*Yes, I’m back!
**It’s the first day back in Westwood and the weather conditions here are noticably better. We had a nice breeze through most of the two and a half hour practice. So glad to be back in civilization.
***The big news out of camp today was the absence of S Dalton Hilliard. UCLA coach Jim Mora said he went home because of a family emergency. No further details were given and no word on when he’ll be back.
****The offensive line got another boost today with the return of Simon Goines and Alexandru Ceachir. Goines saw some time at right tackle on the second unit and looked much better than on his first day back a few days ago in San Bernardino where he could barely keep his balance during stretching drills. He’s an imposing presence, so his return and progress will be a big help to the line. Ceachir looked solid at right guard, too. He played next to Goines with the second unit. Greg Capella, Jeff Baca and Alberto Cid were at camp but did not practice, but it was nice to see them on the field.
*****OLB Jordan Zumwalt continues to be in beast mode. He plowed past pass-blockers and was constantly wreaking havoc in the backfield. He also saw some time at inside linebacker. True freshman Aaron Porter had some reps at inside linebacker with the first unit. Newly-converted cornerback Fabian Moreau had a good showing donning the white jersey. He recorded a Pick 6 off Richard Brehaut. Randall Goforth saw some time at safety and even broke up a pass. QB Brett Hundley threw an interception in 11-on-11 drills. True freshman Marcus Rios recorded the INT. QB Jerry Neuheisel wasn’t nowhere near as shar as he’d been back in San Bernardino. He threw one too many wobbly passes and severl were underthrown. Neuheisel, however, did make a solid swing pass to Steven Manfro, who made some nice cuts down the sideline and past the secondary. His speed continues to show, and it’s that consistency the Bruins as a whole have lacked in some time. K Ka’imi Faibairn went 3 for 5 on field goal attempts. He didn’t show to have as much distance or accuracy as in San Bernardino. Not sure on the distance since the media was kept from the sideline and restricted to the end zone. Also, no players were made available for interviews as they were rushed to attend the “Meet the Bruins” event at Drake Stadium.
******Former Bruin Nick Ekbatani made an apperance at practice and was greeted with a round of applause from fans sitting in the end zone.
Sunday’s schedule is a two-a-day beginning at 8:30 a.m. and then again at 7 p.m.