drawing a foul and hitting two free throws. Then another offensive rebound, another layup, offensive rebound and two more baskets, the last coming at 7:13.

In a span of about three-and-a-half minutes, Smith had 11 points and four offensive rebounds, and those two are tied together. When a big man does the dirty work inside, the perimeter players notice and reward him.

Smith wasn't perfect - the fouls have to be cut drastically, especially with UCLA having only eight scholarship players available - but for the first time this year, he's been highly effective. As a result, things opened up on the outside as well.

There were so many dimensions to the UCLA offense last night. Zeke Jones and Tyler Honeycutt driving. Smith and Reeves Nelson in the post. Honeycutt and Nelson transition, and even 3-point shooting from Brendan Lane, whose two threes were crucial.

Clearly, UCLA will face bigger and better bigs as the season progresses, but last night the Bruins showed different layers to the offense, and if that keeps up, they'll be in good shape.

Ben Howland glanced over at Tyler Honeycutt and smiled coyly, Honeycutt broke into a wide grin, and Reeves Nelson let out a hearty laugh.

This run and gun is sure fun.

UCLA used a 26-2 run between the first and second halves and went on to a 79-69 win over Pepperdine on Monday night at Pauley Pavilion in the second game of the NIT Season Tip-Off West Regional. Now the Bruins face the University of the Pacific tonight - the Tigers defeated Nevada, 64-53, in the opening game - with the winner advancing to Madison Square Garden early next week for the semifinals.

Midway through the first half, visions of Broadway started slipping away, a mini-spurt by the Waves putting UCLA down eight with 2 minutes, 40 seconds remaining.

To that point, the Bruins were sloppier than a pie-eating contest, turnovers galore, small forward Tyler Honeycutt with four alone.

Then UCLA put on the brakes and slowed things down.

Namely, Pepperdine.

The Bruins clamped down on the Waves, particularly super-scorer Keion Bell, who had a game-high 24 points, and turned up the heat on the other end, closing the half on a 10-0 run after a Brendan Lane 3-pointer with 23 seconds left.

"We just knew we were getting too lazy on defense," said Honeycutt, who had 16 points, four assists, four rebounds and four steals. "We knew we needed stops to get back in the game. Once we got them, we got easy transition points, and they weren't able to get back into the zone."

UCLA, though, almost never left it.

After Pepperdine's Jonathan Dupre tied the score at 36 less than a minute into the second half, the Bruins went on a 16-0 spurt, thriving in transition.

With shooting guard Malcolm Lee sidelined with a sprained ankle suffered in the first half, Honeycutt and Reeves Nelson took it to the Waves.

Nelson had 13 points in the second half - finishing with 20 - while working both in the up-tempo game and in the post, where he teamed with freshman center Joshua Smith to exploit the Pepperdine posts.

The incredibly inked sophomore power forward has been a key factor in UCLA's 2-0 start, leading the team at 18.5 points per game, hitting 14-of-16 shots in two games.

"That's a great percentage," Howland said. "He did a much better job in the second half of
sealing. First half he looked a little lost out there at one point. When he seals in there and demands the ball, we need to get it to him."

With Nelson hurting the Waves in transition and fellow sophomore power forward Brendan Lane chipping in on the outside - Lane's two 3-pointers and seven points were crucial - Smith was able to control the post.

Smith had 13 points and five offensive rebounds and blossomed midway through the second
half, shooing the Waves away like flies.
Smith's interior game then translated to the outside, where the Bruins turned on the jets once more.

"The first half, we weren't really pushing as much as we want to because we weren't getting stops," Honeycutt said. "They were getting loose balls. After all that, and when we started to make our run, (junior point guard Lazeric Jones) made a really good job of getting the outlet and going with it.

"Once we focused on that, it helped us break the game open."

ESPN analyst Fran Frischilla made a Twitter post a few minutes ago about UCLA:

"Do think that Zeke Jones and Josh Smith have made Bruins better at two critical spots--C and PG!"

He's right: Jones had 13 points and two assists, but a number of "secondary" assists, and Smith added 13 points and five rebounds.

Patrick Larimore doesn't have surgery scheduled for next week, but he will schedule it in the next couple of weeks. He said he got opinions from four or five doctors, who all said he'd need surgery or risk damage to his shoulder.

Of Nelson Rosario, Rick Neuheisel said he saw some ''old Nelson'' plays at receiver today. Rosario tweaked his ankle again last week and has practiced the last two days.

Washington has a ''black out'' planned Thursday. The school will paint the end zones black and players will wear all black uniforms. Also, students will be given black T-shirts.

UCLA junior guard Malcolm Lee took a bad fall near the Pepperdine basket and limped terribly running back up the court, and the officials called a timeout just to get him a sub. He's having his left ankle checked out, and I'll have an update when available.

UPDATE: Lee has a sprained ankle and will miss the game against U. of Pacific. X-rays were negative, and it's just a sprain, Ben Howland said.

Looks like Jake Locker will play Thursday. The Huskies quarterback said he's ready to go according to the Seattle Times. He just has to be medically cleared to participate.

In all likelihood, Larimore's surgery next week means he will miss spring practice, which starts in early April. Unless he were to recover WAY ahead of schedule, we can assume Larimore misses spring football, too.

Patrick Larimore will have surgery on his left shoulder next week, Rick Neuheisel just announced in his weekly news conference. The recovery time is an estiamted ta 5-6 months.

On a conference call today, Ben Howland was asked how long he thinks he'll coach before retiring.
``I hope I can coach another 10 years,'' he said. ``I'm 53. But who knows. When you're 63, that might be the new 53.''

UCLA practiced today - another Sunday - in prepartion for Thursday's game at Washignton. The sun was shining, but it's expected to rain on Thursday. The Bruins piped crowd noise into the practice, but they couldn't simulate rain. QB Richard Brehaut has never played a college game in the rain, but he said he played a couple of high school games in the rain so he knows what to expect when throwing a wet football.

On the injury front
* Patrick Larimore is questionable for Thursday's game.
* LB Steve Sloan and WR Nelson Rosario returned to practice.

UCLA had two players in for recruiting visits at today's Sunday practice - Montclair Prep lineman Stephan Nembot, who has verbally committed to Washington State, and Cerritos College defensive lineman Fou Fonoti.

The venerable Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times is reporting that Jake Locker has resumed practicing, though he has not cleared to play against UCLA on Thursday night: Locker Update

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Thanks
Jon

UCLA head coach Ben Howland could be heard in the highest corridors of Pauley Pavilion, all the way into the tunnels, the screams reverberating deep into the hearts of the Bruins.
"Push!" he screamed. "Push! Push!"

Their coach sounding more like an obstetrician than a basketball coach, the Bruins heeded his advice, chasing the Cal State Northridge Matadors out of the building with a 83-50 win.
Maybe they chased away their demons, too.

"We've put last year behind us," Howland said. "Maybe it's a motivator that we had such a poor year. But I'm not thinking about last year right now. We're moving on."

Last season, the Bruins fell hard and they fell fast and they fell so far down that they barely resembled a program that has won 11 national championships, much less one. A 14-18 season included losses to Long Beach State and Cal State Fullerton.

They weren't about to let similar embarrassment strike again.

UCLA came out with tremendous energy, flustering the Matadors into poor passing and even poorer shooting. With impressive length in the interior, the Bruins could afford to take chances on the perimeter, and they worked.

CSUN shot just three-of-19 from the field to start the game with 12 first-half turnovers, while UCLA jumped to a 27-9 lead midway through the half. The Bruins continued to choke out the Matadors, stretching the lead to as many as 42 in the second half.

"I thought our defense was good," Howland said. "We did a really good job early in the game. We doubled the post, and really took them out. ... It's hard; one reason I'm so happy is we have this young team, 22 practices, and we have so much more to put in."

If the Matadors couldn't shoot a fish in a barrel, UCLA took a bazooka and smashed the barrel into smithereens.

The Bruins shot 13-of-16 to start the game on their way to a 57-percent effort, with Reeves Nelson leading the way.

Nelson had 17 points as he thrived in transition, working the passing lanes alongside Tyler Honeycutt and Malcolm Lee.

Honeycutt added 16 points and six rebounds, but junior transfer point guard Lazeric Jones had an important 15 points and four assists, effectively mixing aggressiveness to the basket with a keen sense for the pass.

"I was trying my best to be aggressive today," Jones said. "I feel that when I'm aggressive, I'm a little more effective. When I'm laid back, coach gets on me. He wants me more aggressive."

It was not all sunshine and roses in UCLA's debut, though, and Howland screamed just as much about the Bruins' decision-making as their up-tempo game.
UCLA committed 22 turnovers - seven by Honeycutt alone - though they forced 27 by CSUN.

"Some of them, I didn't think we're turnovers - the double-dribble, the three-second call - but a lot of them I was going for the home-run pass," Honeycutt said. "I was trying to get the crowd going 'Oohee' a little more. I'll tone it down for the next game."

UCLA has downright looked fantastic in the first half of its season opener against Cal State Northridge, and its all started at the point.

Junior transfer Lazeric Jones has a game-leading 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including 2-of-2 3-pointers, and has dished three assists as the Bruins jumped out to a huge lead.

The Bruins have played suffocating defense early, executing double-teams and pressure defense to near-perfection, holding CSUN to 3-of-19 shooting to start the game while getting off to an 11-of-14 start themselves. The Matadors have committed 12 turnovers and have had four shots blocked while finishing the half on 28-percent shooting. CSUN didn't score its first point until almost five minutes into the half.

The only cause for concern early: Tyler Honeycutt continues to try to do a bit too much. Honeycutt had five first-half turnovers, and all five were preventable. While he had eight points and had four rebounds and three assists, head coach Ben Howland was clearly not pleased with him at times. No other Bruin had more than one turnover.

* OTHER OBSERVATIONS...

* Malcolm Lee's shot looks goooood tonight. Just beautiful release. Haven't seen him shoot all that much in two exhibition games, but you can see a noticeable difference in his rotation and height.

* Tyler Lamb is just such an efficient player, and you can see it early. Lamb had five points, three assists and two steals in nine first-half minutes.

* Have to like what you're seeing from the UCLA offense, but Joshua Smith needs to be more involved. Only one shot attempt on record, which he made, and two free throws. He's so big, just get him the ball a few times early.

From UCLA:

LOS ANGELES - The UCLA baseball program has received eight signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period, as announced Friday by head coach John Savage. Aided by assistant coaches Rick Vanderhook and T.J. Bruce, the seventh recruiting class under Savage includes six position players and two right-handed pitchers who will enroll at UCLA in the fall of 2011.

UCLA's latest recruiting class features right-handed pitchers Michael Kerman and Joe Ross and catcher Austin Hedges. The group of signees also includes outfielder Eric Snyder and infielders Tyler Goeddel, Chris Keck, Kevin Kramer and Shane Zeile.

"Our program is thrilled that these players have chosen to attend and play baseball at UCLA," Savage said. "Coach Vanderhook did a fantastic job putting together our latest recruiting class, and we look forward to the contributions that these players will make down the road."

Savage's first six recruiting classes at UCLA have each earned top-20 billing from Baseball America. Most recently, the Bruins' latest group of incoming freshmen has been ranked the No. 3 recruiting class, nationally, by Baseball America and No. 4 in the country by Collegiate Baseball.

UCLA BASEBALL SIGNEES (2011)

Name Position B/T Ht. Wt. Hometown (Previous School)

Tyler Goeddel INF/OF R/R 6-4 175 Hillsborough, Calif. (St. Francis HS)
Austin Hedges C R/R 6-1 185 San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (JSerra HS)
Chris Keck INF L/R 6-2 175 Pleasanton, Calif. (Amador Valley HS)
Michael Kerman RHP R/R 6-4 210 Beverly Hills, Calif. (Long Beach CC)
Kevin Kramer INF L/R 6-0 195 Turlock, Calif. (Turlock HS)
Joe Ross RHP R/R 6-2 180 Oakland, Calif. (Bishop O'Dowd HS)
Eric Snyder OF L/R 6-0 170 Huntington Beach, Calif. (Edison HS)
Shane Zeile INF R/R 6-1 175 Valencia, Calif. (Valencia HS)

Player Capsules after jump

We're nine games into the Pistol formation transformation at UCLA, and there's been enough time to make some initial observations of the offense.

We can say without a doubt that the running game has blossomed in the Pistol. Johnathan Franklin has put together a very good season, ranking 20th in the NCAA at 99 yards per game, and Derrick Coleman has been effective in relief. The run-blocking scheme has been fantastic at times, and credit is due to coach Bob Palcic, who has a patchwork group working in sync.

It seems hard to remember now, but the offensive line was supposed to have Kai Maiava and Jeff Baca. Even with Chris Ward maturing quickly and Micah Kia as a serviceable replacement on both sides, imagine the depth with the two would-be starters back.

But now we're starting to see some life in the passing game, which was left for dead earlier this year. Norm Chow has started moving the pocket a bit more, and Richard Brehaut has been improving daily with his pocket awareness and his playmaking ability - which just has so much to do with confidence - and you're seeing some rejuvenation in the receiving corps.

I really wonder what we'd be seeing now if either Kevin Prince or Brehaut simply had the whole season at 100 percent, how far along the offense would be. I wonder what it will look like next season, with another offseason to tinker and perhaps some recruits tailored to the offense, like potential future F-back Junior Pomee.

What do you guys think? Has the change been worth it? Do you see it as the offense of the future or a gimmick? Can UCLA be successful in the Pac-12 running this year-in, year-out?

From UCLA:

The Pac-10 Conference office today announced the 2011-12 Pac-12 Conference men's and women's basketball schedule, the first to include new members Colorado and Utah.

In October, the Pac-12 athletic directors and CEOs approved an 18-game format in which each member school will play seven opponents, including its traditional rival, in a home-and-home arrangement and play the remaining four schools once - two at home and two on the road. In 2012-13, the sites for those four games will be reversed.

In 2011-12, UCLA's men will play the following schools twice - USC, Arizona, Arizona State, California, Stanford, Washington and Washington State. In addition, the Bruins will host Colorado and Utah and travel to Oregon and Oregon State. The following year, UCLA will host Oregon and Oregon State, travel to Colorado and Utah and play the same seven schools home-and-home.

In 2011-12, UCLA's women will play the following schools twice - USC, Arizona, Arizona State, California, Stanford, Washington and Washington State. In addition, the Bruins will travel to Colorado and Utah and host Oregon and Oregon State. The following year, UCLA will travel to Oregon and Oregon State, host Colorado and Utah and play the same seven schools home-and-home.

The schedules are still subject to change for television.

Here is UCLA's 2011-12 Pac-10 men's basketball schedule:

Date Site
Thu., Dec. 29 @ California
Sat., Dec. 31 @ Stanford
Thu., Jan. 5 Arizona
Sat., Jan. 7 Arizona State
Sat., Jan. 14 @ USC
Thu., Jan. 19 @ Oregon State
Sat., Jan. 21 @ Oregon
Thu., Jan. 26 Utah
Sat., Jan. 28 Colorado
Thu., Feb. 2 @ Washington
Sat., Feb. 4 @ Washington State
Thu., Feb. 9 Stanford
Sat., Feb. 11 California
Wed., Feb. 15 USC
Sat., Feb. 18 @ St. John's
Thu., Feb. 23 @ Arizona State
Sat., Feb. 25 @ Arizona
Thu., Mar. 1 Washington State
Sat., Mar. 3 Washington
Mar. 7 - Mar. 10 Pac-10 Tournament @ Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

Here is UCLA's 2011-12 Pac-10 women's basketball schedule:

Date Site
Thu., Dec. 29 California
Sat., Dec. 31 Stanford
Thu., Jan. 5 @ Arizona
Sat., Jan. 7 @Arizona State
Sat., Jan. 14 USC
Thu., Jan. 19 Oregon State
Sat., Jan. 21 Oregon
Thu., Jan. 26 @ Utah
Sat., Jan. 28 @ Colorado
Thu., Feb. 2 Washington
Sat., Feb. 4 Washington State
Thu., Feb. 9 @ Stanford
Sat., Feb. 11 @ California
Sat., Feb. 18 @ USC
Thu., Feb. 23 Arizona State
Sat., Feb. 25 Arizona
Thu., Mar. 1 @ Washington State
Sat., Mar. 3 @ Washington
Mar. 7 - Mar. 10 Pac-10 Tournament @ Galen Center & Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

UCLA sophomore power forward Reeves Nelson practiced fully on Thursday and is expected to play tomorrow in the Bruins' season opener against Cal State Northridge.

Freshman guard Matt Carlino, who is recuperating from a concussion, is considered questionable for the Matadors.

Junior point guard Lazeric Jones needed two stitches after a collision in practice today, but he returned back to practice and will play tomorrow.

* With a long weekend for recruiting and recuperation ahead, UCLA ended practice with a spirited scout-team game.

Some quick thoughts:

Eric Kendricks and Aramide Olaniyan simply looked on another level than anyone else on the field during the game. Kendricks had two big stops, Olaniyan had another, and they were right in the thick of most other plays. You can see a lot of talent in those two kids.

Wesley Flowers is absolutely massive, and once he packs some weight on, he could become a force. He needs to pack on good weight and learn how to use it, but I probably did a quadruple-take when he was on the field for the first time.

* Nelson Rosario tweaked his ankle in Tuesday's practice and hasn't been much of a factor the last two days.

* Stan Hasiak also tweaked his ankle and missed practice, walking around in a boot.

* Patrick Larimore is still getting opinions on his shoulder and Neuheisel said he would have more information on Sunday at the next practice.

* Malcolm Jones has gotten a ton of work this week, and got a bunch today, too. Looked good but I still see hesitation in hitting the hole, and that's the most important trait in a zone blocking scheme. I think he just needs to take more chances.

* Practice lagged a little bit toward the middle - definitely not the energy of the last two days - and it came to a head during special teams work, when coach Frank Gansz had the best line of the year: "What is this?!? F***ing Dancing with the Stars?!?"

* Tight end Cory Harkey missed practice for the second straight day with a case of food poisoning.

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It's hard to tell who's more excited that Norman Powell is joining the UCLA basketball program - Norman Powell or Ben Howland?

Lincoln High (San Diego) shooting guard, rated the No. 15 off-guard in the country by Scout.com, signed a national letter of intent with the Bruins on Wednesday afternoon, finally sealing the deal on what had been a heated recruitment.

"I'm overexcited," said Powell, who verbally committed to UCLA in September over Arizona and San Diego State. "Words can't explain how I feel right now. I'm so relieved I get to go a college I've been looking to since I was little."

Howland, who said he was just "really excited" about Powell joining the program, gets a highlight-reel caliber athlete who should thrive in the Bruins' increasingly up-tempo offense. Powell averaged 19.7 points and 4.9 rebounds as a junior while leading the Hornets to a 29-2 record and a CIF Division II state championship.

"He's one of the most athletic kids that we will have had in this program in a while and one of the most athletic kids since I've been here," Howland said. "He's very explosive and has outstanding quickness and will be an excellent defensive player. He's very good at making plays, both for himself and his teammates."

With only one scholarship currently available for next year - UCLA has 10 scholarship players but two more will go to David and Travis Wear, who are currently redshirting after transferring from North Carolina during the offseason - Howland searched extensively for a high-level point guard.

The No. 4 point guard in the nation, Quinn Cook of Oak Hill Academy, spurned the Bruins for Duke last week, and UCLA is not likely to seek another until perhaps the spring.
But Powell is excited to head to UCLA on a solo mission, hoping to make an immediate impact.

"That's the best feeling right there," Powell said. "I'm the only player in the class right now, and they're looking for me to show that ability. It's exciting, but it's a lot of pressure. I know a lot of people are looking at me to change UCLA basketball and take them another step further. I like that Coach Howland is looking to me so early."

If the Bruins continue to push the pace, Powell could get his shot.

The team is employing a more up-and-down philosophy than in recent history, with Howland realizing he had the athletes to make the transition.
He will add another next season.

"A lot of people talked to me about why I made my decision, that they're a slow team," Powell said. "They're really trying to get an up-tempo pace. I feel like I can step in there and be that leader in that offense. That's my style, and I can't wait to help."

The second straight highly energized, highly spirited practice on a cold Spaulding Field.

* Akeem Ayers finally seems to be emerging from his month-long coma. He was so banged up all over for so long that he kind of lost that spark, that nose for the ball - I think he was having a hard time ignoring everything and just playing like he plays - but it was there on Wednesday. He had two near-picks, and was tossing guys around.

* Richard Brehaut continues to throw better and better, with more authority every day. He's not always on-point, but the confidence is getting there. That being said, Darius Bell had a pretty good practice, too, and they're trying to get him some extra work.

* In general, the defense/defensive line did a really good job of initiating contact and pushing the offensive line around.

* Against a hybrid first/second unit, Malcolm Jones had a few beautiful runs, including a breakaway touchdown where he turned on the jets.

* Rick Neuheisel said after practice that Patrick Larimore was giving his MRI to other doctors for second opinions, but surgery is still an option for the labrum issue. At this point, it seems to be pretty up in the air, but I was told yesterday that he would likely opt to continue rehab.

* At one point during special teams work, Gansz had them do one-on-one sprint tackling drills, and the players erupted. Seems like the coaching staff is lightening up a little bit over the last few weeks of the year, kind of like last year, and it's having a noticeable effect.

There was no waffling, but for a little while, Sam Tai, well, got a little nervous today.
He had his mind made up, he had a conversation last night that sealed the deal, but just knowing that he was going to verbally commit the next several years of his life to a football program was caused a few butterflies to stir.

Not enough to deter Tai from verbally committing to UCLA today at a press conference at Liberty (Nev.) High.

"I got a little nervous," Tai said with a sigh of relief. "I made my decision, and I talked to Coach Neuheisel last night and made it official. But it was hard, coming between Arkansas and UCLA. I built a great relationship with the coaches at Arkansas, but UCLA came out on top."

Tai, who plans to enroll in January, said that UCLA's academic tradition is what won him over - "My mom has raised me to always have a backup plan, football won't last forever, and that UCLA degree speaks for itself" - but that he has been paying close attention to the team this season as well.

Tai has been to visit several times, including the spring game and against Oregon State, and he says Neuheisel's personal touch in coaching and recruiting helped sway him.

"I like the way Coach Neuheisel coaches," Tai said. "I was out for spring practice, watched the spring game, and I love their style of play. He gets the players fired up, and he treats them like their one of his own."

Tai has avoided riding the Bruins' season-long roller-coaster, choosing to remain neutral when analyzing the season's success and failures. Tai isn't looking at 2010, but beyond, particularly on the defensive line, where the UCLA coaching staff has concentrated extensively the last two seasons.

"I put all the wins and losses aside," Tai said. "I look at how the program will develop in the future and what my impact can be for the program. When they talked to me, they expressed that they really needed me, and I felt it when I was out there. I definitely feel the importance from them on the line."

Sam Tai, the No. 58 defensive end in the country according to Scout.com, has committed to UCLA at a ceremony at Liberty (Nev.) High.

Tai becomes UCLA's ninth verbal commitment, joining QB Brett Hundley, tight end Raymond Nelson, linebacker Aaron Wallace, wideout Brandin Cooks and offensive linemen Jacob Brendel, Torian White, Ben Wysocki and Marc Mustoe.

When all is said and done, UCLA should have about 15-17 scholarships available next year.

ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay came out with his first mock draft in what feels like forever, and UCLA juniors - linebacker Akeem Ayers and safety Rahim Moore - are still projected to go really early.

Ayers, who has battled injuries the past month or so, was tabbed at No. 11 by the San Diego Chargers.

McShay also has Moore at No. 30 to Baltimore, to be groomed as Ed Reed's replacement.

Obviously, the draft is months away, but it's pretty interesting to see that despite less-than-spectacular seasons for both - though, again, Ayers has been hampered, while Moore simply hasn't been thrown at as often - they're still projected quite high in the draft.

I was feeling pretty under the weather last night when I got home from football/basketball, so I didn't have a chance to post some more thoughts from UCLA's 84-59 win over Cal State Los Angeles. Here they are:

* The more I watched Tyler Lamb, the more I saw a future college star. He's a long way from the NBA, of course, but I was really impressed by his offensive capabilities last night. When I watch a guy on offense, I watch three things: Is he a one-trick pony? Can he create for himself? Does he know how to use his body? Against a far inferior opponent, granted, Lamb was no-yes-yes, which you want. Early in the game, he had a drive and layup where he absorbed contact and kind of floated, adjusting his attempt and buying time. Very nice.

* If UCLA gets half the production it got from Brendan Lane last night on a game-by-game basis, they should be very good in the post. Lane was really good last night - not great, but really good - and I'll need to see him against bigger, stronger, faster opponents, emphasis on bigger and stronger, but he is a huge upgrade over the backup four last season. That's the main difference between last year and this year - the elite talent still might not be what it was during the back-to-back-to-back run, but there seems to be much better depth than last year.

* Still curious to see how the point guard battle shakes out. Zeke Jones and Jerime Anderson were mediocre last night against another point guard, and there are a lot of quick guards in the Pac-10. Now, one key difference from last year - when a PG blew past Jerime Anderson last year, they had to handle...Nikola Dragovic... in the post. Now, they have Joshua Smith and Anthony Stover. Upgrade. But still, on-ball defense has got to be a major concern so far.

* Offensively, Jones and Anderson contrast each other: Jones doesn't push it up the floor as well, but he reads the defense and has some good offensive moves. Anderson can get up the floor, but sometimes doesn't know where to go with it. At least early on, both are going to play major minutes.

* You have to wonder if teams are going to go with a Hack-a-Joshua philosophy. Maybe CSULA was just a really, really bad defensive team in the post - and honestly, that's probably just it - but the big man is just so big that it's almost impossible not to foul him in the post. He goes up really strong and initiates contact, but he'll need to be better at finishing and-ones to really make teams pay.

* Last thing: It might be time to temper the expectations for Malcolm Lee and Tyler Honeycutt. Lee has definitely gotten more patient with the ball - zero turnovers in two games - but for all the hype about being a potential first-round pick this year, the production isn't there. Maybe it will come, but against Westmont and CSULA, you'd expect a potential first-round pick to absolutely get into beast-mode. Lee wasn't. He was a bit passive offensively, not looking like a guy who at times will need to score 25 points to get the Bruins over the hump. Remember when he had 49 points in two games, against NMSU and Notre Dame? He didn't have more than 18 in any other game last year. Honeycutt, meanwhile, still looks very raw on the court sometimes. He's gotten so good at what he's good at - if that makes sense - that he can mask his deficiencies pretty well. But if I'm Howland, I pull him every time he makes a circus pass or goes for style over substance. Even if it's for 30 seconds, he needs to learn that lesson.

* I'm excited to see how this team performs in a real contest, because I truly think they have the potential to be a good team this year. I have them pegged at around 20 wins and anywhere from a fourth to first place finish in the Pac-10. If Howland can shore up the defense, there's more room for optimism. As of now, third is probably about right.

Just got off the phone with Jason Bryant, Norman Powell's coach at Lincoln High, and Powell is signing in about a half hour with UCLA. We're supposed to talk shortly after.

It's an important get for the Bruins - not the point guard you all so covet, but a great player in a miniature recruiting class.

Here's his recruiting profile: Powell

* Lazeric Jones made less of an impression on me in the first half than he did last game. He had two points on 1-of-4 shooting in the first half and one assist, but he also didn't push the ball very well and he was blown by a couple times on defense.

* Jerime Anderson wasn't much better. He had no points and one assist in 11 minutes, but he had a very nice pick-pocket late in the half.

* Very, very impressed by Tyler Lamb early. He had a beautiful drive-and-finish, using his body to keep off the defender. He a perfect 3-pointer and a 10-footer with nice release, finishing with eight points in the half.

* Brendan Lane looked really good at starting power forward, leading all scorered with 12 points in the first half. He ddisplayed an array of offensive talents - a couple of good outside shots, a really nice dunk in transition and-one, and he added three assists.

* It's pretty clear that whoever is in at power forward will get some good offensive looks.

* Anthony Stover had back-to-back baskets and added a block, and he looks infinitely better at backup center than UCLA's option last season.

* Malcolm Lee didn't make too much noise - just five first-half points - but he continues to pass well and appears more patient than last season. He had a pretty finish off a post assist from Joshua Smith.

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UCLA's 2010 home date with the USC Trojans on Dec. 4 will kick-off at 7:30 p.m. The game will be shown nationally on Fox Sports Net.

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Fire away with questions for this week's Q&A. Please don't post new questions on the answers section, because I don't always check the comments. Save them for next week.

Thanks
Jon

Congrats to bruwin5931 for being the closest in our Poll of the Week, picking UCLA to win 24-21.

bruwin5931 - please email me 10 questions for any UCLA football player at jon.gold@dailynews.com.

By Jon Gold
Staff Writer

One second.
Count it.
One.

A snap, a gust, a fleeting moment, 1/3600th of a college football game.
Maybe long enough for a coach to save a season.
Maybe long enough for a team to find faith.

Definitely long enough for a legend to chase away his demons.
After Kai Forbath missed two field goals - the third time in his illustrious career that he's failed twice - the UCLA senior kicker just ached for one more shot against Oregon State on Saturday night at the Rose Bowl.

One more chance and one more second.
He got it.

After the scoreboard hit zeroes after a Richard Brehaut-to-Randall Carroll 12-yard completion at the Beaver 34-yard line, replay officials put a second back on the clock.

Plenty of time for Forbath to hit a 51-yard kick as time expired, lifting the Bruins to a 17-14 win over Oregon State and erasing a three-game losing streak in front of 64,330.

"In my head, we were going to overtime, but once they put that second back on, then its, alright I'm going to start praying," Brehaut said. "I'm going to start hoping to God that Kai makes this, and I knew he would. He's not the best in the country for nothing."

From UCLA:

UCLA Sophomore forward Reeves Nelson has a strained right hip flexor and has missed today's practice. He is listed as day-to-day. The Bruins are off on Sunday and practice on Monday from 3-6 p.m., before returning to the court for their final tune-up against Cal State Los Angeles on Tuesday, Nov. 9. UCLA opens the 2010-11 season with Cal State Northridge on Nov. 12.

After looking like the Bruins would have to settle for a field goal at the tail end of a long drive, an Oregon State late hit penalty gave UCLA a first down.
Two plays later, Johnathan Franklin capitalized.
Franklin had a two-yard touchdown run to cap a 70-yard, 20-play drive, one in which the Bruins passed just twice.

Drive Time: 70 yards, 20 plays, 9:28

After a very questionable unnecessary roughness penalty against Jordan Zumwalt, Oregon State capitalized on the ensuing play.
Marcus Wheaton took an end-around reverse for a 22-yard touchdown run, to put the Beavers up seven.

Drive Time: 80 yards, 9 plays, 3:40

After a Jeff Locke 50-yard punt put the ball at the Oregon State 24-yard line, the Beavers drove 76 yards in four plays to tie the game at seven.

Ryan Katz had pass completions of 20, 11 and 28 yards, the last a touchdown throw to tight end Joe Halahuni.

Drive Time: 76 yards, 4 plays, 1:24

Turns out to get the running game started, UCLA had to turn it over to ....the passer?
Richard Brehaut had four carries for 45 yards and capped off a 72-yard, 8-play drive with a seven-yard touchdown run, putting the Bruins up early.

Drive Time: 72 yards, 8 plays, 3:32

From UCLA:

Freshman center Joshua Smith had an X-Ray of his right thumb this afternoon and it was negative. He has a sprained right thumb and is listed as day-to-day.
 
Smith dove for a loose ball early in the first half in the Bruins' 95-59 exhibition win over Westmont last night (Nov. 4) and sprained his thumb. The injury forced an early ending to his night, finishing with nine points and four rebounds in just eight minutes of action.
 
The Bruins have one more exhibition game on Nov. 9 against Cal State Los Angeles before opening the season at home with Cal State Northridge on Nov. 12. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. for both contests.

In today's basketball notebook, I accidentally typed in Saturday instead of Sunday for this weekend's Dribble for the Cure at UCLA. So to reiterate, it's on Sunday morning, not Saturday.

------------------------

Dribble For The Cure III' will take place Sunday, Nov. 7 at historic Pauley Pavilion. Once again, Ben Howland's UCLA men's basketball team, Nikki Caldwell's Bruin women's basketball squad and the UCLA Athletic Department will join forces with UCLA basketball alumnus John Vallely, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) and the Cancer Research Program at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA for the third annual fund-raising event.

Proceeds will be directed to finding a cure for pediatric cancer and supporting the treatment for children with cancer at the Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA. Last year, in its second season, `Dribble For The Cure II' featured over 750 registered participants dribbling a basketball across the UCLA campus and raising more than $90,000. That was an increase in donations from the first event, held in 2008, when nearly 400 participants `Dribbled For The Cure' and raised approximately $72,000 for PCRF and the Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA.

"We would like to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation of Coaches Nikki Caldwell and Ben Howland; John Vallely; the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and UCLA Athletics for their support," said Dr. Kathy Sakamoto, chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA. "`Dribble For The Cure' has meant so much to us and to the patients and their families. Our goal is to cure all children with cancer and minimize the effects of treatment. This event makes a significant impact in improving the lives of all of our patients."

The event will start at UCLA's Drake Stadium where activity booths and entertainment will be featured. At the Dribble's conclusion in Pauley Pavilion, participants will have the opportunity to meet for autographs and pictures with the UCLA women's and men's basketball teams, along with student-athletes from other Bruin athletic squads. Each participant is asked to bring their own basketball and "Dribble For The Cure" on a designated 1.2 mile course through the UCLA campus.

Team (a minimum of 10) and Individual participants will be asked to collect pledges for their `Dribble' and will become eligible for prizes based on pledge amounts turned in by the day of the event (Nov. 7). Each participant will also receive an official `Dribble For The Cure' t-shirt and goodie bag.

"Nikki and I want to thank everyone who has participated the last two years and donated money in our continuing effort to finding a cure for children's cancer," Howland said. "Joining forces with John and his family, the PCRF and the Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA makes this a very memorable event for our teams, our athletic department and the Bruin community. In 2009, we had more participants and raised more money than in 2008. This year our goal is to raise even more money to truly make a difference in the lives of children suffering from cancer. Thanks again to everyone who has donated to this great and worthy cause."

For many years, Vallely and his family have been on the front line in the battle against cancer. A starting guard on John Wooden's UCLA 1969 and 1970 NCAA Championship men's basketball teams and a 2006 inductee into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame, Vallely is a cancer survivor and a member of the Board of Directors for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. In 1991, John and Karen Vallely lost their daughter Erin to cancer at the age of 12.

"As `Dribble For The Cure' approaches its third year, I am thrilled with last year's results and look forward to an even greater performance on Nov. 7," Vallely said. "Everyone who has attended this event the last two years has truly enjoyed their experience. How can you beat a morning of making a difference in the world of children's cancer and meeting the coaches and players for the UCLA women's and men's basketball teams? Please join us as an individual, or form a team, as we dribble through the beautiful UCLA campus, completing our journey to the floor of Pauley Pavilion. As we continue our efforts to raise money to find a cure for pediatric cancer, I hope to see you on Nov. 7 for our terrific event."

For more information and to register for UCLA's "Dribble For The Cure III" event on Nov. 7, CLICK HERE or call 949-859-6312 or 800-354-7273.

Dribble For The Cure III/Sunday, Nov. 7/Pauley Pavilion
Schedule
8:30 a.m. - Registration
10:00 a.m. - Welcome Ceremony at Drake Stadium
10:15 a.m. - Start Line "Dribble For The Cure III"
11:15 a.m. - Finish Line Celebration at Pauley Pavilion

UCLA might have pulled off its biggest win of the year today, as the 2011 schedule was released today with one extremely surprising - and beneficial - tidbit: The Bruins won't play Oregon or Washington in the regular season until 2013.

With the conference realignment creating two divisions - the North (Washington, Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, Cal, Stanford) and the South (UCLA, USC, Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Utah) - the big stipulation for Pac-12 commissioners was the decision to maintain the California ties, and have the football teams maintain yearly matchups.

That meant that UCLA and USC would only face two of the remaining four Pac-12 North teams per season, and most thought that the two sets of two teams would play in a rotational basis, such as the following for UCLA:

2011
at Oregon State
home Washington State

2012
at Washington
home Oregon

2013
at Washington State
home Oregon State

2014
at Oregon
home Washington

Instead, the UCLA release states that the team will play the same Pac-12 opponents in 2012, while reversing the sites. That means the Bruins will avoid matchups with probably the best conference opponent for the next two seasons, as well as a formidable opponent that is gaining steam in recruiting.

Now, Oregon State is no patsy, and I expect them to field strong competition in the 2011 and 2012 seasons. But Washington State is Washington State, and, well, Oregon is Oregon.

Huge win for UCLA.

UCLA will kickoff its first Pac-12 slate with a pair of familiar non-conference foes, and the introduction of two new conference enemies.

The Bruins head to Houston to open the season on Sept. 3, then head back to the Rose Bowl for back-to-back matchups with San Jose State and Texas, which will look to avenge a 31-13 loss in Week 4.

Then comes the Pac-12 schedule, with road matchups at Oregon State and Stanford followed by a home game with Washington State.

After a bye week, UCLA has a Thursday battle at Arizona before hosting Cal and Arizona State.

The Bruins then take their first new visit of the new conference with a road game at Utah on Nov. 12, and then host new conference rival Colorado the following Saturday.

Then its the big matchup at the Coliseum with USC on Nov. 26, and the first Pac-12 championship game on Dec. 3, with the site to be determined by 2011 standings.

Sept. 3 at Houston

Sept. 10 SAN JOSE STATE

Sept. 17 TEXAS

Sept. 24 at Oregon State

Oct. 1 at Stanford

Oct. 8 WASHINGTON STATE

Oct. 20 at Arizona (Thurs.)

Oct. 29 CALIFORNIA

Nov. 5 ARIZONA STATE

Nov. 12 at Utah

Nov. 19 COLORADO

Nov. 26 at USC

Dec. 3 Pac-12 Championship

Readers: Post your final score prediction and vote in the poll. Closest to actual score with correct winning team gets to give me 10 questions to ask a player of their choosing, within reason, for an upcoming video.

Before I posted videos with Ben Howland and some players, including my first video interview with Anthony Stover - who is an awesome kid, I found out - here are some more thoughts...

* I was a little surprised that both point guards played such extensive minutes, and I think it's crucial, at least early on without a clear-cut winner, to play both so much. Lazeric Jones had 20 minutes, Jerime Anderson had 17, and I think the battle has pushed both of them to better performance. If Howland handed one of them the keys now, I think the other would start to fade. Neither played spectacularly last night - both were above-average offensively and had a few defensive issues - but it appears that they're in better shape than last season at the point.

* Not sure how they can continue to maintain that they're a good 3-point shooting team, then go 3-for-21 from 3-point range, and then still maintain that they shoot better in practice. We can't watch practice, besides the one that was open to boosters and media, so I guess we need to take their words for it. I don't see it, though. Many of the guys were wide open for 3-point attempts and missed badly. Tyler Honeycutt airballed a shot. Reeves Nelson continues to shoot threes like he's Steve Kerr when he has the range of Miranda Kerr.

* The UCLA defense has a long, long, long way to go. Basically, it's in Iceland right now. Some truly poor rotations, some bad help defense, and really, a simple inability to stay in front of the man. Now, the positive from this is the fact that UCLA came away with 25 turnovers, and they certainly were harassing Westmont guards. But what happens when they try to man-up on Isaiah Thomas or Ty Abbott?

* Really, really impressed by Anthony Stover and Tyler Lamb. Stover was incredibly active defensively - the four blocks don't tell the story - and Lamb made up for some freshman lapses with poise and solid make-up defense. Lamb had a really pretty pick-pocket steal, ran back on offense and got a reverse layup and foul, all in about 12 seconds. But, he was also abused twice on backdoor cuts that showed his age.

* I need to see more of Matt Carlino to determine if he can find a true spot in the rotation this year, but from the looks of last night, it's a no.

* Malcolm Lee's statline - 12 points, seven assists, zero turnovers - was telling to me. I watched Lee act almost exclusively as a facilitator, really choosing pass over shot. That wasn't the case last season. If UCLA holds true to this up-tempo game, Lee will need to continue to look pass first, and if he keeps his turnovers down, that's pretty impressive.

This is from an Inside UCLA reader who happens to be a member of Sigma Nu, and part of their battle with Kappa Kappa Gamma to help find a bone-marrow donor for Krissy Kobata:

Over the past few years Sigma Nu and Kappa Kappa Gamma have teamed up to put on Bone Marrow drives on campus for a girl named Krissy Kobata. Her father was a Sigma Nu at UCLA and her mother, a Kappa at UCLA.

Krissy suffers from a rare blood disease called MDS that requires her to get a bone marrow transplant and unfortunately, in the 11-million person database, there's not a single match so she's resulted in putting on these drives, hoping that her match walks up and registers.

In recognition of their efforts for this cause, UCLA's Sigma Nu and Kappa Kappa Gamma have been entered into this year's Stay Classy awards and need people to vote so that they can win for their category.

The winner will receive $10,000 for their cause and a spot on NBC. This would give them the opportunity to promote awareness for the Bone Marrow Registry, inspire more people to register, and hopefully find Krissy a match and save her life.

All you have to vote is:

1) Go to the website below, click on the "UCLA Sigma Nu/Kappa Kappa Gamma" icon
2) Then select "Submit My Ballot"

Vote for SN/KKG

That's it!

Please take a second and help this worthy cause!

Smith is listed as day-to-day after suffering a sprained right thumb in the team's 95-59 win over Westmont, and he'll have an X-ray tomorrow. Results here first! Or maybe second. Probably third.

Have it on good word that Cassius Marsh will pick up his first collegiate start at defensive tackle on Saturday against Oregon State in lieu of Nate Chandler.

Well, we know one thing for sure.

Westmont sure ain't Concordia.

A year after UCLA barely escaped from the NAIA Eagles the Bruins appear to be handling the Warriors with ease, up 54-25 at the half.

Reeves Nelson is leading the way with 12 points, including four dunks, while freshman center Joshua Smith has nine and sophomore small forward Tyler Honeycutt has added seven.

Some initial observations:

* The Lazeric Jones/Jerime Anderson point guard battle is pretty close. Jones has 11 minutes played, six points and two assists and has played pretty solid defense. He's lost his man a couple times and was way late on a close-out, but gets good leverage. Anderson has six points and an assist in nine minutes, but has added two steals. He's played well.

* A little surprised to see Brendan Lane as the sixth man, but given Joshua Smith's conditioning issues, I guess we'll see that a lot to start. I imagine it going Smith/Nelson then Lane/Nelson then Stover/Lane then Smith/Lane then Smith/Nelson once more.

* Reeves Nelson is noticeably more athletic than last season, and it showed with four first-half dunks. He played really well on transition - except for four bad turnovers; needs to cut those out - but his outside game is not as far along as he thinks.

* Smith is big. Really big. Really, really big. He got hacked a few times and just totally absorbed the contact, continuing to go up strong. Once his conditioning catches up to his game, watch out.

* Tyler Lamb played OK in four minutes, but even he got caught a few times being late behind screens and was killed on a backdoor cut.

Hey guys,

With fall practice starting, here's a reminder to follow me on Twitter and Facebook for the quickest information, and to subscribe to Youtube for automatic links to UCLA video interviews...

Twitter: @thecoolsub
Facebook: Inside UCLA page
YouTube: Inside UCLA Channel

Lazeric Jones is UCLA's starting point guard tonight against Westmont. I'll be following the position closely tonight, and I'll give a breakdown of Jones and Jerime Anderson's performance after the game.

Coveted 2011 point guard Quinn Cook, rated the No. 4 PG in the nation by Scout.com, has announced that he will play for Coach K and Duke next season, Adam Zagoria reported on his blog: Cook to Duke

UCLA got in the mix rather late for Cook, who took a visit along with Adonis Thomas - who chose Memphis last month - in late September. Duke was considered the favorite for a long time, but some recent developments gave UCLA a chance to sneak in, but the Blue Devils sealed the deal.

Cook told Scout.com's Evan Daniels that playing alongside Austin Rivers was too much to pass up: Cook

Check out the latest batch of weekly answers...

Check out the latest batch of weekly answers...

Westwood Bruin Touchdown Club
Friday Nov 5th--7 am
Olympic Collection (Olympic and Sawtelle)
Coach Frank Gansz
Coach Reggie Moore
UCLA Football Players
Randall Carroll
Josh Smith
Sean Westgate
Damien Holmes
UCLA Cheerleaders
Cost: $25 includes buffet breakfast, program, and free parking
For reservations contact Claudia Hart @ 310-348-UCLA or email @ www.claudia4ucla@yahoo.com

* Today's practice was almost broken into halves. The good half and the bad half. Rick Neuheisel, who glowed after yesterday's effort, sounded more unhappy with the actual execution in practice than the effort.
''We tried some things and we'll have to go back to the drawing board and see if they're worthy of our time and effort to fix them or get back to some things that we're better at," Neuheisel said."

* Richard Brehaut looked better in the short game today than yesterday, but had some overthrow issues when they went deep. He had a couple very nice tosses to Josh Smith and Ricky Marvray, but missed Nelson Rosario deep, had a bad Rosario drop, and there were some route issues. On one long play, it looked like Brehaut wasn't even throwing to Smith, who ran a completely different route.

* Ricky Marvray had the play of the day with a beautiful one-handed grab - truly one-handed, just stuck it up there and snagged it - but also had a bad drop.

* The surprise of the day to me? Very late in practice, with the twos running against a hybrid of the first and second defense, Jerry Rice Jr. caught a pass and absolutely tore off down the field. I'm not saying to expect anything from him or that he should be in the rotation, but that was a heck of a play.

Check out the first batch of weekly answers..

* UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel came off the field raving about the team's practice today, as it was not only high-intensity, but high-quality.

* Neuheisel told me that middle linebacker Todd Golper was out for the year with a degenerative back problem. Neuheisel would not speculate about the career-ending nature of the injury, but said he wanted to do what's right for Golper and keep him sidelined. "I want to give him every benefit of the doubt and see where it is."

* Richard Brehaut had a pretty good practice - some great deep balls - but missed some throws. He talked about it with me after practice, and basically said that he doesn't feel like he's missing reads still, but the actual throws. Video tomorrow morning.

* Looks like Aaron Hester has his starting cornerback job back, as he practiced extensively with the first team. Sheldon Price was back and running around, too.

Former UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price, a second-round draft pick by Tampa Bay this season, has been placed on injured reserve, ESPN is reporting.

* I'll have tons of videos over the next few days, but here are some nuggets from today's men's basketball press conference.

* Head coach Ben Howland was non-committal about UCLA's starting point guard against Westmont in the team's exhibition opener on Thursday. Lazeric Jones and Jerime Anderson have battled for the spot during the preseason, and both said they don't know if they'll start. At least early on, I expect both to play major minutes.

* At the same time, Howland made it clear he doesn't expect anywhere near a 50/50 split in terms of minutes for the two.

* I asked several players if the new transition offense was just a wrinkle Howland is trying to incorporate, or if the identity is changing to more of a fast-paced game, and the consensus was that this is a new identity. I'll believe it when I see it.

* Josh Smith did say, however, that at one point during a recent practice, Howland said, "You can't take the ball out of the basket fast enough." That's surprising.

* Last season's squeaker over Concordia - a 62-61 win that needed a Mustafa Abdul-Hamid game-winning shot - is still fresh in their minds. Westmont College, also an NIAA opponent, will not be taken lightly.

* One thing of interest: You can sense the chip on their shoulders out of Tyler Honeycutt, Jerime Anderson, Reeves Nelson and Malcolm Lee, but Joshua Smith, Tyler Lamb and Lazeric Jones were also at the press conference, and they all sounded just as upset over last season's record. Team unity is simply night-and-day from last season.

* Videos with seven players and Coach Howland to follow.

From UCLA:

Oklahoma City --- The Jim Thorpe Award Screening Committee has announced the names of 10 semi-finalists for the award given annually to the nation's best college defensive back, and junior Rahim Moore has been named one of those semi-finalists.

The 2010 award marks the 25th presentation of the trophy, first won in 1986 by Baylor's Thomas Everett. Last year's winner was the University of Tennessee's Eric Berry, now playing for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 2010 semi-finalists are:
Prince Amukamara, Sr., Nebraska
Mark Barron, Jr., Alabama
Chimdi Chekwa, Sr., Ohio State
Brandon Harris, Jr., Miami (FL)
Cliff Harris, Soph., Oregon
Tejay Johnson, Sr., TCU
Joe Lefeged, Sr., Rutgers
Rahim Moore, Jr., UCLA
Patrick Peterson, Jr., LSU
Tyler Sash, Jr., Iowa

Moore is currently third on the squad with 53 tackles and tied for 17th in the Pac-10 wiht a 6.63 average. He has had one interception this season for 42 yards.

About the Jim Thorpe Award:
The Jim Thorpe Award is one of college football's most sought after and prestigious awards. It is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, a man who excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on offense, but also was an awesome defensive back. Recognized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame simply as "The Legend", Thorpe also played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.

The candidates for the award are selected by a "screening committee" of Jim Thorpe Association members who follow several players throughout the season, watching games and researching information sources to grade Thorpe Award candidates on the basis of performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The committee then narrows the field to three finalists and the names of these finalists are submitted to a national panel of about 50 sports writers, sportscasters, coaches and former players who vote to determine the winner.

The announcement of the Jim Thorpe Award winner will be featured on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards live on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. The show, hosted by ESPN's Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit will feature the live presentation of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney's Spirit Award; The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award; and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team.

The Thorpe Award winner will be announced on the show and the official presentation will be at a formal banquet in Oklahoma City on February 7, 2011.

Fans can visit the show's dedicated Web site at ESPNcollegefootballawards.com to find the latest college football awards news, including show details, previous winners, fan voting, a photo gallery and video highlights.

Each week during the season, Phil Steele Publications and staff have overlooked the candidates issued by the school, the conference and distinguished committee members. After including his own personal input, the weekly winner has been announced every Thursday at jimthorpeassoc.org and PhilSteele.com.

The Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game's predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association's official web site, NCFAA.org.

For as down as Rick Neuheisel was after Saturday's loss to Arizona, the bubbly Neuheisel was back on Monday.
``I'm an eternal optimist,'' Neuheisel said. ``That's never going to change. ... I had hopes for us to be in the (Pac-10) race. I don't think we're that far away. I know sometimes the lopsided scores look as if we are. I see this as a chance to climb that hurdle faster than other might think.''

Adam Zagoria, who runs ZagsBlog.com, chatted with Quinn Cook's high school coach at Oak Hill, Steve Smith, and he had some interesting things to say.

Smith told Zagoria that Cook, who has been pretty quiet recently, was down to UCLA and Duke, and that UCLA "basically told him, 'We're handing you the starting position,' for 2011-12. Cook is the No. 4 point guard in the Class of 2011. Here's his profile: Cook

Here's a link to the post: Zagoria on Cook