SB Nation - Gavin Ketchum

Spaulding Roundup: Good Timing For Our Bye Week As School Starts At UCLA

Nestor — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:26:50 -0000

Well the good news from the bye week is our team will have chance to heal up, work on addressing issues around penalties, and have extra time to game plan for a tough opponent, who will be looking for revenge (just like Tennessee was) in Palo Alto. The bad news is for rest of the us we are going to have deal with a weekend without Bruin football. The waiting around during bye week (at least for me) sometimes feel like the endless wait we often feel around summer training camp when I am left counting the hours till kickoff. Actually we can live with that because the benefits far outweigh our selfish reasons as fans.

This bye week couldn't have come at a better time for UCLA, as it will allow the team to regroup and hopefully improve (which they need to badly following this past weekend's game) heading into Stanford.

Jon Gold from the Daily News wrote about how the "little things" are eating at Neuheisel:

His offense is ranked No. 105 in the country in total offense, able to move the ball in chunks at times but ineffective at others.

It is the little things that eat at Neuheisel - the blown assignment, the bonehead penalty, the missed opportunity.

"Just the little details, formationing," Neuheisel said. "Making sure guys are lining up where they need to be. We need to get that cleaned up. There is just a host of things that we can be better at. I'm looking forward to ironing it out. I don't want to lose a play that could cost us the game."

As Neuheisel said yesterday this week the coaches will have a "training camp" like atmosphere at Spaulding, where I am assuming he and his staff will spend a good chunk of time focusing on fundamentals heading into game week. It's clear that play of our OL and DL have improved since week 1. Now if we can clean up the peformance in terms of penalties, we will be able to take another step.

As mentioned above, in addition giving them an opportunity to work on the basics, the bye week will also allow the Bruins to get back some of our injured players. CRN is hiping to get Gavin Ketchum, Nick Ekbatani and Christian Ramirez back for the Stanford game. In addition, we will have Viney, Knox, Carroll and Presley back in the fold as well. The infusion of those guys back in practices for game prep hopefully will provide a boost to the team.

Also, I think this past Satruday made it clear how much emphasis coaches put in practices. I think it is worth noting that if you go back through our Spaulding roundups last week, you will find how the coaches gave Richard Brehaut majority of the reps this past Tuesday. In other words, if one wants to read into the tea-leaves, it is pretty clear that Neuheisel and Chow gave Brehaut a serious opportunity to win the starting position against Kansas State. However, when Craft looked better with the reps he got, he ended up earning more reps on Wednesday and held on to it through rest of the week, earning the starting spot on Saturday.

If I read Chow and Neuehisel correctly, I think they were planning to put Brehaut in the game. However, they didn't want to take the chance when the game got too close with a true freshman. My hunch is if we didn't have those penalties in the first half, and had a more comfortable lead heading into third quarter, we would have seen Brehaut for a series or two. So, I hope for next two weeks, Richard Brehaut gives everything he has in these practices to push Kevin Craft, and consequently make the team better. Based on what I have read about him, heard from him, and from close program officers, I think he is going to stay persistent, committed, and give everything he has. This is a very different situation than the one Dorrell had with Matt Moore, when both sides were guilty of awful communication (or total lack thereof). I am not going to rehash that nightmare scenario all over again.

Lastly, another reason the bye week is very good for the team this week: school starts this week. That's right UCLA's fall quarter starts this week, which means it will allow the true freshman some breathing room to adjust between classes and practice schedules, so that they are in well adjusted rhythm next week juggling classes and practices during a full fledged game week. Of course unlike their fellow freshmen who are getting their first full taste of being on campus this week, I imagine the football players (and other student athletes who have already been for a campus a bit this summer) will not be walking around the campus with maps in their bookpacks. lol

GO BRUINS.

Previewing The Rest of the Mountain West

Jeremy Mauss — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:59:40 -0000

Here are four more previews of the MWC games today, no need to worry Ram fans the Colorado State/Colorado preview will be up tonight or tomorrow for the Sunday mathcup.

Next Game

Nicholls St. Colonels
@ Air Force Falcons

Saturday, Sep 5, 2009, 11:00 AM PDT

Falcon Stadium

TV: None

KVOR AM 740

Complete Coverage >

Ok, really what is there to say, the big news from Nicholls State was their logo they brought out but it was a giant FAIL. The reason, the new logo (which is now pulled) look eerily similar to a Nazi soldier.

On to the game itself, Air Force is finally confirmed Tim Jefferson is the starting quarterback after working on his academics. Look for more of the same from Air Force with running the ball, and this game could get ugly early. We also might see another game where Air Force either does not complete a pass or throws a pass.

Nicholls State was only 3-6 last year and was not really competitive in any games this year in their losses. They averaged 16 points in every defeat, which can be reffered to their offense that averaged just over 100 yards passing yards per game, but their rushing attack was competent by averaging 200 per game with no dominant rusher.

Does this preview really need anything else? Air Force in a land slide.

Next Game

Weber St. Wildcats
@ Wyoming Cowboys

Saturday, Sep 5, 2009, 12:00 PM PDT
War Memorial Stadium

TV: None

Radio: KOWB 1290 AM

Complete Coverage >

Great! another FCS vs. FBS squad. However this game has some intrigue, because Weber State made the FCS playoffs, they are coached by Ron McBride who was at Utah prior to Urban Meyer, and they routinely get transfers from Utah, BYU, and Utah State. So, Weber does has some talent on their team.

From the Wyoming side brings in the spread attack brought from former Missouri offensive coordinator Dave Christensen who is now the head coach. Last year Wyoming played musical chairs at quarterback, but this year the starter is hand picked JUCO recruit Robert Benjamin, by Christensen who ran his type of offense.

Look for Karsteen Sween to get some snaps if the game gets out of hand, because he was this close to getting the starting job. The only concern for Wyoming is that their top two wide outs have been suspended for this game with Greg Bolling and Donte Morgan because of violating team rules.

The Poke defense is as good as normal and should be able to stop the Weber State offense, and the defense might actually be better because Christensen has brought toughness to the team that was not present under Cowboy Joe Glenn.

Next Game

New Mexico Lobos
@ Texas A&M Aggies

Saturday, Sep 5, 2009, 4:00 PM PDT
Kyle Field

TV: NONE

Radio: 610 KNML

Complete Coverage >

Too bad the Aggies are not any good or this game would be on Fox Sports or something. This game is really a game against two punching bags trying to improve from last years mess. New Mexico has former offensive coordinator Mike Locksley from Illinois, and is bringing his no huddle spread offense.

If teh Lobos are able to pick it up and if QB Donovan Porterie is fully recovered from his knee injury then the Lobo offense has the chance to be dangerous. New Mexico is breaking in new running back AJ Butler who is a star freshman and will get a lot of touches. New Mexico has had seven straight 1,000 yard rushers so that record could be in jeporady with a new back and offense.

Texas A&M has QB Jerrod Johnson who has no Stephen McGee or any other QB breathing over his shoulder. Johnson is a dual threat and if needed will take off and run the ball. Now he is no running threat like Vince Young or Terrelle Pryor but is good enough to make plays, so the Lobo defense needs to keep their assignments or they will get smoked.

The Aggie defense is not the 'Wreckin' Crew' but it should be much improved and has chances to take advantage early on if New Mexico is stumbling in their new offense.

The edge has to go to Texas A&M because Kyle Field is a real home field advantage and the athletes that A&M recruits is better then the Lobos, but this game should be fairly close in the end.

Next Game

San Diego St. Aztecs
@ UCLA Bruins

Saturday, Sep 5, 2009, 4:30 PM PDT
Rose Bowl

TV: Fox Sports West

Radio: AM 600 KOGO

Complete Coverage >

This game is being played despite fires raging in Southern California, and as a very nice gesture any fire fighter and their family can get free tickets which is needed since this game will have a sparse crowd. San Diego State brings in a new staff to San Diego starting with Brady Hoke is coming in from Ball State and also former New Mexico head coach Rocky Long to run the defense.

It is hard to make of the Aztecs because practices have been closed to everyone this fall famp to keep things a secret. The only thing we know about San Diego State is that they will have possibly the best player on the field in QB Ryan Lindley who as a freshman was a passing machine and had a good season despite having a make shift line due to injury. If the Aztec running game gets going then SDSU possibly could make a run and take out UCLA by using LIndley to air it out.

By no means is this game a gimme for UCLA even thought the Aztecs only won two games last year. There is a buzz around San Diego since Marshall Faulk days. As for UCLA they should have a competent QB in Kevin Prince who should be light years ahead from last years team.

To ease into the game UCLA (and SDSU) must establish the run game to help out Kevin Prince in UCLA's situation and with SDSU it will help prevent the Bruins from a full on attack from the linebackers.

UCLA is hurting more on the injury front then SDSU with UCLA missi ng Christian Ramirez and wide receiver Gavin Ketchum, but the wide receiveing corp is deep for UCLA so that injury is not a problem. This game should go to UCLA by about 10 points or so, but San Diego State will be much more better then last year.

Game Day Roundup: Getting Ready For The Debut Of A Bruin Prince & Other Notes

Nestor — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 16:23:28 -0000

Here we go guys. I am so fired up today that I feel like I want to put up the game thread and get going right away. It is going to be awesome to take in football games all am/pm before settling down for our kickoff at 4:30 pm PST. I will put up a pre game thread around 12:00 pm PST to get us going. Before we start firing off let's check in a bit with the reports in today's papers.

There aren't any big breaking news heading into kickoff this evening. However, I loved reading about how Kevin Prince became a Bruin. From the Press Enterprise:

Prince grew up on Thursday nights at Pauley Pavilion and Saturday afternoons at the Rose Bowl. A UCLA wall clock and banner adorn the walls of his childhood bedroom, as does an autographed Cade McNown jersey. He even briefly served as a ball boy for the football team.

What kept Prince from snapping up UCLA's initial scholarship offer the summer before his senior year was that he never believed the coaching staff considered him its quarterback of the future. Then-coach Karl Dorrell already had secured a commitment from fellow senior Nick Crissman of Huntington Beach Edison, and Prince's scholarship offer was contingent on him taking a two-year religious mission and not enrolling until 2010.

With contact from Dorrell's staff waning as it became clear UCLA would make a coaching change, Prince accepted a scholarship from Washington in December 2007. The only reason Neuheisel was even aware of Prince when he visited Crespi two months later was that his teenage son had raved about Prince's performance at a recent camp.

As Neuheisel sat in the Crespi football office waiting to speak with linebacker E.J. Woods after class, he asked Coach Jeremiah Ross to show him film of Prince.

He learned that Prince had an arm so strong that his father had to buy receiver's gloves to catch him. He learned that Prince was the hardest worker Ross has ever coached. And he learned that Prince suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opening game of his senior season, but served as a quarterbacks coach for the next three months, offering the advice and encouragement sophomore Bryan Bennett needed to pilot Crespi to an 11-3 record.

"A big reason we were able to do that was because of Kevin's leadership," Ross said. "There have been other kids who get injured and fade off. He was like, 'Anything I can do to help this team off the field, I'm going to do.' "

Neuheisel was so impressed by Prince that he put on an immediate full-court press, calling his parents, putting him in touch with Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow and inviting him to visit campus. Less than a week later, Prince was a Bruin.

I can't get enough of stories like that. Obviously we are all anxious to see Kevin's debut in the best looking home uniforms in college football. However, as we have discussed over and over again this off-season the key tonight is going to our completely revamped OL. If they can stay patient and focused against the chaotic Aztec's 3-3-5 defense, and get our running game going early on, it will be a huge assist to Kevin Prince. More after the jump.

Getting the running game going will be key for both teams (not just Bruins):

Defensive coordinator Rocky Long thinks both teams will try to establish the run "because neither team did it all that well last season." The left side of SDSU's offensive line has zero career starts and is facing a physical defensive line, anchored by defensive tackle Brian Price and defensive end Korey Bosworth (7.5 sacks last year) . Offensively, the Bruins have a young backfield with redshirt freshman Kevin Prince at quarterback and redshirt freshman Johnathan Franklin at tailback. UCLA's front five averages about 6-3, 316 pounds. SDSU coach Brady Hoke said he plans to substitute liberally on defense, and as many as 22 players could see action today. The Aztecs were winless on the road last year; their last win away from Qualcomm was Nov. 10, 2007 against UNLV.

Well Brady Hoke's team is going to be a mystery since they have been locked up and away from the press during the preseason camp. From Kevin Gimmell in the San Diego Union Tribune:

Today, we'll see.

We'll see what the man behind the curtain — new San Diego State football coach Brady Hoke — has been doing since coming over from Ball State.

He's kept his Aztecs closely guarded since the start of training camp. He's shaping the message at Montezuma Mesa his way and dishing out a heavy volume of coaching buzzwords.

He's created a buzz by being buzz-less.

Well he has also created a lot of buzz because he is bringing in two fairly accomplished coordinators in Al Borges and Rocky Long. We have talked about them all week but if you need to still catch up on them you can do so reading rest of Gimmell's game preview here.

On the local front today Jon Golden has a profile of Taylor Embree in the Daily News and LAT's Chris Foster has a generic overview (which doesn't really tell us anything new). For those who haven't been keeping track here are the latest injury notes:

UCLA will be without tailback Christian Ramirez (ankle), wide receiver Gavin Ketchum (hamstring), offensive lineman Micah Kia (knee surgery), offensive lineman Nick Ekbatani (sprained knee) and defensive end Reginald Stokes (knee surgery). Defensive tackle Jess Ward (sprained knee) is expected to play.

Beside Henderson, San Diego State will be without safety Romeo Horn (foot), and tight end Tony DeMartinis (retired, knee). Cornerback Davion Maudlin (knee) is expected to play.

While we are all wishing speedy and healthy recovery to the guys, let's hope there any more additions to that list from either side after tonight.

As mentioned above, we will have a pre-game thread up around 12:00 pm PST and then the game thread will go up around 4:00 PST. See you then.

GO BRUINS.

2009 UCLA Football Post-Camp Grades: WR/TE's

Ryan Rosenblatt — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:00:12 -0000

My post-camp unit by unit grades of our 2009 Bruins continues with the receivers and offensive line. Yesterday, we took a look at the quarterbacks, who I graded a C+, while at the moment, the overwhelming majority of BN readers have assigned the group a C. What will the UCLA pass catchers grade in at? Here's a hint...it's high.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Without a doubt, the receivers/tight ends offer UCLA the best combination of experience, youth, depth, talent and game breaking talent. Simply put, this is the Bruins' best unit. If you want some experience, there's Terrance Austin. How about a game breaking talent with speed that can't be taught? Say hello to Randall Carroll. Whose route running skills can only be described as machine like and has no problem going over the middle or anywhere on the field to act as the chain mover? That would be Taylor Embree. How about a big body who can go up and get it in the red zone? Gavin Ketchum, come on down. There's Morrell Presley, the freak athlete as well and Ricky Marvray, a freshman like Presley and Carroll, who exceeded all expectations in training camp and is forcing coaches into a touch decision regarding redshirts. There's still the big bodied, big threat sophomores Nelson Rosario, Antwon Moutra with redshirt freshman Jerry Johnson making a name for himself. Oh yeah, I didn't mention the proven commodities at tight end in Ryan Moya and Logan Paulsen, both of whom could play on Sundays. Needless to say, there are options in the receiving game.

We already know what we're going to get from Terrance Austin in the receiving game. The wideout, who announced his decision to attend UCLA four years ago at the Army All-American Game and is a Long Beach Poly alum, his shifty and quick. He runs his routes well and while he's not the big body you sometimes see going up and battling for balls 50 yards downfield, he can quickly turn a catch 15 yards downfield into a 70 yard touchdown with how quickly he gets his hips turned up field and his ability to make people miss. Bringing back your top receiver never hurts and that's what UCLA has in Austin. UCLA also knows what it has in Ketchum, a senior who had a horrid start to camp. A week into camp, I was seriously considering the possibility of seeing Ketchum sixth or seventh on the UCLA depth chart and not traveling with the team. Ketchum stepped it up late in camp though and showed why he can be an asset to the Bruins. His size and knowledge of how to use it makes him dangerous in the red zone, either going up and getting the ball or shielding off defenders as he comes across the middle. Prince and Ketchum still aren't quite on the same page though as they miscommunicated a number of times throughout camp.

UCLA has lacked the ability to stretch the field in recent years. There's been some speed, but not jaw dropping speed. If a 4.3 40 and two-time high school 100 and 200 meter state champion sprinter doesn't make your jaw drop though then you may want to check your pulse and give up your seat at the Rose Bowl because there are plenty of others who would like a glimpse at Carroll. Carroll has speed that makes coaches drool and opposing DB's cry. While he still has a lot of refinement to do as a receiver (he had a case of the dropsies at times in camp and his route running is mediocre at best), he's an athlete that can put six on the board at any time and that's the type of player you make sure to get the ball to. Expect Carroll to be used on reverses, wide receiver screens and anything else imaginable because Carroll is exactly what UCLA defense have seen for years now, but only in games and never in practice. Fellow freshman Marvray doesn't have quite the same speed nor did he have the hype that Carroll had on the recruiting circuit. He was widely acknowledged as a good player because well, that's what a 5'11'' receiver without burning speed is known as, but Marvray has a special something. Last year when practice go-ers saw Embree, you saw he had that special something. It's a feel for the game. The way the field opens up for him and he always finds himself open. While it can be described as luck the first few times it happens, when it becomes regular then it's that special something. With plenty of receivers on the roster, Marvray may be redshirted and that would probably be the prudent route with available snaps at a minimum.

There's a trio of second-year receivers UCLA who are all big and can run. Moutra, Rosario and Johnson are all at least 6'2'', with Rosario checking in at 6'5''. They all have enough speed to get downfield and they all have a year under their belt, either as sophomores like Moutra and Rosario or as a redshirt freshman like Johnson. The one thing that all three need to work on is how to use their size though. Too often they don't shield their defender with their body and get balls knocked down. Too often they don't come down with high, long passes despite having pounds and inches on their opponent. Too often they go back to last year when they were freshmen and lose focus. Just when they frustrate you though, they make a play that wows you. Johnson is the least physically talented of the three, but shows the most hunger. Rosario is the biggest and has the most potential, but Moutra can bust a big one unlike the other two. All three have potential, but are short on results. The good thing for them is they're only one year into their time in Westwood and have time to prove themselves.

All three of the second-year receivers or really any receiver on the roster can take a page or two out of Embree's book. The Bruins haven't have a wideout who runs such precise routes in years and there are few with the reliable hands and willingness to take a hit of Embree either. Let's also remember that this is mister half-star. One recruiting website gave him one star, while the other gave him no stars out of high school. The son of a football coach sure plays like one though and he quickly developed a bond with Prince as the two spent plenty of practice time talking, then reps beating the defense for eight, ten or 12 yard chunks.

Presley is listed as a tight end and will likely be one before he leaves Westwood, but the majority of his freshman year will be spent away from the line and without his hand on the ground. Presley needs to put on some weight before he even thinks about pushing a defensive end or even linebacker around, but on the outside, he is a mismatch waiting to happen. While small for a tight end right now, no DB is contending with 6'4'' 220 lbs. and no linebacker can run with the guy. Toss in his huge vertical and you can see why he spent a lot of practice time on fades. He will be on the field a lot in the redzone and he should be a terror down the seam at midfield forcing safeties to pinch, thus opening up the deep ball.

The two tight ends who will get the most time can do it all. Moya and Paulsen are known commodities. They can block, which this team will need them to do, but they can also prove to be useful outlets for a quarterback with little experience who will be under pressure. Both have had injury problems so health could be an issue, as could fumbles. Paulsen is the tougher of the two and he was knocking heads in practice, especially when freed up to hit linebackers on running plays. Moya meanwhile was doing well on quick outs and turning upfield to pick up yards after the catch. If the two can stay healthy, it will do wonders to have that type of talent and experience on the field.

Grade: A I'm not going to bother researching the depth chart of every Pac-10 team's wideouts and tight ends, but I can't imagine another team having such a mix of strength, speed, experience, refinement and every other good work you can think of to describe receivers. I'll go with stupendousness. On a team of worry after worry, here's one unit to have confidence in.

Poll

What would you grade the UCLA receivers and tight ends?

A

191 votes

B

189 votes

C

29 votes

D

3 votes

F

6 votes

418 votes | Poll has closed

Spaulding Roundup: Scrimmage Storylines

Nestor — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:06:42 -0000

It's scrimmage Saturday. As mentioned in my previous post normally this type of scrimmage is lot more about the festivities leading up to it and after it than the actual plays during the scrimmage. I think it is reasonable to expect that the coaching staff will keep everything fairly basic on both sides of the ball. However, it will be exciting for those who haven't been able to make it down for practices because they will get to see a number of talented kids for the first time in a Bruin uniform. As captainqtp noted Randall Carroll - Number 1 - is going to get the start on offense as Austin is away for a wedding reception (who scheduled it this weekend?!). It should be fun to watch our two number 1s - ATV and Carroll - going right at each other.

There will be an interesting subplot in today's scrimmage thought. It will be around our RBs. Christian Ramirez, who has been nicked up a little this fall camp (and he also sat out a big part of spring camp) will be in the spotlight. Per the LA Times, CRN is expecting Ramirez to step up today:

"He’s got to play tomorrow," Coach Rick Neuheisel said. "He has to play and play a significant amount." That means "with four backs, if we get 80-90 plays, I hope he can get somewhere around 10 carries." [...]

"Johnathan Franklin has had an unbelievable camp, and Milton Knox has been unbelievable," Neuheisel said. "What’s the pecking order? Everyone deserves a chance to show something."

Ramirez's chance needs to be Saturday.

"We can’t stir around and put a blind eye the way the other kids are running," Neuheisel said. "I think he is eager to get going and hopefully Chris gets rolling tomorrow night."

One of the advantages Ramirez has is coaches know he can provide pass protection. It’s the main area of concern about Franklin and Knox.

"They’re improving, but it is still work in progress," Neuheisel said. "Until they do it without coaches standing right behind them, not against a blocking bag but a thing that is actually moving, we won’t be sure."

Well Christian has been facing a lot of heat on the message boards. Lot of people are anxious to see what Coleman, Frankling and Knox can do on a regular basis without caring too much about the coachs's concerns about their blocking abilities (which they might have improved upon since this past spring). Christian for his part realizes that at this point he does need to prove himself on the field:

"It's one thing to know what you're doing, it's another thing to do it," Ramirez said.

Those are very mature comments on the part of Christian. I am hoping he will be able to step up and validate coach's belief that he was the top RB coming out of spring camp. If not I am sure coaches will end up going with backs who have been productive during practices. More practice related notes after the jump.

Kevin Prince sat out yesterday's practice because of a sore arm. From the Daily News:

Neuheisel shut down redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Prince's workload in Friday's morning practice, and Prince didn't do much in the afternoon practice because of a sore right arm. Prince is expected to play in today's scrimmage.

"I'm not worried at all," Prince said.

Said Neuheisel: "That's to be expected on Day 13 of camp, and you're throwing as much as he's been throwing, you're arm gets a little dead. We've got to monitor that and keep him on a pitch count."

That makes sense to me. Also, speaking of bumps and bruises, the LAT has an update on the OL shuffle following Kia's injury:

Mike Harris worked at right tackle Friday morning.

"Mike is my third tackle, so he has to know both spots," offensive line coach Bob Palcic said. That was part of the fallout after senior offensive lineman Micah Kia suffered a season-ending knee injury Wednesday.

UCLA's current starting line -- tackle Xavier Su'a-Filo, guard Stanley Hasiak, center Kai Maiava, guard Eddie Williams and tackle Jeff Baca -- is close to being set in stone. Coaches will also explore other options at guard in case Hasiak struggles.

One move available to them is putting Maiava at guard, where he started nine games for Colorado in 2007, and play community college transfer Ryan Taylor at center.

If folks are wondering, whether coaches will bring Sheller or Chandler back to OL, think again. From the OC Register:

"Sheller will stay over with the defense," Palcic said. "They really need some depth over there and I’m comfortable with the guys I have left."

From that comment I am going to assume Chandler will be stay at TE as well. Also, think it's noteworthy how Palcic sounds "comfortable" with the group he has at OL. Don't recall hearing that kind of comment from him last season. I can see why that kind of comment will make many of us hopefuly to the point of delusional. :-)

BTW big ups to Sheller for being a team player (much like Chandler from last season) and accomdating the coach's needs even if it the position shift might be a little bewildering:

Neuheisel attributed Sheller’s demotion to the influx of new players on the offensive line, which includes two true freshmen and a JC transfer. They then seem to beat out Sheller, seeing that Neuheisel approached him at the beginning of this week and asked him to switch to defensive tackle.

"He’s a total team player," Neuheisel said. "From fighting back from the injuries he’s sustained to now being of use on the defense. If need be he’d come back over and have the right attitude."

Sheller, who has not played on defense since 2005, struggled while working with the second string Thursday. He is still very much learning his new position but has welcomed the move thus far.

"I’m pretty excited about it," he said. "I really wasn’t doing much with the offense. Whatever the team needs me to do, I’m here for the team. I’m not disappointed at all."

That kind of story makes us root for kids like Sheller even harder. It will be hell of a story if he ends up contributing from that position this season.

Lastly, before heading out to Drake, note some players will be sitting out due to minor bumps and bruises. Kai Forbath (sore right leg), Jerzy Siewierski (back) and Gavin Ketchum (hamstring) are going to sit out today. I rather have those guys healthy than aggravate minor injuries at a Fall scrimmage.

GO BRUINS.

Spaulding Roundup: Slugging Through Two A Days (With Energy)

Nestor — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:20:35 -0000

Bruins are hitting the time of the preseason camp when bumps and bruises start taking toll over football teams. Not too surprisingly we are starting to see more reports of players getting injured at practices or coming back from injuries. On Wednesday another lineman - Micah Kia - went down with a knee injury. From the OC Register:

Kia hurt his right knee with about 10 minutes remaining in Wednesday's practice at Spaulding Field.

"Right now it's a right knee sprain," UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said.

By today it could be something worse.

Kia was scheduled to undergo an MRI – either Wednesday night or this morning – to determine the severity of the injury.

"I think Kia will be back," Neuheisel said. "He's that kind of guy. He's worked hard for this."

Kia is the second senior OL to go down with a knee injury during this camp:

"It's sad to see two seniors, Ekbatani and Kia, fall to injury but this game does that," Neuheisel said. "It gives an opportunity to somebody else and whoever it is has to pick up the flag and carry on."

Ekbatani is going to be out 4-6 weeks. Kia's injury means Hasiak will probably get an opportunity to step up right away. Honestly, I don't see any reason to freak out over these injuries. I don't have specific data available to me in terms of ratio of players who go down with these injuries to the entire team every practice. However, the amount of bumps and bruises we are seeing at Spaulding, seems to me fairly normal occurrence at least for this time of the year.

We have to keep in mind what a violent sport this really is. You have 280-310 lb athletes exploding out of their three point stances and gong right at each other in warp speed in down after downs, often leaving them vulnerable. When you put it in perspective, these kinds of injuries shouldn't be all that surprising. That is why it is so incredibly important to have depth in the team and that plays a direct role in whether a team can contend for championships. We don't have that depth yet and it will take another year or two build it up. But then again we knew that as we were going through various positions (well we still have the DB position to go through). If you had that perspective, then you wouldn't freak out over these injuries. Anyway, let's hope CRN is right and Kia gets to come back soon. More after the jump.

In addition to Kia, Maiava was also banged up. Per the LA Times he "sat out the end of practice with a sore left shoulder." It was a preautionary step:

Neuheisel was less concerned about Maiava, who watched from the sideline the last part of practice. Ryan Taylor took over center on the first team and Jake Dean was center on the second team.

"It was precautionary," Neuheisel said. "He just has a sore shoulder, which is the nature of the beast when you're in the trenches."

Now the good news is accorting to practice observers the offense continues to look decent. According to Jeff_is_smiling who has been posting detailed practice reports on BruinGold and other UCLA boards for years, there was a lot of "positive energy" by the offense throughout the practice:

On the good side, and it was VERY good (at least to me) was the swagger the offense seems to have at this point. There was a very good, positive energy by the offense throughout the practice. The defense played well, so they didn't make every play, but the offense definitely made plays. between this morning and this afternoons practices, I saw more athletic plays out of the offense than I saw all last year in all the practices I saw. Throws made to the only spot where the defender cannot get to. Routes run well and excellent grabs made to snag the rock. More time given to the QB to get the throw off.

In past years, I always felt that ANY success by the offense against the defense was noteworthy. Now, even successful plays are not good enough for the offensive coaches. We have come a LONG way in a short period of time.

You can read more specifics from Jeff over here. No doubt the energy level is up due the infusion of new talent. And we can see that in the WR spot. Jill Painter reports how Ketchum, Rosario, Carroll and Marvray are in the thick of competing for three of top five recivers post (Austin and Embree has the other two locked up):

Gavin Ketchum and Rosario Nelson have the inside track on two of the others, although Ketchum is out with a tight hamstring.

Freshmen Randall Carroll and Ricky Marvray have been impressive and taken a lot of reps in practice.

"I don't want to say we were lacking last year, but we're more complete now, if that makes sense," Austin said.

"I think both Ricky and Carroll complete us. Carroll adds a deep aspect, and we can stretch the field on one side.

Ricky runs pretty good routes for him to be a freshman. He can help out with the stuff underneath and the intermediate routes."

These guys are getting everything they can handle from their defensive team-mates. To get a sense of how charged up our DBs are read the following comment from walkon CB Andrew Abbott in the LAT (emphasis added):

Andrew Abbott, a walk-on cornerback, reestablished himself quickly in full-contact drills after returning from a concussion Wednesday.

He spent most of both practices on the first team as the nickel back.

"Working with the first team as the nickel is a good way for me to get on the field right now," Abbott said. "I'll do special teams, I'll do anything. I just want to play."

No wonder there is a sense of energy in practices we haven't felt in years. The fun gets started again today at 3:00 pm PST. There is only an afternoon practice today. Coaches will have two practices tomorrow before putting together the scrimmage at Drake (5:00 pm) on Saturday. I know I would get out there to check out these guys if I lived near LA. Hope many of you can do the same and can share the stories with rest of us.

GO BRUINS.

Spaulding Roundup: Freshmen Making Fast Impressions, Heating Up Competition

Nestor — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:22:47 -0000

In my post on injuries I wrote about players needing to step up whenever someone gets nicked up in practice. The guy so far that is taking the most advantage of injuries is freshman WR Ricky Marvray. Ricky has been getting more reps due to another freshman - Randall Carroll - sitting out from a groin injury. Apparently he is making a fast impression on Neuheisel and rest of the staff. From Erik Boal in the Daily News:

While coach Rick Neuheisel is waiting for freshman Randall Carroll - the state 100- and 200-meter champion at Cathedral of Los Angeles - to return from a groin injury, Marvray is taking full advantage of the Bruins' desire to stretch the field on offense.

"I always want to be the deep threat. Who doesn't want to score?" said Marvray, who averaged 17.7 yards per catch during his senior season at Division I state champion Centennial of Corona. "I'm just looking for the ball, period. I'm trying to get open any way I can. ... I've been known to be able to get it done before and I'm just going out there and giving it every ounce in my body to try and make things happen."

It's an attitude that caught the eye of Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow, who steadily have been rotating Marvray with the first unit in live scrimmage situations. That gives Prince several deep threats along with senior Terrence Austin, sophomore Taylor Embree and fifth-year senior Gavin Ketchum.

"Ricky is the type of guy that doesn't let you put him on the bench," Neuheisel said Sunday. "He's always going 100 mph whether he's right or wrong and you have to respect guys who want to play that badly"

Per Erik's notes from the DN blog Marvray had some of the most spectacular offensive plays from yesterday's practice:

Offensive play of the day: Although redshirt freshman tailback Johnathan Franklin had the longest gain in any live drill with his 40-yard run, it was freshman receiver Ricky Marvray that came through with several impressive catches, the most signifcant a diving reception in the end zone in between two converging defenders on an underthrown 20-yard pass by Kevin Prince during 7-on-7 red zone drills. Marvray also added a leaping 25-yard reception over the middle and in coverage on a pass by Richard Brehaut and hauled in a 15-yard pass by Kevin Craft along the sideline.

Perhaps Randall is going to feeling healthy very soon. lol As I said in my last post, this kind of performance from the freshman talent will exert pressure on everyone throughout the depth chart to step up their performances. It's creating a sense of urgency that I haven't sensed around the team for number of years. More on that after the jump.

Chris Foster from the LA Times reports how RBs Milton Knox and Johnathan Franklin are doing their best to break into the 3 man RB rotation. Apparently the competition is fierce that CRN is now open to a 4 man rotation at the TB:

UCLA running back Milton Knox spent the last few months running up and down the large hill near his family's house. Occasionally, he hit the dunes in Manhattan Beach, plowing his way through the heavy sand.

"I'm a man on a mission this year," Knox said. "I know the playbook. The game has slowed down for me. I have to show them what I can do."

There is some urgency for Knox and fellow redshirt freshman Johnathan Franklin. Junior Christian Ramirez and sophomore Derrick Coleman are the top two tailbacks. The scrap is for the third spot and a chance at some playing time.

"If you're divvying up game reps, it's hard to use more than three," UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel said. "But that doesn't mean you can't use four in a game."

However, CRN also talked about how these guys will have to handle pass blocking if they want to get in the game:

"Both still have to handle the pass protection, that's the key," Neuheisel said. "You can't collapse just because somebody's coming at you 100 mph. We haven't broken that egg yet."

Which means they have to get out of the mindset of looking for home run plays every rep and focus on helping the whole team pick up chunks (remember the goal of getting at least 4 yards per carry) of yardage one down at a time:

"Milt has come in and had a really good four days," running backs coach Wayne Moses said. "He's hitting the hole now, not looking for the home run all the time. He's going in and snatching four yards and that's a good play for us."

These guys will have to continue to pound away every play at practice and not get down based on how the rotation looks on coach's depth chart at the end of every day:

Knox with a sense of urgency. Photo Credit: E. Corpuz

This is one of those positions where there will be players getting nicked up and hurt. The key for them will be to have mindet that Mavray is showing and ready to step up, as soon as they are getting extra reps.

One of the players who is doing whatever the coaches ask of him in converted FB Chane Moline. From the LAT:

Moline is not really a fullback, but he plays one on TV on Saturdays. He made the move from tailback in the fourth game last season, after Trevor Theriot suffered a season-ending knee injury. Moline has not let go of the starting position.

"Chane is just a good football player," Coach Rick Neuheisel said. "I think whenever you ask a skilled athlete, a guy who has lots of yards and catches the ball well, and ask him to go be the fullback, that's a change in roles."

At least it is a role. This is the first time that Moline has had a position to call his own. It's more an off-the-rack fit, but it has worked well.

Moline has had to work on his nasty side. He beefed up to 247 pounds during the off-season and is constantly working on his blocking.

"I had to get bigger and stronger," Moline said. "I can catch a pass and I was a tailback here, so I have pretty good ball skills. But blocking has become my main focus."

And yeah Moline and rest of the FBs are getting an extra push this year by yet another precocious freshman - Jayson Allmond - who well - just read his quote in the paper (emphasis added):

Jayson Allmond, a 6-foot, 260-pound freshman, is already getting looks with the first and second teams. Whether Allmond will get playing time this season depends on his ability to absorb the offense.

But, "He's a hitter rather than a hittee," Neuheisel said. "We're looking for hammers rather than nails on that collision."

Or as Allmond put it: "I knock and block. I'm not used to sitting back and watching everything. But I'm a freshman and I have to wait my turn."

Again these kids - Allmond, Marvray et al - are true freshmen. Does anyone really remember freshmen speaking with so much confidence during their first year of practices at Spaulding? I certainly can't and to me it is signaling a subtle cultural shift in the program where these new guys are truly taking on the personality of their head coach right away they stepped into the practice field. Of course as Allmond noted he will probably have to end up waiting his turn, however, he is not letting that reality keeping him down and by all accounts giving everything he has at the practice field.

Lastly, as we are on the topic of freshmen turning up the heat on competition, it looks like Brehaut and Craft now have more competition for the backup spot behind Prince. Erik Boal from the Daily News posted the following on Ted Landers, a 6-foot-5, 186-pound walk-on from Serra of Gardena, who got in his first reps at Spaulding and apparently made the most of it right away against the third team defense:

Landers, who hadn't practiced in previous days in order for all of his paperwork to be certified with the NCAA Clearinghouse, took eight snaps during 11-on-11 competition.

Landers completed 3 of 4 passes during 11-on-11 competition, including a 15-yarder on his first attempt to freshman Ricky Marvray and a 20-yard connection with Antwon Moutra on his last throw.

Although Craft has the edge in experience, none of the quarterbacks have distinguished themselves in the quest to be Prince's understudy. Although he was competing against the third-string defense, Landers threw the ball with confidence and hit his receivers in stride.

Not bad at all. Again we have to keep this in perspective and remember Landers was going up against the third team. However, at the same time I bet that kind of start creates that sense of urgency on Prince, Crissman and Brehaut (and even he is just a true freshman!), forcing them to focus and work even harder in their next practice.

No wonder this guy seems to be having a good time out at Spaulding:

Photo Credit: E. Corpuz

So if you are out in Southern California and haven't done it yet, get out there and take in more practices. Because from what I am reading it hasn't been this fun in a while in Westwood.

GO BRUINS.

Going Back And Forth @ Spaulding

Nestor — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 05:00:10 -0000

In my Saturday's roundup I noted how the young UCLA OL had some good moments against the usually effective DL on Friday. It was somewhat of a rare occurrence (in the context of recent history at Spaulding) as the DL who is used to dominating their offensive counterparts got a taste of physicality from the Bruin OL. Well Brian Price felt challenged and said this after Friday's practice:

"We'll come out tomorrow with a vengeance."

Well look what happened the next day. Here is how the Saturday morning practice went out in Spaulding per Erik Bohl of the Daily News:

Price, Jerzy Siewierski, Datone Jones, Korey Bosworth, Reggie Carter, Akeem Ayers and the rest of the defense made things tough on a developing offensive line, collapsing the pocket on quarterback Kevin Prince or forcing the redshirt freshman to throw on the run on several occasions.

And most of the passes Prince completed were screens to running backs or short underneath routes to receivers Taylor Embree, Terrence Austin and Gavin Ketchum.

In the last two 10-minute offensive series in the controlled scrimmage, Aaron Ware and Sean Westgate intercepted tipped passes and Brandon Sermons recovered a fumble.

And regardless of whether it was Christian Ramirez or Johnathan Franklin there wasn't much room for the tailbacks to run against the first-string unit.

"If you let teams run on you, you can't win," said Carter, a fifth-year senior linebacker who is on the preseason watch list for the Lott Trophy. "It's disrespect as a man if someone lines up in front of you and runs all over you. We have to stop the run first."

Coach Neuheisel was more than happy about the defensive pressure Price and co. put on the Bruin offense:

"it's all part of the ebs and flows of the offense and defense," Neuheisel said. "The defense has dominated around here for a long time, but in order for us to develop offensive consistency we can't have the defense start taking days off to give the offense a false confidence."

There is also another aspect of practices out in Spaulding CRN seems to be enjoying from first week of camp.

It sounds like he is enjoying the intensity and competition during these practices:

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel has emphasized he wants more intensity at practices.

Having center Jake Dean and defensive tackle Justin Mann rolling around in a heated wrestling match might not have been exactly what he had in mind, however. The first of two practice sessions Saturday ended with the players having to be separated.

Gotta say he sounds little more upbeat than the practices last year when he often sounded downright disgusted and disappointed with the intensity he was getting from his players.

We haven't heard coaches talking about this kind of back and forth between our offense and defense at practices in last 2-3 years as the defense has been overwhelmingly dominating our offense shutting it down on all facets of the game. It will be interesting to see how the offensive guys respond this coming week after tasting a little bit of success against Price and co. They have certainly gotten their attention and now it will be offense's turn to show whether it can come back and respond to the defense's stand out performance from the weekend.

GO BRUINS.

Plenty Of Targets For Prince & Co: Options At Wide Receivers & Tight Ends

Nestor — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 17:46:03 -0000

So to date we have taken a look through the options available at quarterbacks, running backs, and the offensive line of this year's team. Provided that our offensive line improves from last year's dreadful season and Kevin Prince and co. can provide steady play at the quarterback position, we might be able to see some fireworks courtesy of our wide receivers and tight ends this coming season. These are two positions Bruins will be loaded IMHO heading into this football season.

Let's go through the wide receiver position first. The two guys slated to start are Taylor Embree and Terrence Austin. From Sam Saig at All Pac-10 blog:

The top three receivers from last year’s squad are back, including sure-handed sophomore Taylor Embree.

The 6-3 194 pound Embree burst onto the scene last season, setting school records for receiving yards (531) and receptions (40) among freshmen wideouts. His 531 receiving yards led all Bruins in 2008 and his 40 catches were second on the team. Embree’s fantastic freshman season garnered national attention as he was named second team Freshman All-American by The Sporting News. He played in all 12 games, and started eight.

Embree is a possession-receiver in the best sense of the term. The Overland Park (KS) native is an exceptionally gifted route-runner and possesses rare instincts that allow him to separate from defenders. Those instincts could make the cerebral sophomore Kevin Prince’s emergency option whenever a play breaks down.

Embree does not shy away from contact, and routinely ran dangerous "across-the-middle" routes last season. He uses his big frame very well, and has tremendous hands that seem to catch everything, especially for first downs. Embree enters the season as one of the premier offensive threats for the Bruins.

Joining Embree as a starter will be senior Terrence Austin. Austin led the team in receptions as a junior with 53. He finished second on the team with 461 receiving yards and one touchdown. The 5-11 173 pound flanker is a multi-talented athlete that can hurt the opponent in a variety of ways. He set a school record last season with 1,878 all-purpose yards, which broke Maurice Jones-Drew’s mark of 1,863. Austin also became the first Bruin ever to eclipse 1,000 yards on kickoff returns (1,109).

Austin is very effective on reverses and trick plays, giving the ultra-creative Norm Chow a speedy playmaker to utilize in 2009. Last season, Austin had 13 carries for 90 yards (6.9 YPC). Teammates and coaches alike have praised the Long Beach Poly (CA) product for his leadership qualities, and he was voted as one of the team captains at the end of spring. Austin will be a key contributor for the Bruins in 2009.

Sam mentioned how Taylor doesn't shy away from contact and has no fear running across the middle. I think we can say the same about Austin given the courage he displayed last year (just think back to the Oregon game in Eugene). The question that folks will have is whether Embree or Austin will be able to give us that breakaway option at WR. Sooner or later at least Austin is going to have to house it this year because hopefully he is going to get some strong competition this year. More on that after the jump.

So who will Austin and Embree get that competition from? Well we already have Nelson Rosario on the fold who at least in terms of size (6-5, 214) and athleticism provides us the kind of target we probably haven't had at WR position since the days of Danny Farmer and J.J. Stokes. Case in point:

Photo Credit: dabruins07 (flickr)

He had some money grabs last year (v. Tennessee and Stanford). He also has no problem running those difficult routes. He caught 11 passes for 169 yards in his freshman year and I can't wait to find out the kind of season he will come up with in his second year.

Meanwhile, speaking of kids giving Austin a push in the department of speed, we have to talk about Carroll:

[I]t’s Carroll, and his where-did-he-go speed, who could give the passing game a quick-strike element that would have to be respected.

Carroll, who played at Los Angeles Cathedral High, will have to show he’s ready. At 5 feet 10 and 184 pounds, he could use a little more meat. His savvy level needs to grow.

All that will come. What Carroll already possesses is afterburner speed, as he was a two-time California state champion in the 100 and 200 meters.

Senior linebacker Reggie Carter has seen that speed on display during seven-on-seven workouts this month.

"When the ball is in the air, he goes and gets it," Carter said. "There have been some passes where I thought, ‘No way anyone gets that,’ and he takes off and gets there."

That element could make an already solid group lethal.

That should given folks incentive to pack the Spaulding Field every day starting Monday. I guess the main question right now is whether our much maligned OL will give Prince and co. enough time to find and strike targets like Randall.

Randall will not be on the only option at WRs for Kevin. We will have seniors like Gavin Ketchum as hopefully reliable options. Gavin at 6-5 210 pounds also provides a huge target for our QBs and he has shown decent ability to block downfield. Both Gavin and Rosario (along with Embree) should be able to provide options as attractives targets when our offense gets into the red zone. In addition to these guys we will also have young talents such as Antown Moutra, Jerry Johnson and freshman Ricky Marvray available in our depth chart. I have heard lot of great feedback on both Moutra and Johnson in terms of their size and speed. I am going to assume if those guys prove themselves at Spaulding Chow and Neuheisel, will not hesitate from calling their numbers on game day.

Speaking of big targets, we haven't even gotten to discuss our TEs yet. The TE position will be rich and deep in proven talent provided Moya and Paulsen can stay healthy. From the LA Times:

The absences of Moya (ankle surgery) and Paulsen (broken foot) gave UCLA coaches reason to be concerned in the spring -- so much so that Nate Chandler was shifted back to tight end from offensive tackle. Now offensive coordinator Norm Chow calls it the deepest p

osition on the offense and the place where he has the least worries … for now.

Injuries and other issues created a stockpile at tight end, where the Bruins have multiple personalities, starting with seniors Paulsen and Moya.

Paulsen, who was granted a medical hardship after breaking his foot in the 2008 season opener, is big and alpha-dog physical. Moya, who sat out the 2007 season due to personal reasons, was effective finding seams in the defense and led the team with three touchdown receptions. Both will fill those roles again.

But what makes tight end a Bruin stronghold are Cory Harkey and Morrell Presley.

Harkey, a sophomore, spent the 2008 season on the learning curve and the offseason in the weight room. He is 15 pounds heavier, up to 254 pounds, and is expected to be an effective point of attack tight end, as well as a gifted receiver. Harkey and Paulsen fit well into Coach Rick Neuheisel’s declaration that the Bruins "will be able to run the ball or die trying."

Harkey and Chandler will definitely give CRN and Chow physical options when they will attemp to ram the ball down opponents throats. Keep in mind, from what we have heard and read Presley at 6-4 222 can also provide a physical option even though chances are Chow might also line him at wide to create mismatch nightmares for opponents.

The bottom line right now is that we will able to take advantages of the talents available at these two positions if and only if we can get credible performance from our offensive line and quarterback this coming season. If our OL can generate an above average running game and give Prince and co. enough time to locate the targets, it could be a very fun season. We are not going to know the answers until we see what transpires at Spaulding starting Monday and then game time in less than 30 days. The anticipation is killing me.

GO BRUINS.

2009 Opponent Previews - UCLA

Will — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:10:58 -0000

More photos » by Nick Ut - AP

4 months ago: UCLA head football coach Rick Neuheisel speaks at a news conference at Pac-10 media day in Los Angeles, Thursday, July 30, 2009. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

Browse more photos »

The Series

Which non-conference foe west of the Mississippi have the Vols played more than any other? It's the Bruins, with 14 meetings in the books, also good for 6th on the list of FBS non-conference foes the Vols have played all time, behind four ACC teams (Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Duke, Clemson) and Tiger High. The two teams usually play at least one home-and-home series per decade, with UCLA last visiting Neyland Stadium in 1996. The Vols hold a 7-5-2 advantage in the series.

Last Year

Well, we know how it started.

Kevin Craft's four first half interceptions and UCLA's mere 288 yards of total offense didn't keep them from finding those yards when they needed them the most, in a 4th quarter drive that paved the way to overtime. The Vols failed to take advantage of UCLA's early mistakes, and then made some of their own, including a costly Arian Foster fumble when the Vols were looking to go up two possessions. The Vols ran for 177 yards on 5.2 yards per carry, but Jonathan Crompton went 19 of 41 passing, the Vols went 5 of 17 on third down, and when Daniel Lincoln missed an overtime field goal, Rick Neuheisel had his first win and Phillip Fulmer's career in Knoxville headed for the home stretch.

When BYU rocked the Bruins 59-0 the very next week, it was a sure sign of trouble for both teams. Tennessee would finish 5-7, UCLA at just 4-8, with their only wins over the Vols, Stanford (5-7), Washington (0-12) and Washington State (2-11). Full 2008 Results

UCLA Offense

Redshirt freshman Kevin Prince unseated Kevin Craft as the quarterback in spring practice, which is a good news/bad news scenario for Vol fans depending on which version of Craft was planning on showing up at Neyland Stadium. At tailback, Christian Ramirez is an enigma, having been academically ineligible last season but now back as a junior with 19 career carries to his name. Vol fans can appreciate the unearned optimism that Prince and Ramirez are building in Pasadena: since neither was a factor in last year's 4-8 season, surely they must be an upgrade...

Taylor Embree was a Freshman All-American last season and returns at WR with 40 catches under his belt. There is experience all over the field here: Terrence Austin returns as last season's leading receiver, and Ryan Moya was second team All-Pac-10 at tight end last year. There are solid options in reserve as well with Gavin Ketchum and Logan Paulsen - if Prince can get these guys the ball, the Bruins will have playmaking potential.

The Bruins have experience up front, but ranked 110th in sacks allowed last season, so take that with a grain of salt. Injuries have also taken their toll on this unit.

The biggest storyline in this game might be the Lane Kiffin vs. Norm Chow playcalling battle, a Southern Cal special. If Kiffin is about competing, don't think he isn't looking forward to this opportunity a little more than others.

UCLA Defense

DeWayne Walker left as defensive coordinator to become the head coach at New Mexico State, but there is plenty of talent still in the cupboard in Pasadena. DT Brian Price was first team all-conference last year with 4.5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss, and DE Korey Bosworth did him one better with 7.5 sacks. For a Tennessee offensive line that will still be playing with an inexperienced tackle and has zero quality depth, this matchup will be absolutely critical and will be UCLA's best chance to take advantage of the Vol offense.

MLB Reggie Carter is another all-conference player who returns on this side of the ball, who led the team in tackles last season. There is inexperience but upside in the rest of the LB corps, with Kyle Bosworth returning from injury and Akeem Ayers stepping into his first full-time starting role.

Alterraun Verner led the nation in passes defended last season and Rahim Moore grabbed three picks as a freshman last year at safety. UCLA was eighth nationally in pass defense last year, another cause for concern for the Vol offense.

Full 2008 UCLA Stats

Best Case Scenario for the Vols

After a confidence-inspiring win over Western Kentucky, Tennessee plays it smart against the Bruins this time around: a dedicated effort to run and run some more wears down the UCLA defense in the Tennessee humidity, and the Vols minimize mistakes and own time of possession. Meanwhile, UCLA's inexperience at QB and RB shows itself, as the Vol defense completely shuts down the Bruins' running game and makes Prince beat them, and he's unable to pull a Kevin Craft. The defense keeps UCLA at bay all afternoon, giving the Vol offense plenty of opportunities to get the points they need for a solid win for Lane Kiffin. Tennessee moves to 2-0 and feels good about themselves heading to The Swamp.

Worst Case Scenario for the Vols

Let's just go ahead an assume that "Jonathan Crompton hasn't changed" and "an injury on the offensive line" go in this slot for all 12 of these games, okay? UCLA knows what to expect and is tougher on defense this time around, making life tough on Vol RBs and forcing Crompton to make mistakes. The Bruins get the ball to their playmakers on offense enough to put pressure on the Tennessee offense, which is unable to respond. Norm Chow outcoaches Lane Kiffin, and UCLA wins in Neyland Stadium, giving the Kiffin Era a bitter dose of reality in just its second game.

Game Importance Ranking - 8.8

Last week in the Big Orange Roundtable, I said the UCLA game was the most important game of the season because of its position on the schedule...so while a couple of other games will have a higher ranking, those games will be significantly less important if the Vols fail to win this one.

Make no mistake: this is The Gateway Game. Win, and you're 2-0 and will almost certainly start 3-1, with a real chance to still be thinking about 8-4 or better. Lose, and you're already one in the hole with plenty of tougher competition still coming down the pipe, and we're hoping for six wins. If Lane Kiffin wants people to believe in any level of instant turnaround, he has to win this game.

Whether Florida beats the Vols by 1 or 100, it won't affect the confidence of the team and the program the way winning or losing the UCLA game will. The Vols can get dusted by Florida and still feel good about their chances against Auburn, Georgia and most of the rest of the schedule if they beat UCLA.

I expect this to be an ugly football game, much the same way last year's was: if you take away a blocked punt and an interception return, that's a 17-17 ballgame with a world of mistakes. I'm not sure either team is good enough to really pull away from the other (UCLA was picked 7th in the conference at Pac-10 media days), which is easy for us to say now, but if the Vols put a huge number up against Western Kentucky, it's going to be easy to forget. The reality is these are two teams who both have a chance to be above average this season, but it also won't take much to remind you of how they struggled last year. The emotional roller coaster of blowing out Western Kentucky, fighting to the death against UCLA and then getting blown out by Florida - which, like it or not, is the most likely scenario - will be interesting, to say the least.

Losing to UCLA means we're almost certainly looking at a similar year to 2008, seven wins max. Beating UCLA keeps hope alive, and gives the Vols a chance to build on it the next time they play one of these toss-up games, of which there will be several in 2009. If we want to have the sort of rebound season we're all hoping for, that road goes directly through the Bruins.

Recommended Reading from BruinsNation.com:

Talented But Unproven UCLA RBs: Who Will Step Up?

All About Kevin Prince

Pac-10 Media Day Roundup: No Surprises for UCLA