About five minutes before UCLA’s 20-17 win over Texas on Saturday, true freshman Jaleel Wadood found out he was getting his first start.
The Bruins were already missing safety Randall Goforth, who injured his shoulder a week ago, forcing sophomore Tahaan Goodman into the first-string lineup. Then, senior safety Anthony Jefferson tweaked his ankle during pregame warmups.
Wadood heard his name called. Continue reading “Freshman safety Jaleel Wadood shines in first start for UCLA” »
Backup quarterback Jerry Neuheisel is carried off the field after UCLA’s 20-17 win over Texas on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014.
» Despite losing Brett Hundley to an elbow injury, UCLA beat Texas 20-17 after backup quarterback Jerry Neuheisel threw a 33-yard go-ahead touchdown to Jordan Payton.
» UCLA started both halves on offense after Texas accidentally asked to start the game on defense following the coin flip.
Jim Mora saw enough of AT&T Stadium during his time coaching in the NFL to prompt a strategic introduction of the $1.15 billion facility to his players.
Mora plans to lead the Bruins on a thorough tour of the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium on Friday in an effort to limit it as a source of distraction on Saturday.
“It’s a pretty awe-inspiring place,” Mora said. “We’re going to try and get all the giddiness out of our system. You know, look at the scoreboard and go ‘Ooh, ahh, that’s cool.’ We’re going to walk through the bar, walk around the concourses and kind of take it all in so when we arrive there on Saturday, OK, we’ve done that.”
Continue reading “Mora planning strategic introduction to AT&T Stadium” »
Matt Mengel punts during UCLA’s 42-35 win over Memphis on Sept. 6, 2014.
After graduating from Pacific Lutheran High, Matt Mengel considered joining the military. Then he tried out as a wide receiver for Los Angeles Harbor College. Now, he’s UCLA’s starting punter.
Here’s the full story on Mengel’s unusual path to major college football, from Tyler Hendrickson.
Some of the other content in today’s Daily News:
— AT&T Stadium won’t be a distraction for UCLA, but it’s near the top of some Bruins’ must-play-at lists.
— Cornerback Fabian Moreau and the UCLA secondary haven’t played up to high preseason expectations.