Video: Josh Rosen, Theo Howard, Kenny Walker, Nate Starks on Arizona

Quarterback Josh Rosen talks about how the Bruins found their way in the second half, working with Marques Tuiasosopo and turning hope into action at this point in the second.

Receiver Theo Howard talks about his first career touchdown pass, getting the call and what took him so long to get his shot.

Receiver Kenny Walker talks about how the offense recovered in the second half and working on the scramble drill against Arizona.

Running back Nate Starks talks about taking the lead running back spot and improvements for the offense.

Spring practice day 3: Bruins suit up in pads for first time

Freshman linebacker Mique Juarez took some snaps with the first team defense on Saturday. Photo by Brad Graverson // Daily Breeze

Freshman linebacker Mique Juarez took some snaps with the first team defense on Saturday. Photo by Brad Graverson // Daily Breeze

The Bruins wrapped up the first week of spring practice Saturday with their first practice in full pads.

Watch video of Jim Mora’s press conference here

Read today’s notebook that focuses on the team’s balance of coaching and competition

Notes and observations:

Jim Mora was happy with the team’s ability to practice safely in pads (i.e. minimal tackling to the ground, not going after collisions too aggressively, etc.) while still maintaining physicality and competitiveness.

— False starts continue to be a problem under the new snap counts, and Mora attributed it to “a lack of concentration.” The head coach noted that the problem generally improves as practice goes on, so he would like to see better concentration at the start of the session. Offensive lineman Kenny Lacy was probably the most penalized player on Saturday and spent a large amount of time running laps for false starting. Continue reading “Spring practice day 3: Bruins suit up in pads for first time” »

Spring practice day 1: Offense sloppy in first scrimmages

UCLA head coach Jim Mora talks to the media after the first day of spring practice. (Photo by Brad Graverson // Daily Breeze)

UCLA head coach Jim Mora talks to the media after the first day of spring practice. (Photo by Brad Graverson // Daily Breeze)

One day down, 14 more to go. Here are a few observations and notes to pass along from the first day of spring practice.

Read the notebook from the first day of camp, focusing on Jim Mora’s aversion to the “pro-style” label.

Watch/listen to post practice interviews here

— A prominent storyline of the spring will be how the offense progresses under new offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu. Whether the scheme is that much different than what Noel Mazzone had can be debated, but Jim Mora is adamant that it’s not as different as everyone’s making it out to be. The changes include a different snap count and an increased amount of time you’ll see Josh Rosen under center. The snap count changes made for an ugly first period of scrimmaging as there were likely more false starts than completed passes.

— Indeed there will be tight ends and fullbacks in this offense. At least one tight end was in almost every set. Nate Iese seems to be a top option right now, as the former fullback lined up with the No. 1 offense during the scrimmage periods. Giovanni Gentosi also lined up at tight end. Cameron Griffin and Ainuu Taua took snaps at full back.

— Mora said there were 20 snaps of a 3-4 defensive front during practice and downplayed the hubbub about making a big change to a 4-3 defense. He said the team played about 50 percent of its snaps with four down linemen last year, so it’s not a look the Bruins are unfamiliar with, he stressed. However, linebacker Jayon Brown said after practice that the team is focusing on the 4-3 front more in an effort to be better against the run.

— Freshman wide receiver Theo Howard had likely the catch of the day, making a great adjustment in the air to catch a back-shoulder pass over a defender.

— Eight other freshmen are on the spring camp roster: Linebackers Breland Brandt, Mique Juarez and Lokeni Toailoa, receivers Demetric Felton and Theo Howard, quarterback Matt Lynch, kicker JJ Molson, defensive lineman Nick Terry, defensive back Leni Toailoa.

Juarez worked into the second string linebacking unit, playing as an outside linebacker. He dropped into coverage and came off the edge. Mora said the North Torrance High alumnus did not look out of place, which is a good thing for an 18-year-old who just started college within the last 36 hours.

Molson connected on all four of his field goals.

— The first string offensive line looked like this (from left to right): Conor McDermott, Kenny Lacy, Scott Quessenberry, Poasi Moala, Kolton Miller

— DB Fabian Moreu, DB John Johnson, DL Eddie Vanderdoes, WR Mossi Johnson and OL Tevita Halalilo were all limited in practice as they’re working back from injuries. They worked out individually on the side of the field.

Tell me what you’re most curious about in practice and I’ll try to keep my best eye on it for the coming days.

Up next: Day 2 of practice, Thursday, 7 a.m., intramural field