Josh Rosen (3) breaks the huddle at practice on Aug. 15, 2017. (Photo by Thomas R. Cordova/SCNG/Press Telegram)
Josh Rosen returned to the field months ago, but the junior quarterback has just recently starting feeling like his old self again. For UCLA, it’s a long-awaited good sign.
“I had my worst day of camp that one night practice we had (Aug. 8) and since then, something just kind of clicked,” Rosen said. “I think our offense is really starting to get the hang of it and we’re starting to move in the right direction.”
More on the real Rosen’s return
Video interviews:
Notes and observations from Day 13:
- Time: 2 hours, 50 minutes
- Attire: Full pads
- The offense and defense apparently tied in the team competition as the entire team ran after the red zone lockout period (drives starting at the 25-yard line).
- Josh Rosen and the No. 1 offense scored the period’s only touchdown, against the No. 2 defense, on a 7-yard pass to Darren Andrews on third down against Colin Samuel. Bolu Olorunfunmi had a 15-yard run on the drive, and Rosen also threw a short pass to Giovanni Gentosi, who released into the flat as a fullback.
- The No. 1 defense held Devon Modster and the No. 2 offense scoreless after the offense spent three straight plays backtracking. A false start from Sunny Odogwu, followed by a delay of game, followed by a sack from Jacob Tuioti-Mariner moved the offense outside of field goal range.
- Matt Lynch‘s No. 3 offense started off with a tackle for loss on Josh Kelley from Brandon Burton and a pressure from Marcus Moore on an incomplete pass and ended with a 45-yard made field goal from J.J. Molson, which apparently wasn’t enough to break the tie.
- The Andrews and Rosen connection continues to steam-roll seven-on-seven periods as well. Rosen threw a nice touchdown to Andrews against really good defense from Nate Meadors, but Andrews just had a better catch.
- Rosen also threw a 15-yard touchdown to Christian Pabico in a tight window against Darnay Holmes.
- Devon Modster threw two interceptions in the period, one that was tipped and landed in the arms of Adarius Pickett and a second to Denzel Fisher.
- Modster also threw an impressive touchdown to Jordan Wilson in which the tight end made a spectacular catch in the back of the end zone.
- Andre James continued to work at right tackle in team periods (with Michael Alves at right guard) and in one-on-ones. James especially excelled in one-on-ones for the second straight day, shutting down Keisean Lucier-South on back-to-back reps to begin the period.
- Rick Wade got two good reps against Odogwu. Wade easily won the first one, but Odogwu slowed the defensive lineman a little bit on the second one, although I thought Wade was still able to get into the backfield pretty quickly. Kenny Lacy tallied a win against Wade, though.
- Greg Rogers had a few good moments in team periods. He ran over walk-on Gyo Shojima to blow up a play with the third team and beat Josh Wariboko-Alali to pressure Modster with the second team.
- In the “legacy” team period (backed up, two-minute drill), Jaelan Phillips easily breezed past Olorunfunmi on the first play and could have easily sacked Rosen for a safety. The drive was allowed to continue, and Rosen did a nice piece of quarterbacking on fourth-and-1 by pulling Osa Odighizuwa offside, giving the offense a free first down. On fourth-and-goal from the 4, good coverage from the defense forced Rosen to scramble. He got into the end zone, and it’s possible that he could have made it in a real game, but it’s hard to judge as the defense isn’t allowed to hit the quarterback anyway.
- While the linemen, tight ends and running backs did a nine-on-seven period, the receivers and defensive backs did a two-on-three with two receivers going against three defensive backs. The two receivers lined up on the same side of the quarterback, limiting the drill to half of the width of the field, against two corners with the safety in the defensive back field. Lynch did not do well in this drill: he missed his first two throws and should have been intercepted on the third, but was saved by a miscommunication between the defensive backs. He was not so lucky later as Samuel came up with an interception on a pass intended for Jordan Lasley in the end zone. Austin Burton was intercepted by Meadors on a tipped ball by Octavius Spencer, and Jaleel Wadood picked off Rosen.
- Injury notes:
- Demetric Felton was in a yellow jersey for the second straight practice. Leni Toailoa was in a yellow practice jersey as well. Brandon Stephens got to shed his from Monday.
- Still no sign of Austin Roberts on the field.
- Boss Tagaloa and Poasi Moala each picked up what looked minor injuries early in practice, spending some of practice on the stationary bikes and not returning to the field.
- Olorunfunmi and running backs coach DeShaun Foster had a foot race after practice. Olorunfunmi won by a pretty significant margin.