Receiver Jordan Lasley turns up field during a team period at practice. Photo by Steve McCrank/Staff Photographer

Story coming HERE on the defensive backs and the return of Fabian Moreau.

Smaller notebook items on Mique Juarez‘ mysterious absences, how the Bruins plan to survive the San Bernardino heat and the sudden emergence of Lokeni Toailoa as a challenger for the starting middle linebacker spot.

Video interviews:

• Head coach Jim Mora, Moreau and Randall Goforth 
• DB coach Demetrice Martin

Notes and observations from the two practices of the day:

• First practice of the day was in shells and shorts. Second practice was in full pads.
• Takkarist McKinley hasn’t looked like a full participant in practice since he banged up his shoulder in practice three days ago. He doesn’t take one-on-one reps nor does he go in for team periods.
• Interestingly, it’s been six days and seven practices and we have yet to see a single punt.
• Overall, a good day for Soso Jamabo. He continues to take the first snaps at running back. He put together several good runs, bouncing around the edge and hitting holes up the middle.
• First practice notes:
  • The morning practice was mainly a walk through different situations for the offense: leading at the end of the game, trailing at the end of the game, two-minute drill, etc.
  • Josh Rosen pulled the defense offsides on the first play of the team period when the offense was backed up on its own goal line for the second straight day. He led the first-team offense into the red zone, but got picked off by Randall Goforth, who capitalized on a tipped pass by Fabian Moreau. The ball was intended for Kenny Walker.
  • Jordan Lasley and John Johnson had an intense drive with the second units. The receiver and defensive back went against each other for several plays. First Johnson got the better of Lasley, poking a ball away at the last second. A few plays later, Lasley caught a touchdown over Johnson from Mike Fafaul as redemption for the earlier incompletion. But Lasley took redemption one step too far as he was then called for a personal foul on the play. On the sideline, offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu gave Lasley an ear full for the penalty.
  • Although he gave up the touchdown to Lasley, Johnson rebounded well by picking off Fafaul in the end zone on the very next play. The ball was intended for Ishmael Adams, but Johnson jumped the route to get the pick.
• Second practice notes:
  • Deon Hollins walked off the field during the first team period without his helmet and I didn’t see him return. As he was walking off the field, he was rubbing his temples and holding his forehead.
  • Five-star UCLA commit Jaelan Phillips was in attendance for the second practice. He hung around on the field with the defensive linemen.
  • There was a case of the drops, it seemed. You can possibly attribute it to the big crowd of fans at practice for the team’s last session in Westwood before going out to San Bernardino. Eldridge Massington had a drop during one-on-ones. Alex Van Dyke dropped two during the team periods, one from Rosen and one from Fafaul.
  • Rosen threw two great passes during one-on-ones, once to Walker and another to Massington. Both went for touchdowns.
  • In linemen one-on-ones, Eddie Vanderdoes destroyed Poasi Moala in his first rep. Moala rebounded on the second rep and gave Vanderdoes a good battle, but the defensive lineman still won that one, I think.
  • Nick Terry flashed his signature swim move and beat Najee Toran.
  • Rick Wade again beat Andre James. 
  • Alex Akingbulu won two out of three reps against Breland Brandt in a battle of freshmen.