Sunday notebook, peek ahead

Here’s the notebook that runs in the Monday paper. Jim Mora, predictably and appropriately, is sticking to the one-game-at-a-time mantra as UCLA climbs up the rankings.

The Bruins finally got love from the Coaches Poll (No. 19) to help bump it into the BCS standings. Lots of shuffling could still happen in the conference, but right now the Bruins are staring at Alamo, Holiday or Sun Bowl — the three games that draw (in that order) after the Rose Bowl. Oregon State’s upcoming visit to Stanford should help clear up the picture.

UCLA is currently a 14.5-point favorite over Washington State, but the Cougars lost road games to both the Beavers and the Cardinal by fewer than two touchdowns. I’m very curious to see how WSU players respond to Mike Leach throwing them under the bus.

Furious Fauria

Redshirt sophomore Joseph Fauria is having a bit of trouble adjusting to life as a transfer.
This is one competitive dude, as evidenced by his reaction after a dropped pass during scout team offense. He fell to his knees and punched the ground in frustration.
He is just as frustrated knowing that he will sit out the season.
“It’s definitely a big mental challenge on someone like me, who’s really passionate about the game, really wants to help the team,” Fauria said. “Of course I want to be out there with the ones, helping this offense. I’m just doing the best I can.”
He knows the feeling, having planned on redshirting last season before playing in three games.
“In the beginning last year, I redshirted, but it got blown halway through the season,” Fauria said. “Things were looking up there, I was supposed to play a lot this year, but things happened, I came here, and another redshirt. It’s going to be tough again. I know how the ropes work, and I’ll be better from it.

Report Card – DB

Defensive Backs

Grade: A-
High Marks: UCLA’s starting wide receivers barely had any room to breathe, and the offense struggled both short and deep.

Low Marks: Freshman cornerback Andrew Abbott was flagged for pass interference twice and the defensive backs had a tough time taking down some of UCLA’s bigger targets, such as Joseph Fauria and Nate Chandler.

Report Card – WR

Wide Receivers / Tight Ends

Grade: B (Tight ends, A+++)
High Marks: Though victims to some overthrows, the wide receiver corps did a fine job getting off the line of scrimmage and challenging a very tough defense. In a scrimmage situation, it’s very difficult to distinguish star from scrub, particularly at wideout, but the first unit is full of talent. Ricky Marvray earned playing time with a great block on Joseph Fauria’s 60-yard touchdown catch. At tight end, UCLA simply has an overabundance of skill.
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Low Marks: Randall Carroll dropped an easy pass and looked down-trodden afterward, although several Bruins rushed to reassure him. The grade would have been higher, but no UCLA player had more than three catches, and Fauria had the only big play.

Report Card – QB

Quarterbacks

Grade: C-
High Marks: Kevin Prince was effective in spurts and seems to have learned to check down to lower options. He was impressive in the flats, though he did not challenge the first-string defense deep very often. Nick Crissman had a beautiful pass to tight end Joseph Fauria – who broke a tackle and received an incredible block from freshman wide receiver Ricky Marvray on his way to a 60-yard touchdown.
Low Marks: Prince was inconsistent, with a handful of overthrows and two atrocious throws. One, off his backfoot facing pressure, was intercepted. The other, a near-pick in the back of the end zone. Prince finished the afternoon just 9-for-19 for 77 yards and an inteception.