UCLA Style BBQ (13 clicks)
A couple months ago the New York Times did a great review of ballpark food in every baseball stadium in America. Jerry Crowe just pointed out that one of the highlights of that series -- the BBQ brisket sandwich at Angel Stadium -- has a Bruin connection.
Running game woes (18 clicks)
As has been written about since Saturday's scrimmage, the running game needs massive improvement if UCLA's offense is going to be serviceable.
In Craft's words (21 clicks)
Here is the transcript of Kevin Craft's post-afternoon practice chat with reporters after he was named UCLA's starting quarterback.
Morning, folks (13 clicks)
When it comes down to it, the reason coach Rick Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow went with Craft is he knows the offense better.
Craft gets UCLA starting QB job (10 clicks)
Redshirt junior Kevin Craft will start at quarterback for UCLA in its season opener against No. 18 Tennessee.
Forcier: 'It doesn't mean the job's closed' (12 clicks)
With Kevin Craft selected as the starting quarterback for UCLA's season opener against Tennessee on Sept. 1, does redshirt freshman Chris Forcier feel like the odd man out? Not quite. Check out what he had to say to the beat writers following the announcement
Stepheson's choice: USC over UCLA (22 clicks)
North Carolina forward Alex Stepheson, who played at North Hollywood's Harvard-Westlake High, was granted his release from the university in May so he can play closer to home. Either USC or UCLA were the choices.
Spaulding Roundup: Starter Edition (26 clicks)
jlegs already blogged the story early this am. We have a starter and the news is not a surprise to anyone who has been following our practice reports on a day to day basis
WR Ketchum out for Tennessee (22 clicks)
Receiver Gavin Ketchum has mononucleosis and will miss the opener, Neuheisel said. He is expected to return in three weeks.
Coming Home (25 clicks)
Today is apparently WWL's Pac-10 preview day (at least in the online section of their college football page). And the headliner happens to be none other than CRN.
UCLA names Kevin Craft as starting quarterback (32 clicks)
Coach Rick Neuheisel ends the Bruins' quarterback battle touched off by injury to Ben Olson. Junior transfer is picked with opener less than two weeks away.
It's Craft (15 clicks)
Kevin Craft arrived on Campus on April 1st. Exactly five months later, he will start for the Bruins in their season opener against Tennessee.
Neuheisel Opens Up (44 clicks)
Rick Neuheisel had a heart-to-heart with ESPN's Ivan Maisel on Outside The Lines. It's a heck of an interview and helps you appreciate his dynamic personality. He also gives a taste of his pitch to UCLA recruits. [end text]
Calling All UCLA Super Fans (16 clicks)
Are you a student who lives and breathes Bruin football? If so, ESPN The Magazine wants to hear from you. They're selecting one fan from four different schools and handing them all video cameras
UCLA: It's Craft at QB (25 clicks)
As expected, UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel named junior Kevin Craft the Bruins starting quarterback for the opener against Tennessee on Sept. 1 in the Rose Bowl.
UCLA's Bell is now combustible in a good way (38 clicks)
UCLA running back Kahlil Bell is blowing up, but it's the good kind of blowing up. The kind that can cause collateral improvement.
He's the guy (15 clicks)
Asked what he thought Rick Neuheisel saw in him to make him the starting quarterback, Craft said: ``Understanding what's going on and what we're doing. Understanding the offense and managing it. Putting our team in the best position to win.'' [end text]
Craft on the announcement (15 clicks)
Kevin Craft was named UCLA's starting quarterback on Monday. He said he wouldn't change his preparations since he always prepares as though he's going to play.
Ketchum out (13 clicks)
Gavin Ketchum has mononucleosis and will be out of practice for at least three weeks, Rick Neuheisel said. That means he's definitely out for the opener against Tennessee. [end text]
And the winner is... (12 clicks)
Kevin Craft. As expected, Rick Neuheisel named his UCLA's starting quarterback today. Will have more on this later. [end text]
Ringing the Bell (12 clicks)
Kahlil Bell had just one carry in Saturday's scrimmage, but he should get some work in tonight. Rick Neuheisel said he should get some work in this evening.
Still mixing it up on o-line (13 clicks)
O-line coach Bob Palcic continues to change personnel on the offensive line in order to find the best combination. Nick Ekbatani, who'd been playing at right tackle, was at left guard today with the first team, and Nate Chandler returned from injury and was running with the first team at right tackle. [end text]
UCLA's Ketchum sent home... (10 clicks)
UCLA WR Gavin Ketchum was sent home for a week with mono and will be out at least three weeks, including the opener. [end text]
UCLA's Forcier still competing... (15 clicks)
Despite Kevin Craft being named the starting quarterback, UCLA backup Chris Forcier said that he is still under the mindset that anything can happen -- and given the injury situation under center the past several seasons, that's probably the right frame of mind.
UCLA names Craft the starter... (12 clicks)
No shocker here, but Rick Neuheisel confirmed on Monday night that Kevin Craft would start the opener against Tennesee after winning the quarterback battle over Chris Forcier.
Alex Stepheson bound for USC (34 clicks)
USC's basketball program bolstered its frontcourt Monday when North Carolina transfer Alex Stepheson announced he was joining the Trojans. The 6-foot-9 power forward also considered UCLA and Arizona State.
UCLA's Neuheisel on the O-Line... (19 clicks)
Asked about the play of the offensive line during the Saturday scrimmage, UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel offered this up on the play of the unit
UCLA's concussion group expected back soon (8 clicks)
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said he expects the group of players with concussions to all return to no-contact as early as tomorrow and full-contact on Wednesday.
UCLA's Neuheisel on the scrimmage... (11 clicks)
Asked what he saw in the Saturday scrimmage, UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel didn't offer much and the stat sheer showed that UCLA's top three backs carried 12 times for 14 yards and the QB's struggled, but Neuheisel said it wasn't all bad.
Craft named the starting QB for Tennessee (17 clicks)
If Saturday's scrimmage spawned even more questions regarding UCLA's preparedness for Tennessee, Coach Rick Neuheisel decided two days later he had at least one answer: Kevin Craft is his starting quarterback.
O-Line coach Palcic looking for a leader (18 clicks)
How is this for a catch-22? The offensive line still needs more work together before it can gel, Coach Rick Neuheisel said, but doesn't have enough bodies to expedite the process. It has made for what he called an "unusual camp."
Injury update (31 clicks)
Korey Bosworth (ankle) was the only player injured in Saturday's scrimmage, and he returned to practice today. Players with concussions - Reggie Carter, Logan Paulsen, Glenn Love and E.J. Woods - are all scheduled to participate in noncontact drills on Tuesday.
Why USC-UCLA is the most overrated rivalry (76 clicks)
The USC-UCLA rivalry is the most overrated in college football. There is a rivalry. There is some emotion. There is some dislike. But, c'mon. It's in L.A.
Freshman back Dean remains a bystander (84 clicks)
Freshman running back Aundre Dean was one of the coups of UCLA's stellar recruiting class, but he has been somewhat of a bystander in training camp.
Bruins' receivers try to catch on again (31 clicks)
No words were spoken, but UCLA fifth-year receiver Marcus Everett knew something was different when he ran a pass pattern in practice, then stayed on the field for the next play. And the next one. And the next one.
Decision time on the quarterback? (34 clicks)
Rick Neuheisel said after today's morning practice that he might make a decision today on his starting quarterback. Kevin Craft is the frontrunner.
UCLA offense lacking leadership... (42 clicks)
The offense had another sub-par day this morning at practice and at times it looked like QB Kevin Craft was simply running for his life. That all added up to UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel saying the offensive side of the ball needed some more leadership, something he has said frequently this summer whenever the unit is struggling.
UCLA's Johnson back at practice... (23 clicks)
After sitting out the scrimmage because of a left hip bruise, starting wide receiver Dominique Johnson -- a Moreno Valley Valley View graduate -- was back at practice.
UCLA QB Decision by today? (25 clicks)
Coach Rick Neuheisel said that he could formally announce the starting quarterback for the Sept. 1 opener with Tennessee by this evening's practice. Neuheisel said after reviewing the tape of the scrimmage on Sunday, he slept on his own decision at night and was planning on talking to offensive coordinator Norm Chow following lunch today.
More OL juggling for the Bruins... (25 clicks)
Among the changes today at offensive line were Nick Ekbatani moving from RT to LG and Nate Chandler stepping in at RT. Chandler, a converted tight end who is back after sustaining a foot injury last week, did not have a good day and was repeatedly yelled at by OL coach Bob Palcic.
UCLA's Neuheisel on Outside the Lines.... (22 clicks)
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel will be profiled today on ESPN's Outside the Lines, where the hard-hitting program takes a look at Neuheisel's past transgressions and his new start at UCLA. The program airs this afternoon on ESPN2. [end text]
Neuheisel might name starting QB tonight (19 clicks)
Quarterback Kevin Craft passed for just 93 yards and threw three interceptions, but also led two scoring drives in an uneven scrimmage Saturday. Chris Forcier completed 7 of 13 passes with one interception. So which was good enough to land the starting nod against Tennessee on Sept. 1?
Return home gives Neuheisel chance for redemption (33 clicks)
We got it wrong all these years. Wrong. All of it. From the moment in 1995 that Rick Neuheisel stepped into the spotlight as the 33-year-old head coach at Colorado, the media -- and, most certainly, Neuheisel, too -- created the image of a new kind of football coach.
Monday practices (19 clicks)
This is Jill Painter, and I'll be filling in for Brian Dohn today. Morning practice goes until 11 a.m., so I'll post an update after that. Evening practice is from 5-7 p.m. UCLA took yesterday off.
Spaulding Roundup: Got To Keep It Coming (19 clicks)
We will start this Monday with some quick notes on the Volunteers fall scrimmage courtesy of our friends at Rocky Top Talk (RTT). The Volunteers also held their fall scrimmage this past weekend and reading Joel's notes it sounds like the Tennessee offense under its new OC – Dave Clawson – is taking shape
Rick Neuheisel Recaps Scrimmage (31 clicks)
It was a beautiful Saturday in Drake Stadium. We asked Rick Neuheisel to recap scrimmage for fans who couldn't make it.
Last chance to watch practice (14 clicks)
UCLA will close practice to the public after the second session Wednesday, Aug. 20. That's your last chance to see the Bruins before they take on Tennessee in the Rose Bowl. [end text]
Two on track for semifinals (12 clicks)
Over the weekend, track and field competition began in Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games. By the end of day three on Sunday, a couple of former Bruins advanced to the semifinals of their events, and another two got their starts and quick ends in the qualifying rounds of their events.
UCLA QB Forcier is choosing reps over rest (33 clicks)
UCLA quarterback Chris Forcier wasn't fazed when Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel said last week the redshirt freshman needed a better off-the-field commitment to run the offense.
Forcier post scrimmage (audio) (11 clicks)
Here is UCLA second-string quarterback Chris Forcier's interview after Saturday's scrimmage. He completed 7 of 13 passes for 71 yards and an interception.
Craft Post-scrimmage (audio) (13 clicks)
Here is the interview with UCLA first-string quarterback Kevin Craft after he went 8 for 18 for 93 yards, a touchdown and three intereceptions in Saturday's scrimmage.
OL reset (20 clicks)
UCLA's first-team offensive line in the scrimmage consisted of LT Micah Kia, LG Sonny Tevaga, C Micah Reed, RG Darius Savage and RT Nick Ekbatani.
Chow on scrimmage (audio) (28 clicks)
Here is what UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow had to say about the performance of the offense in Saturday's scrimmage:
Running, and scoring, are issues in Bruins' scrimmage (73 clicks)
Offense 14, Defense 9. It may not be the 13-9 score still talked about around Westwood -- UCLA's 2006 victory over USC -- but it did allow the Bruins' first and second offenses to claim victory in a scrimmage Saturday.
Furrowed Chow (62 clicks)
He can’t turn water into wine. The greatest coach in the world can’t win a game without players, and right now, it looks like Norm Chow might need a few more.
One Bruin's Look at the Summer Scrimmage (50 clicks)
Dunno why, but I figured I'd post my thoughts on a summer's eve at Drake. Oh, and by the way, how sweet was it sitting there watching Bruins play football while looking out at America's most beautiful college campus?
Spaulding Roundup: Scrimmage Saturday (at Drake) (23 clicks)
By now everyone should know that the fall scrimmage is set for today (5 pm PST, Drake Stadium). Looks like lot of you have already made fun plans (making the rest of us who live in exile envious). While it should be a lot of fun hanging around campus and taking in some football action after a long offseason, don’t expect any razzle-dazzle from our football team.
Impact (20 clicks)
So it looks like the local panic that swept through LA’s traditional media following Ben Olson’s injury has gone national. Yesterday Ted Miller from WWL pointed to Ben Olson’s latest injury as the "biggest impact item of Pac-10 preseason camp":
On the running game (28 clicks)
UCLA's offensive line had trouble opening holes for the running backs, and offensive coordinator Norm Chow said the pass protection was not what it needs to be.
Neuheisel post-scrimmage (audio) (15 clicks)
Here is the audio of UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel meeting with the media following Saturday's scrimmage at Drake Stadium. By the way, attendance estimates were 3,000 to 4,000 fans.
Scrimmage Update (22 clicks)
It was not an offensive explosion, but at least the offensive outscored the defense (14-9) in the only major scrimmage of training camp.
A scrimmage scratch (18 clicks)
UCLA receiver Dominique Johnson is not dressed for today's scrimmage. I'm told his body is feeling battered from practice, so he is sitting out. It means no Johnson, WR Gavin Ketchum or TE Logan Paulsen for the scrimmage.
Bonus Neuheisel (audio) (10 clicks)
Here is an audio track from Friday of UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel talking about the health of the offensive line, and also about the number of concussions the Bruins are dealing with in training camp.
