With Sad News Comes ...New Opportunities
by wsmontano1994 on Sep 14, 2009 4:33 AM PDT
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PrintBumped. GO BRUINS. - N
Yes, the immediate reaction this morning to the temporary loss of Prince is disheartening -- to say the least. The kid was doing very well; he may not have been lighting it up statistically but he was indeed leading and he wasn't committing major mistakes that were giving games away. This, after not having played since high school two entire years ago. The kid earned the starting job and now he has to deal with this injury. Sad and definitely not what we needed, esp. after two solid wins. However, with this loss comes new opportunity for this young team.
We have no choice but to move on and focus on KSU this Saturday. And that means true Frosh Brehaut should be at the helm. The kid is our #2 guy and left h.s. early to get here, and he's extremely talented. We may very well discover that he's even better than Barkley over at $C (who looks like he's about 13, by the way).
Brehaut and our team will be better off by getting some time to play together. Given how injury prone our QBs have been in recent years (due to bad luck and not necessarily poor recruiting, at least I would say), it is probably a good thing that our #2 guy get some experience, esp. against Kansas State and at home, no less. This will also allow us to at the very least TRY to re-establish a solid running game -- if anything it looks like we have some pretty good talent back there once again in Franklin, Knox and Coleman (if Moline can stay healthy, maybe we can add him to the list as well).
Norm Chow is probably the perfect guy to have in our corner during times like these, because he's such a great teacher (as is Coach Rick). There was one scene during the game on Sat. where Coach Neuheisel was animated on the sidelines talking to all THREE of his QBs on the sideline... he was involving all of them and he looked genuinely like a teacher, like a counselor, almost like a big brother (Dorrell never looked that interested whenever on the sidelines, as you all recall -- night and day comparison with Coach N.), exhibiting patience, emphasis, and just genuine passion. It was great! These next few weeks, I am certain, Chow will take some time to cultivate a real learning environment and set up a gameplan where our next QB will be allowed to move cautiously, but smartly, as he attempts to guide the team.
Our o-line, in many ways also becomes stronger because of this, getting to know Brehaut and how he functions... this sort of symbiosis is essential between a QB and his line. Prince clearly has been bonding more with his line in recent weeks and the same will now be allowed to happen with Brehaut. We may very well discover this kid is the real deal and if we have some type of QB 'controversy' because of it, well, that's a GOOD problem to have, for a change. Not like two years ago where we were dipping DEEP into the QB till and using a walk-on QB against ND at the Rose Bowl (one of the more embarrassing games in our history, I might add).
Most importantly, this provides our Defense the opportunity to rise to the occasion even more... Let's not kid ourselves here, our D won the game in Tennessee this weekend. The play of R. Moore (5 INTs in two games!), Reggie Carter, the Bosworth boys, A. Verner, B. Price(!), this list is getting lengthy isn't it?? Bruins, we have a SOLID Defense... we should be grateful to outgoing Coach Walker who bears some of the responsibility for this as does Coach Neuheisel -- putting the right guys on the field and making them tougher week in and week out is what has led to this 2-0 season thus far. Just keep thinking about what they did to Crompton and to the Tennessee O-line on that last drive on Sat. -- it's something to be very excited about... Against a team like KSU, our D will get even better... and then it's time to rest up for two weeks before we face Stanford... and then it's party time (!)... Hopefully by that point Prince is back (it's a possibility), but if he is not, in Brehaut we trust!
In one of the Sunday articles in the Times, Coach Neuheisel was quoted as such, when he apparently spoke to the contingent of Bruins fans who were in Tennesse, on hand to watch the game live: '"We are going to get ourselves back to the pinnacle!"
I don't think Terry Donahue ever uttered words like that... certainly not Coach Dorrell... Coach Toledo did, and almost took us there, but there was always a 'softness' to his teams. Coach Neuheisel actually means it... the manner in which he pays attention to the Bruin faithful at games proves his passion not only for his sport, and for his job but most importantly, for UCLA. We're lucky to have this guy and this is only the beginning. This little setback is what the good coaches ultimately laugh at and expect -- challenges such as these... that's what makes them good coaches in the end.
I think despite the most unfortunate loss of Prince, albeit temporarily, we have still a lot to be excited about... One game at a time, gents... ONE GAME at a time... one snap at a time... one series at a time... if we take on that attitude, that type of focus, we'll be in the thick of it come November...
Go Bruins!
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.
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Silver lining?
With the injury occurring at the end of the game, at least it allows Brehaut one full week of reps with the first team before being inserted as the starter. He will be fine. Got to work on that Center/QB exchange. Expect some freshman miscues. Maybe we’ll be pleasantly surprised.
by Give me a B... on Sep 13, 2009 10:48 PM PDT reply actions
That was my first thought
At least Brehaut can prepare as the #1.
One other thing re: Dewayne Walker. I wonder if he wishes that he stayed at UCLA. I bet he could have parlayed one more good year as UCLA’s DC into the Colorado job…because Hawkins is toast. I should mentioned that New Mexico State won their game againts Praire View (241 rushing yards for the Aggies!).
Perfect Game
Unless we are playing for a BCS bowl, K-state is truely a meaningless game. We don’t move up the P10 standings and we realistly would need to go 4-5 in P10 play to even be considered for a bowl (giving us 6 for the year to be bowl eligible). So win or lose this game does nearly nothing , with the exception of keeping momentum and winning again on national TV (Fox late coverage).
Throw in K-State sucks, this is a home game, and RB gets a full week of practice as #1, and I don’t think we’ll fall down much. I’m expecting 100-150 yd passing, 1-2 tds. All the backs (DC, MK, RF) should get 40 total carries this week.
Smugness
Don’t act like those Tennessee fans who were predicting blowouts last week. If you are not going to respect our opponents, you will have to talk that kind of smack somewhere else.
blowout
..not sure where you got i predicted a blowout. I said our preformance shoud not fall much.
We put up 33 points and 19 points. If we take the avearage, drop a few points, we’re looking at roughly 24 points. Even if you assume a defensive shutout, that would make it 24-0, which is hardly a blowout. Solid win, but not a blowout.
by bruintarheel on Sep 14, 2009 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions
You came here to run your mout about how KSU "sucks"
As I mentioned up and below, offer up that commentary somewhere else.
Uh...No
Our team/program is not in a position to take ANYBODY lightly. Every single game must be treated as if it is the SuperBowl. Especially with such a young roster. Look at all the other upsets throughout CFB every year. If we don’t come out focused, we’ll lose this game.
my point was...
…that in the big picture of 2009, this game will not make much of a difference. It will not determine if we get to a bowl game and where we place in the P10 standings, our following 9 games will determine that. In other words our game against WSU will be 100x more important than this KSU game.
My note about KSU skill was based on their result from their first 2 games. Neither game was impressive, if anything they were rather unimpressive (close victory at home against non-BCS team, loss to another non-BCS team). humm. Seems rather win-able even for last year’s UCLA team, which beat Stanford, Tenn, WSU and Washington (road).
Also since i’m not on the team, i personally don’t mind taking teams lightly. If my name was Richard Brehaut, then…..
by bruintarheel on Sep 14, 2009 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Well if you are going to take teams lightly
You need to do it at another message board or blog. This is not the kind of place where you get to disrespect opponents. There are plenty of places to run that kind of smack. We have done without it here on BN and we will keep it that way. Thanks.
We still have to play, and play well
Ask Michigan State about their nothing game last week end. Even if Kansas State is not as good as they were in past years, they still have players who were stars in high school, and who practice diligently, and who will be giving their best effort.
We will have a freshman starting, and in my opinion the talent drops off after Brehaut (although there is no question that the heard does not drop off.) This will be a tough game for us for that reason alone.
Unless KSU calls and says they’re not coming, I think we have to figure on a tough game against a team who will not roll over and play dead. No D-1 team does that, as far as I can tell.
Bruintarheel?
Nothing personal, but that strikes me almost as self-contradictory as bruint…
Let me try again: bruintr…
Nope, just can’t do it.
Easy to explain: Graduate School
Listed in order of preference and attendance. When you think about it both schools are really similar in many ways.
1. Both public schools in outstanding locations
2. Academically ranked about the same
3. Light blue makes it easy to identify a single wardrobe, no ketchup or mustard conflicts
4. Rivals are snobbish, spoiled, rich private school jerks. One side is from NJ the other OC.
5. Either #1 or #2 in basketball tradition (depending on your criteria)
6. Similar Basketball first, Football second mentality.
7. Still Football has been relatively successful at both schools (good FB alumni, late 90s success, up and coming teams now)
by bruintarheel on Sep 15, 2009 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Football is not "second" at UCLA
We have done tons and tons of post here to push back against the BS that UCLA is just a basketball school.
And don’t compare Tarheels’ football history to ours. They are not even close.
Too harsh again, Nestor
You don’t think the Tarheels football history compares to ours, but I disagree. We had that five year reign of error, which I don’t really want to think about any more. It looks to me like UNC’s entire football history compares very favorably to what we went through during that five year hiatus from reality. So I think you can validly compare UNC’s football history to that one spell of ours.
When was the last time UNC went to a BCS game?
Also how January 1 games UNC has appeared at in its football history? Where do they rank in AP’s all time top-25 rankings? I don’t believe they are anywhere close (never mind that they have been playing in a joke football conference which had to add teams from Big Least to give it credibility).
It’s an insult to compare UNC and UCLA having same level football program.
Sorry, I was too subtle
We sucked during the tenure of the guy prior to Coach Neuheisel. We couldn’t …, well I won’t make your stomach get all knotted up reminding you what it was like then. We have had ups and downs but nothing like that. What I was trying to do was compare all of UNC’s football history to the most horrible period we have ever had. In the words of Yogi Berra, I shoulda stood in bed. Sometimes the point gets lost in the attempt to say it in a clever way.
Bottom line: I was agreeing. UNC has never had a football program and most likely never will. We always had a football program except for the time it was entrusted to the wrong guy.
Reading...
Can you quote me where i said UCLA was just a basketball school?
Also are you saying that UCLA basketball is not more popular than football?
UCLA football is historically a top 25 program, UCLA basketball is historically an ultra-elite program. Nothing wrong with being a top 25 progam so i’m not sue why you’re all wound up about that.
by bruintarheel on Sep 15, 2009 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Uh don't try to play dumb
You wrote:
Similar Basketball first, Football second mentality.
That is essentially arguing that UCLA is a “basketball school” similar to UNC. It’s not and I am not going to get into a back and forth on this because we have established pretty clearly that UCLA is not just a basketball school. We are not going to rediscuss hashed out issues here on BN.
You also then went on to imply that somehow UNC’s football tradition matches that of UCLA, which also is nonsense (and you can browse through links of numerous posts on UCLA’s historical place in college football and where UNC fits in contrast).
And I am saying UCLA football is just as popular as UCLA basketball within hardcore Bruin fans. It’s pretty easy to make that argument if you take the metrics of fan interest here on BN and other major UCLA online communities.
It is clear you don’t really have a good sense of the zeitgeist of UCLA fans … because you are too wrapped up splitting your loyalties between our Bruins and your Tarheels.
This blog is not exactly for you if you want to come here to argue that there is debate whether UCLA basketball program is better than Roy Boy’s UNC.
Also
There is no debate about whether or not UCLA is a better basketball school than UNC. If you have doubts about that, you don’t really belong here.
I agree here, too
We beat them in ’68 for the title, and it would not come as a shock if we were to do it again this year.
???
Anybody think the staff intends to play both QBs, maybe have Brehaut well prepared for 2/3 to 3/4 of a game and have Craft propared for the balance, giving each guy less to concentrate on? I’m not a big fan of the two QB thing typically, but we do have a somewhat unique situation where a true freshmen #2 is backed up by a guy who started the entire previous season. I have no doubt we can win the game with Brehaut if he plays up to his ability, especially since he was here early but I wouldnt be surprised if Coach Chow optimizes this situation beyond my expectations.
I think KC deserves a shot
He’s become the poster boy for what was essentially Dorrell’s miasma. Give him a shot, see what he can do is my feeling. Maybe, just maybe..
I agree
KC put up some amazing numbers at MtSac. Granted, UCLA is D-1 football and KC is admittedly lacking in raw talent, but KC has the ability to straight up play, and play with heart and leadership. I don’t think it was his lack of ability that made it a poor year last season. I think it was more that he was thrown into a new system (that operates under center no less) where he was getting smacked around every play. This is the year he was supposed to play. The year between Olsen/Cowan and Prince. He’s the buffer. I say test him now to see if he has what it takes. But then again, I thought burning RB was a bad idea – have you seen the drop off in CA QB recruit talent after this year? Next two years of QB recruiting are not going to be that good (at least not at the level of RB; maybe Crissman good with some sidearm throwing that needs to be worked on, but no frosh starting material).
Speaking of MtSac – here is my shameless plug for Kapono Asuega, DT @ MtSac, starting as a freshman, big UCLA fan. Didn’t have the scores to get in but wouldn’t go elsewhere (heckled Pete Carroll when Carroll came to scout him in HS) so chose JC with the dream of transferring to the Bruins. Straight out beat Williams (you know, our recent transfer) in summer practice. Dominated the younger Kahlil (sp?) (now across town) throughout high school. And regularly beat 5 stars at camp. At 6-1, 285, the kid personifies the gutty little bruin and plays at twice his size. Join me in hoping we can get him transferred in at the end of the season.
i agree
he needs a muligan for last year. Who knows what he can do with an improved line and a little protection (see the 2nd half of UT game last year). After 3-4 games in ‘08 it’s easy to tell his confidence was shattered.
by bruintarheel on Sep 14, 2009 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions
nice post but,
not sure how our “o-line” gets stronger because of this? Maybe you meant to say they “have to get stronger” but just by losing your QB1 doesn’t make the guys in the trenches stronger.
Our 0-line needs to really step up now. They have been serviceable at best these past 2 weeks and really need to take their games to the next level for Brehaut to have any success. This doesn’t happen just because they lost their starting QB for a few weeks.
2 game audition
Brehaut’s next 2 games mirror Prince’s first 2 games: one home game followed by a road game. The only difference is the bye in between. Hopefully the offense works out those kinks before conference play starts.
I think the starting qb should be open
I think whoever has the best week in practice should start. If that’s breuhart great, bit if craft is able to show he is playing better he should get the call. I think the competition would be healthy.
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Sep 14, 2009 8:56 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
positives
at least this didn’t happen early in the Tennessee game
Prince will only be out for 3-4 weeks, not the season
Prince has a very capable young gun behind him
Prince is hurt during arguably the absolute softest 3-4 weeks of our schedule
Brehaut has one of our weakest teams up for his debut (not to say its a gimme, just that it is a VERY winnable game)
Brehaut has a bye
Brehaut has Stanford (if Prince isn’t ready yet, that’s right at 3 weeks, so I don’t expect it) who, while improving and a challenge, is a team we have a very decent shot at
Prince only hurt his jaw, not shoulder or knees, so his biggest challenge is to keep at a healthy playing weight and good conditioning
Prince can still throw and do light workouts, just avoid taking hits, so he can still practice (I am guessing)
So all in all, this is the best news you could get if someone told you your starting QB went down
Check, check, check (times 9)
Good points. I think in hindsight this can actually work out quite well for us. I have always adhered to the philosophy “everything happens for a reason.” Well, as I have gotten older and gone through some of life’s ups and downs, I have modified my mantra to include “in the long run.” Through a myopic optic this may seem like a major blow, but if we respond intelligently and constructively to this challenge, I am sure that we will benefit long term. Giving our number two QB from practice in a live setting might be just what the doctor ordered a year from now.
That said, from a personal standpoint I feel tremendously for Prince. He has been every bit as delightful to watch as I had hoped for, and I pray that he too will use this time to study his mistakes and come out stronger and wiser than ever.
B.F.
Re: "Let's not kid ourselves here, our D won the game in Tennessee this weekend."
I hope this is not meant as an indictment of our offense. As our UT guests pointed out last week, they have an excellent D too. They could equally say, “Let’s not kid ourselves here, our D kept us in the game this weekend.”
Despite not putting up big numbers, our o was able to move the ball enough to use Forbath, and kept the ball enough for the d to not get entirely worn out.
Definitely not an indictment of our Offense
Simply pointing out how potent our Defense is… Our Offense for certain kept us in the game, but our Defense delivered this win with a few key stops, constant pressure, turnover-inducing plays, etc.
Given that we had a freshmen QB starting and virtually untested RBs and a line that is JUST getting to know itself, we did fine. No complaints. If anything, one can see how this Offense can only improve as the season progresses.
I think our Offense has the potential to become solid, very very good. Our D on the other hand, has the opportunity to be GREAT, if they can all remain healthy.
W.S. Montano Class of 1994
by wsmontano1994 on Sep 14, 2009 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions
I've been going back and forth on it.
From what we have heard, RB is the most talented QB in the entire group, but still needs to get a better hold of the playbook (Prince had the advantage because this is his second year in the system). Because of that, it would be good to see what he can do for an entire game. But, a part of me is leaning towards Craft. Make no mistake about it, this is a big game. Every game for us this season is big, and we need to approach it as such. KB might be the most talented, but I’m sure, none of the QBs understand the offense as much as Craft, being that he started a full year in the system (it might be his senior standing and not his horrible season last year that has him buried on the depth chart). Granted, that year of exposure was a horrendous year, but our O-line was patchwork at best, and our running game was non-existent (partly bc of injuries, partly bc of the O-line). Maybe with this season’s improvement in both arenas, Craft might be able to do a few things.
Also, I disagree that this game would not help us to become bowl eligible at the end of the season. It’s not like we are playing against North East South West Louisiana State or anything! K St. is a D1 school in a BCS conference. End of discussion. A 3-6 conference record wouldn’t look good of course (and hopefully, this is a meaningless discussion by seasons end), but bowl bids are more about whether or not we can draw the fans, so a local bowl in, say SF, might be an option.
brehaut all the way
he’s got the goods and the coaches aren’t going to ask too much of him at least this week.
i understand folks lining up behind craft, experience and what not. but doesn;t the fact that craft couldn’t solidify the #2 spot and the fact that neuheisel felt inclined to burn brehaut’s redshirt give you all any pause? mt. sac stats, really? um we don’t run the spread offense like they do at mt. sac…i think that classic definition of insanity rings true here, doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. neiheisel and co. are using their noggins and going with brehaut because he gives us a better shot to win and i’m all for it. Dicky B for mayor of westwood, haha!!!
Across The Face
Of course, if he is the best, then give it to him.
My question is, is he the best answer RIGHT NOW?! I hope he is. That would be fabulous. None of us is coach RN, so all we can do is speculate as to how he created his depth chart. I can only assume that Prince was named the starter because Brehaut doesn’t yet have full command of the playbook (by all accounts, he’s the most talented on the roster, so if he knew the playbook, he would have been the guy from day 1). We also know that Prince was healthy enough to play mid last season (he ran the scout team) when the wheels had fallen off, and a QB seemed like the best idea. One could assume that CRN figured that it wasn’t worth burning Prince’s redshirt year because, with that O-line & rushing attack (wait, was it an attack?), the results would have been the same with Prince. I don’t think I would be crazy to say that Craft is probably not as bad as we think he is, and if he had a chance behind our revamped line w/the aid of our running game, he might just surprise us. He is probably 3rd on the depth chart to give both Prince and Brehaut the most reps in practice to give them both the chance to compete for the starting spot this season and beyond. Craft might not get that chance because he has no future with our program. He’s a senior; placing him higher on the depth chart isn’t helping us to build for the future. But him leapfrogging RB on the depth chart still allows RB the same reps in practice and allows him to come along at a comfortable pace. Of course, pure speculation, but reasonable speculation.
Let's say no to KC
Please, no Kevin Craft! Brehaut has to be out starting QB; give the younger (and much more skilled) guy a chance to make exp!
Kevin Craft
is a warrior. He had an absolutely hideous year largely because our OL was decimated.
No one claims that KC’s numbers were good last year. But it definitely was not all his fault. And yet the guy kept taking the abuse as our QB game after game and he never complained once.
Personally, I’d like to see Brehaut in action. But let’s not bash KC.
Agreed, Craft solid and we're lucky to have such an experienced QB at third string
I don’t mean that to sound funny or even overly facetious, but seriously, if the worst were to occur, our THIRD stringer at the position is more experienced than most and I’d be pretty comfortable giving him the ball and the control of the O.
This kid gave his heart and soul and all his effort to the team last year. Not six months prior, he wasn’t even in the program last year and suddenly was the starter for virtually every game. He took a beating behind a pretty lackluster and not to mention horribly injured line… The fact that he four games, two of those big comebacks as time ran out, was i believe a significant accomplishment. He may not have the raw talent of Brehaut and Prince, but he deserves our respect and our appreciation.
That being said, however, it looks like Brehaut all the way this Saturday.
W.S. Montano Class of 1994
by wsmontano1994 on Sep 14, 2009 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd love to see Craft get a chance to show what he can do.
He’s shown moments where he was decent last year. Give him a better OL and running game, and maybe he can improve his game. That said, I understand the argument behind starting RB, because he’s the future and he could use the experience more. Whoever starts, it won’t disappoint me greatly.
While the line was a big part of it
Much of Craft’s trouble came from staring down where he was going with the ball. I believe I read he was doing more of the same in both camps.
ok fair enough,
but don’t you think he had that shot in the off-season? during spring ball, during training camp, during practice? sure he hasn’t received all the reps or even the majority of them but wasn’t the qb competition open to the three from the get go? i’m just saying i trust what neuheisel and chow say and do. games that count are no place for auditions. and as far as him not complaining about things, his dad sure did complain last year.
Across The Face
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