Roundup: A 'Deceptive' Win
It looks like you all have done an awesome job of articulating what has been going through my head after watching last night's ugly win. Please keep the posts coming guys. Your thoughts give all of us sanity as we wade through some of the nonsense we read through the MSM every day wrt to UCLA football.
As expected players and coaches' quotes have shown up all over the local players, blowing up another meaningless win over a pathetic lower tier Pac-10 program that UCLA should cream 9 out of 10 times.
Anyone who watched that game last night knows what an ugly performance it was until when Oregon State decided to self destruct in spectacular fashion in the fourth quarter. Dohn to his credit called the 40-14 score "deceptive" aptly describing how the Beavers gift wrapped a UCLA win:
After Breazell's touchdown, Oregon State's Gerard Lawson fumbled the kickoff and Matt Slater fell on it.
"The ball was just laying there," Slater said. "I couldn't believe he didn't make an attempt to get back on it, or nobody else was there to get on it. I just hopped on it, and it was like, `Happy birthday.' It was just sitting there."
Three plays later Kahlil Bell, who fumbled on UCLA's first two offensive plays (the second of which was returned 33 yards by Al Afalava for a touchdown), finished the drive with a 4-yard run to give UCLA a 26-14 lead.
Lawson then fumbled on the next kickoff, which was recovered by Rodney Van on Oregon State's 39. After four Chris Markey runs, Olson connected with Breazell for a 30-yard score.
"We came through when it mattered the most, and that's the most important thing," Olson said. "We just wore them down, plain and simple. Out there at the end, we were playing harder than they were."
In 2 minutes, 45 seconds, UCLA scored 21 points and turned a 14-12 offensive mess into a 33-14 lead, which made it seem ancillary the Bruins didn't have a first down until the 8:35 mark of the second quarter.
The Beavers demonstrated losing last week's 19-0 lead at Arizona State wasn't a one-time trick.
These guys were probably taking their cue from their overhyped coordinator who also didn't waste any time in taking credit for this deceptive win:
Also worth noting from Dohn's article linked above:
In any event, I think it will be foolish to take too much out of this defensive performance and the one we will surely see this coming Saturday, when our defense will expectedly pulverize a pathetic Irish games. Again these performances will mean nothing if they all get blown up by the offenses designed by Tedford and Bellotti.
Meanwhile, DeWayne's boss is nowhere to be found in LA area papers today. Its really weird. I have not see any major quotes from the Sleeping Beauty in any of the main LA papers this morning (if I have missed something please share them in this thread). However, what I did find was this usual satiric piece from Simers meant to agitate the Dorrell critics - that's us. I think Simes is trying to make the point that Dorrell is not out there making the plays or botching them, but missed the central point that it was a Dorrell led team that came out looking unprepared, not focused, looking hapless against a team they are supposed to dominate if the players performed up to their potential. Simers then went on to provide a disturbing quote from Guerrero:
Uhm I am not sure how else to interpret that remark except that it totally misrepresents what actually happened in the game. The fact is of Oregon State had a competent QB and average special teams, they would have gone up with a bigger lead and put the game away by the beginning for the fourth quarter.
I am not sure what "confidence" DG is referring to but it is certainly not the "confidence" we see in a Ben Howland coached team, which imposes its will on the opposing team on the road during crunch time. There was nothing about last night's performance that gives any of us "confidence." To suggest such is a deep insult to the intelligence of the UCLA football community that follows this program on a day to day basis.
I do want to reiterate couple of positive notes in this roundup, which is to give huge props to Brandon Breazell and Ben Olson. Breazell has been amazing. And as Dorrelian noted early this am, Olson showed a lot yesterday. Despite being handcuffed by early turnovers, undisciplined, poorly coached OL that was killing drives, and providing him with no protection, he hung in there, took his shots, and came up with the win. And Oregon State's defense is a little better than Washington's defense that embarrassed itself at the Rose Bowl (before playing inspired against the Trojans).
Anyways, we are 4-1 on our way to 5-1. Then again as we have pointed out to before to celebrate this kind of "good start" as sign of progress in Dorrells program is nothing less than being in a state of denial. In last 4 years Dorrell's teams have started with a record of 4-2, 4-2, 6-0, and 4-2 only to fold and underachieve in the usual Dorrellian fashion every season. So to get excited about this deceptive 5-1 team after next weekend's destruction of Notre Dame, would not only be foolish but also ignorant given the Sleeping Beauty's mediocre track record in Westwood.
GO BRUINS.
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41 comments
Comments
If you are a KD supporter
by bluegold on Sep 30, 2007 10:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
We won
On a side note, TJ Simers in the LAT wimped out again today in a glowing defense of Dorrell. Simers has spent the better part of 5 years bashing Dorrell (or "Dullard" in his columns) but now, the kid gloves are back on and Dorrell can do no wrong.
Thanks a lot TJ. Just when we needed someone with a critical eye, TJ takes a dive for the worst coach in college football.
by Barnes2JJ on Sep 30, 2007 10:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Anyone watch
Reason I am asking is because they probably are seen by more people than those who would read Simers columns. If they criticize Dorrell, that would be better for BN's cause.
by Steven on Sep 30, 2007 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They won't criticize
by Nestor on Sep 30, 2007 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Simers
by Fedup on Sep 30, 2007 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeap
I don't bother getting worked up over his pov.
But I did find the DG comments very weird and almost insincere. It came across as comments from a man who doesn't understand football. But then again who knows. Maybe he is trying to play coy.
All I know if Dorrell doesn't win the Pac-10, he needs to go.
by Nestor on Sep 30, 2007 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, or he's just covering his flank...
by Fedup on Sep 30, 2007 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fiddling while Westwood is Burning
by Nestor on Sep 30, 2007 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Simers
"At every turn this was a game the Bruins should not have won what with all that went wrong, but the final score is all that counts, and Dorrell went with field position, better athletes on special teams..."
So it's Dorrell's coaching skill that made OSU lose two returns in a row? No kidding he went with "field position".
And let me guess, those two consecutive offsides penalties weren't KD's fault though, just a random fluke.
by Linguica on Sep 30, 2007 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Guerrero quote disappointing
by BruinCore on Sep 30, 2007 10:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The situation will get critical!
When Dorrell starts the inevitable late season collapse (when we play REAL teams with good coaches) we have to do everything in our power to put pressure on Guerrero and the administration. Look at what we are up against!! We cannot let this season slip away if Dorrell blows it. Next year he already has his "rebuilding year" get out of jail free card. We have to make it happen this year!
by BruinCore on Sep 30, 2007 11:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
If DG keeps Dorrell around
It will destroy his credibility as the leader of UCLA's athletic program. It will make him look like a fools.
If Dorrell doesn't win the Pac-10 championship, DG needs to fire him. Period.
by Nestor on Sep 30, 2007 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I feel the Hot Seat
by OutOThsWrld on Sep 30, 2007 11:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Keep in mind
We will see what kind of time we have starting against Cal.
And yes if this is supposed to be the "Show Me Season" for the Sleeping Beauty, I expect a throttling of the Bears at the Rose Bowl.
by Nestor on Sep 30, 2007 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
second half opponents
by bruinhoo on Sep 30, 2007 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
KD down to #41 on Coaches Hotseat rankings
by SinnerBoy 99 on Oct 1, 2007 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is an EXCELLENT point...
by Fedup on Sep 30, 2007 11:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
don't worry, the first 6 games are cake
by silverlakebruin on Sep 30, 2007 11:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
AP rankings just came out...
by Fedup on Sep 30, 2007 11:43 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
25th in USA Today Poll
by Barnes2JJ on Sep 30, 2007 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Thinker's program
by Nestor on Sep 30, 2007 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But I could see the t-shirt already...
Back: "Proud to be an 'Other Receiving Votes'"
by Fedup on Sep 30, 2007 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good point
by Barnes2JJ on Sep 30, 2007 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep... and we can't even blame the weather
by Fedup on Sep 30, 2007 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Saturday LAT run up says it all
Bill
by Mensgym on Sep 30, 2007 1:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
For anyone old enough to remember
I think it fits perfectly.
by Barnes2JJ on Sep 30, 2007 1:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The change it had to come
good choice ... the Who ... exactly what I thought when I heard this Karl Dorrell took over as head coach. Who??
by BruinCore on Sep 30, 2007 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
DG comments are meaningless
by MarcoTheBruin on Sep 30, 2007 2:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
DG Has an Alternative
Posted by one geezer on behalf of the other geezer, Fox, who is on a cruise.
Even with the mad cow's, it seems clear to me that we are not moving in the right direction, that we are going in circles, not turning corners, that our work in progress is not making progress and that we are asleep at the wheel.
The Solution? An interim coach and a first class search for the next head coach.
Fox, this one's for you.
by Class of 66 on Sep 30, 2007 6:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Guerrero is too gutless to make a move
by bluegold on Sep 30, 2007 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Simers' comments
Well, let's see how good we can make the Irish look.
by Oldguy on Sep 30, 2007 5:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
OT--very early odds
UCLA -22 over ND.
SuC -40 (!) over Stanford.
Comments anyone?
by Barnes2JJ on Sep 30, 2007 7:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The latter is a little over the top
by SuperBruinMan on Sep 30, 2007 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But
I think Stanford is going to get creamed. SuC is likely going to take out some frustrations on these guys after squeaking one out against Washington.
by Barnes2JJ on Sep 30, 2007 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And don't forget about the comments
by bornagainbruin on Oct 1, 2007 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Take Notre Dame and the points
Prediction: UCLA 27 Notre Dame 20.
by godblesstyus95 on Sep 30, 2007 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ND is not likely to go 0 for 2007
by bluegold on Sep 30, 2007 7:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
And don't forget
by tasser10 on Oct 1, 2007 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

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