UCLA spring football day 12: Mora finalizes spring game plans

UCLA running back Brandon Stephens #20 during football practice at UCLA in Los Angeles,Monday, April 24, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The teams are set, the guest coaches are on board. The UCLA spring game is officially a go.

Head coach Jim Mora has finalized plans to have a live spring game on Saturday at Drake Stadium. He hasn’t revealed the rosters for the blue and white teams yet, but said there will be two national-championship-winning guest head coaches on the field.

In front of what they hope will be a big crowd, the Bruins intend to impress their fans while climbing back from their disappointing season last year.

“It gives us a chance and an opportunity to show them (the fans) what we’ve been working for and working at this whole spring ball,” sophomore running back Brandon Stephens said.

More details on UCLA’s spring game.

Photo gallery from practice

Video interviews

Here are notes/observations for the day:

Josh Rosen threw two interceptions, but also orchestrated the only touchdown drive during the practice-ending two-minute offense team period. Darnay Holmes picked off Rosen in the middle of the field in 7-on-7. Octavius Spencer came up with the other interception of the day, jumping on a pass intended for Caleb Wilson in a red zone drill. The quarterback avoided a few other interceptions as Jaleel Wadood and Nate Meadors each dropped potential picks.

— Rosen led a long touchdown drive during the two-minute drill team period, firing short, quick passes to Eldridge Massington, Jordan Lasley and Soso Jamabo to move steadily down the field. Jamabo finished the drive with a touchdown run up the middle. On what I think was supposed to simulate a two-point conversion, Darren Andrews made a good catch against Holmes in the end zone. Holmes had good coverage on the play, but Andrews showed strong hands and concentration to pull in the pass. Rosen’s second attempt in the two-minute offense ended with Matt Dickerson sacking the quarterback on the last play of practice.

 — The play of the day for the offense came early with Rosen finding Andrews for a long touchdown pass in the first team period on third down.

— Holmes also made a great play in 7-on-7 against Nate Starks after Starks caught a short pass. Holmes closed quickly and jarred the ball loose before Starks could secure the catch, forcing an incomplete pass.

Devon Modster threw a nice touchdown pass to Jimmy Jaggers in a red zone period, putting the perfect amount of touch on the ball as Jaggers showed his athleticism while elevating to secure the catch.

— The defense had a successful day rushing the quarterback. I counted 12 touch sacks. Jaelan Phillips led the way with 2.5 (two came on Modster against the No. 2 offense), and two from Keisean Lucier-South on Rosen during a two-minute drill team period. Matt Dickerson had 1.5 on Rosen. Boss Tagaloa got to Rosen on the first drive of the first team period. Other sacks came from Chigozie Nnoruka, Osa Odighisuwa, Spencer and Kenny Young.

— Things got chippy in linebacker/running back/tight end pass protection drills between Brandon Burton and Jordan Wilson. Wilson got the better of the converted safety on their first rep, but Burton challenged the tight end again. Burton demolished Wilson on the second rep, after which the players had a small dust up before getting separated by teammates. On their third rep, Wilson won.

— In lineman one-on-ones, Rick Wade beat Kenny Lacy twice, continuing his dominance of the drill. Wade is one of many standouts on the defensive line this spring. He works in with the No. 2 defensive line while also coming in for nickel situations.

— After losing one rep to Keisean Lucier-South, Kolton Miller rebounded well to win the very next one, adjusting well to Lucier-South’s speed. Miller lost a previous rep to Jacob Tuioti-Mariner as the senior defensive lineman was able to rush around the edge to the quarterback.

— Taua had one spectacular swim move against Andre James that earned high praise from defensive line coach Angus McClure.

Denzel Fisher (elbow) was not seen at practice as Colin Samuel stepped up in his spot. Fisher suffered the injury last Saturday. Jaggers was seen walking off the field after a team period before the end of practice with a trainer holding the freshman’s helmet.

DeChaun Holiday (shoulder) and Poasi Moala (hip) remained on the sideline riding exercise bikes.

J.J. Molson hit the lone field goal attempt of the day, connecting on a long field goal (close to 40 yards) to cap off Modster’s two-minute offense drive.