Center Jake Brendel snapped several balls low throughout UCLA’s 34-27 win at Utah, a nagging issue that could have resulted in a game-costing play. Coaches said the use of a silent count as well as playing next to two freshmen made the game more difficult for the redshirt sophomore, but he didn’t use them as excuses.

“I was taking a little bit of a shortcut,” Brendel said. “The snap process, getting my right hand into the block a little too early. (Now, I’m) just making sure I’m taking the full stroke of the snap … instead of short-stroking it.”

He tried to fix the problem as the game went on, but said it took long to overcome the muscle memory.