Quarterbacks coach Marques Tuiasosopo and quarterback Josh Rosen talk over a drill during spring practice. (Photo by Brad Graverson // Daily Breeze)
This week, Josh Rosen said he most wants to improve on turnovers for his sophomore season. He pointed out that eight of his 13 turnovers last season came in what he called “our biggest losses,” which were the losses to Arizona State, Stanford, USC and Nebraska.
His 11 interceptions were the most among the top true freshman quarterbacks last year. It’s odd to think he could reach such a number when also remembering that he set a school record for completed passes without an interception (245).
Here’s a closer look at Rosen’s game-by-game turnovers, broken down by when they occurred during each game:
Rosen didn’t commit a fourth-quarter turnover until a fumble against Colorado, which was the eighth game of the season. Up until that point, he had only two second-half turnovers. But in the final six games of the year, he had five second-half turnovers with three in the fourth quarter. Taking care of the ball is always paramount, but it becomes even more important as the game wears on.
Rosen will be working under a new quarterbacks coach this season as former UCLA tight ends coach Marques Tuiasosopo takes over quarterbacks and passing game duties. Tuiasosopo, who has also made Pac-12 coaching stops at USC and Washington, fell on a gem of pupil in his return to Westwood. The former Washington quarterback praised Rosen’s all-around talent, saying “he really has it all.”
“It’s really a matter of getting him to utilize what he has to help himself become great and everybody else around him,” Tuiasosopo said. “He really can be that guy that brings everyone together.”
Tuiasosopo first met Rosen as the quarterbacks coach at Washington during recruiting, and the coach said the prior relationship has helped get their partnership off to a good start at UCLA. Rosen, for his part, had nothing but positives to say about his new positions coach.
“(We have) really great chemistry in meetings,” Rosen said. “He respects me, I respect him. Really looking forward to seeing how this relationship grows.”
Tuiasosopo replaces Taylor Mazzone, who went with former offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone to Texas A&M.
“He has a confidence and a calm demeanor about him that I think is infectious,” head coach Jim Mora said of Tuiasosopo. “He’s got a great energy, and I think he’s very trust worthy and I think our players trust him and like him.”
Spring football notes and observations: