Spaulding Roundup - Getting Ready for the Big Time

by freesia39 on Oct 19, 2011 5:01 AM PDT in Football

Tuesday's practice had the team getting ready for Thursday's prime time, nationally televised, seen by possible future recruits game, and Rick Neuheisel knew that the players could not be caught up in the bright lights.

"Being dazzled by a crowd, geting ourselves behind early - if we can come out and get off to a good start and let the game settle in to being a good game and feel good about ourselves with the way we begin the game, we'll have enough to stay in for 60 minutes," Rick Neuheisel said.

Neuheisel, despite having a seat that some may describe as toasty, is still optimistic about this season. UCLA still has a chance to play in the inaugural Pac-12 Conference Championship game.

"I think my guys are excited about being in the race," he said. "We've got a chance with a victory this week to be in first place. That's what we are focusing on."

Neuheisel mentioned that Brett Hundley will be ready to go if needed:

"There's always some trepidation if you're an old man and you're putting a guy in who's never been in before, but that's for me," Neuheisel said. "He doesn't feel any of that at all. He can't wait. He's got a big grin on his face and is excited about getting in the game."

You have to love the enthusiasm from the kid.

As for who will be protecting Brett Hundley and Kevin Prince, Albert Cid and Chris Ward will split time at the left guard position. When asked if neither had distinguished himself at practice:

"Or the other way to look at it is both are doing well and both are getting better and both are deserving. I prefer that approach."

Jon Gold also noted that Stan McKay, Kevin Prince and Tyler Gonzalez had a good practice, all gaining more confidence as we head into Thursday's game with Arizona. If you haven't watched this week's Rick Neuheisel show, Tyler Gonzalez was a guest, so check it out if you get a chance. It usually airs on FSPT in the LA Area, and I have watched it on FCS-Pacific on Comcast at odd hours.

UCLA released the official injury report:

Anthony Barr, FB (right knee) Out
Richard Brehaut, QB (left ankle) Out
Jamie Graham, CB (left knee) Out
Alex Mascarenas, S (head(concussion)) Out (he really wants to play!)
David Allen, LB (right knee) Doubtful (he probably won't play, as per his twitter)
Kip Smith, K (right quad) Questionable
Sheldon Price, CB (right knee) Probable

I also want to point you to a piece written by Gold, which graded the football team at the half, and compare it to our ongoing GPA posts about the team. Gold has us at a cumulative 1.89 (check my math, South Campus people) and we have a 1.50. Peter Yoon has us at a 1.90. Academic probation, for sure.

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What happens to someone on "academic probation"?

I have always wondered that.

by Nestor on Oct 19, 2011 6:27 AM PDT reply actions

Do you mean academically?

If I remember correctly, you get placed on a two quarter academic probation where there’s some sort of minimum GPA of all the following courses based on a 12-unit per quarter minimum…I believe it’s an overall 2.0 with no quarter falling below that number also. If you don’t meet this, then I believe there is a hearing where dismissal usually occurs.

by bruinhopeful on Oct 19, 2011 7:32 AM PDT up reply actions

I can only speak of how it works here at Pdine..

But that is basically correct. I can only add that dismissal doesn’t always occur if a student doesn’t meet the requirement while on probation. Quite often, he will still be given a second chance, especially if he writes a well thought out and organized response stating why he should remain wth the university. It also helps a lot if his academic advisor, or other faculty member, goes to bat for him.

I may work with the Waves, but I'm still a Bruin!
(Formerly "HoozierDaddy")

by BlueWave on Oct 19, 2011 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Ah, here you go:

by bruinhopeful on Oct 19, 2011 7:32 AM PDT up reply actions

http://collegecounseling.ucla.edu/probation_regulation.html

by bruinhopeful on Oct 19, 2011 7:33 AM PDT up reply actions

Aaaha ... thank you.

by Nestor on Oct 19, 2011 7:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Want more responsible comments from the HC

He sounds like an analyst describing what Thursday night could/might/will be like for the team. If he is the HC, he needs to take ownership for the way the team manages the atmosphere and succeeds regardless. This sounds too much like someone unengaged in getting results and standing aside and observing, the way the TV announcers do.

RN is responsible for the result, and that is all there is to say. If they fall on their collective faces, it is his responsibility. If they succeed, it is his responsibility. Why not make comments to the media that reflect that fact of life? Getting weary of his posturing, and i am sure the team is too. This is a key leadership exposure. Sounds just like an AD we all know. RN’s job is to kick ass and take names. He is testing the bounds of Bruin faithful loyalty and patience. Let’s go!!!!

Mensgym

by Mensgym on Oct 19, 2011 8:47 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

Good point

He does sound somewhat detached. With some coaches, you just know that the calm, cliché-uttering personna is the media face, masking the hard-ass face the players, but no outsiders, see. With RN, I get the feeling they’re one and the same.

I also found troubling the casting of our fate into getting off to a good start. What, if we give up a fumble at our own twelve in the first quarter, we’re doomed? If the SPTRs do their thing, and “we don’t feel good about ourselves” early on, the game’s over?

Coaches, and their teams, should be ready for noisy crowds and shitty starts. It’s all part of the game. “Hoping” is a lame way to coach. And, as you say, he needs to own up that this team is a reflection of him.

by GoodTimesBruin on Oct 19, 2011 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions

A couple things about the good start comment

First off, of course the game isn’t over if we don’t win the first quarter, that’s just absurd!

However, given our performances over the last couple of years and the fact that we want to be a run-first team, starting the game off well is definitely important. Not only is our recent history filled with bad starts and failed comebacks, but falling behind takes us out of what we want to do offensively. Wanting to start the game off strong is a bit more than coach speak BS in our case.

by Chris09 on Oct 19, 2011 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions

This ^

A run-first offense just does not work consistently with our defense. Gotta score points, coach.

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Oct 19, 2011 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Good start? Good start? (Think Jim Mora talking "playoffs")

First drives this year:
Houston 16 plays, 80 yards, TD. UCLA 3, 8 punt.
SJS 3, 9, punt, UCLA 4, 35, punt.
Texas 3, 9, punt. UCLA 2, 8, Int.
OSU 17, 82, FG. UCLA 6, 27, punt.
Stanford 15, 119 (yes, 119, counting 20 yds in penalties); UCLA 13, 79, downs.
WSU 13, 76, FG. UCLA 3, 7, punt.

Totals on our “good starts”: In 6 games, our opponents have run 67 plays for 375 yards and 20 points. We have run 31 plays for 164 yards and zero points. About half those yards came against Stanford and were wasted with vapid play calling near Stanford’s goal line.

So much for the “good start” philosophy.

by Fox 71 on Oct 19, 2011 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree those stats are bad

but isn’t that evidence of the fact that leaning to start games off better would be a positive step for this team? Thus a valid talking point and not just BS on the part of CRN?

by Chris09 on Oct 19, 2011 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I think you misunderstood what I was saying.

I’m not saying his statements are BS. Of course it’s good to get off to a good start.

I’m saying that the line of thinking that goes like “if we can come out and get off to a good start and let the game settle in to being a good game and feel good about ourselves with the way we begin the game, we’ll have enough to stay in for 60 minutes” implies that we need to get off to a good start in order to feel good about ourselves and stay in it for 60 minutes.

I would much rather a line of thinking that goes like “I’d certainly prefer to get off to a good start, but we’re going to scrap and claw for everything we’re worth for 60 full minutes, no matter what.”

The former is an I-hope-I-hope-I-hope outlook. The latter is sober determination.

by GoodTimesBruin on Oct 19, 2011 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Having some of my Longhorn friends over tonight for the game; It isn’t often our Bruins are on TV here in the middle of Texas!

by Big Bully on Oct 19, 2011 9:51 AM PDT reply actions

If you have them over tonight ...

You guys will have to watch baseball.

by Nestor on Oct 19, 2011 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions

I proclaim a moratorium on calling for CTSS to be fired for the time being (at least by me)

The team is excited and I don’t want to dampen that. Let them be excited and have some fun and incidentally kick some tail.

Calling for Doughnut Dan Guerrerror’s immediate termination is still wide open.

by Fox 71 on Oct 19, 2011 10:47 AM PDT reply actions

...(and at least for today)

by VeniceBruin on Oct 19, 2011 10:58 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

I sincerely hope

that all of them have the good sense to never read any of these boards. The very idea that any of the opinions expressed on these boards could remotely effect the spirit of Rick Neuheisel, the rest of the coaches or the players, one way or the other is inconceivable and more likely hubris than fact.

by loyalopp on Oct 19, 2011 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions

If they have time to read these boards

they should be fired yesterday.

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Oct 19, 2011 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions

If reading things online can't affect their psyche at all

Then how is it good sense that they don’t read it? Shouldn’t it be irrelevant?

Your Derp moment of the day, brought to you by loyalopp.

by Tydides on Oct 20, 2011 5:54 AM PDT up reply actions

*anyway

reviewing my post, I left off one word in the last sentence: anyway.

by loyalopp on Oct 20, 2011 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd be sweating bullets if I were Rick

If he doesn’t win this game he’s basically done, barring a miraculous turnaround, right?

by ucla139 on Oct 19, 2011 11:45 AM PDT reply actions

In our eyes, yes

In Guerrero’s eyes…I don’t know.

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Oct 19, 2011 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Not completely

He will methodically be alive under the baseline expectations. :-)

by Nestor on Oct 19, 2011 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions

That's true

but to me this is one of his 4 must-win games.

Good grief, my flight leaves right as this game is ending. Looks like I won’t get any shut eye on this red eye…

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Oct 19, 2011 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Unbelievably...

…we should be favored in three out of our five remaining games after Arizona, so you’re right that Rick’ll still be alive even if we lose. Thank God for geography-based divisions, huh?

by ucla139 on Oct 19, 2011 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions