More Questions Than Answers

by Nestor on Oct 1, 2006 10:06 AM PDT in Football Comment 10 comments

So, the Bruins got a scrimmage win against probably the worst college football team in America last night. It was a shut out. But for people who watched the game on TV or at the Rose Bowl, it is getting obvious that after four games in the fourth year of the Dorrell era, there are still more questions than answers with UCLA football. Lets start with Robert Kuwada to revisit last night's ugly, pathetic, inconsistent, unwatchable offensive performance of offensive genius Karl Dorrell's WCO:

In a 31-0 victory over Stanford on Saturday at the Rose Bowl, the Bruins offense scored only two touchdowns and struggled to move the football against a defense that was last among 119 Division I-A teams not only in rushing defense but also total defense.

A questionable play that exemplified some of the difficulties came on a fourth-and-goal situation on the Stanford 1-yard line just before halftime. UCLA tried to run Chris Markey wide - this against a Stanford defense that is smallish up front, has yielded 6 yards per rushing play and is last in the nation in rushing defense. Markey, not known for his speed, took a pitch to the left. He was fanned wide and ended up stopped for a loss of two yards by Cardinal cornerback Tim Sims.

But as that play illustrated, the Bruins have more problems than just some questionable play calls. UCLA's offense did not score a touchdown in the first half. The Bruins' 7-0 halftime lead came when Gavin Ketchum broke through the line to block a Jay Ottovegio punt that was scooped up by Eric McNeal, who ran 12 yards into the end zone.

The play calling was atrocious once again. Dorrell and Svoboda apparently put together a brilliant game plan against THE WORST RUSHING DEFENSE in college football by naturally passing more than running. Yes Bruins threw 38 times and ran the ball 34 times (for 166 yards) against a team that was giving up a staggering 300+ yards on the ground. So its not a surprise to see Dohn marveling at Dorrell and Svoboda's offensive brilliance in today's Daily News:

For as dominant as the defense played, the offense remained out of sync and inconsistent, if not boring, and was greeted by a loud chorus of boos at halftime.

So when UCLA left the Rose Bowl following Saturday's 31-0 defeat of hapless Stanford, good vibes about getting past last week's crushing loss at Washington were present, but so were more questions about a lackluster offense.

The Cardinal, showing why it is 0-5 (0-3 Pac-10) for the first time since 1983, came in allowing a nation-worst 312 rushing yards per game. The Bruins (3-1, 1-1) ran the ball effectively, but not in the dominating style it hoped as they amassed 166 yards and got touchdown runs of 2 yards and 1 yard from freshman Chane Moline.

Opposing quarterbacks were completing 71 percent of their passes against the Cardinal, but Bruins quarterback Ben Olson was 20 of 37 for 219 yards and two interceptions.

And a Stanford team which allowed 39 points per game, and no fewer than 35 in any game, frustrated UCLA's offense into no first-half points, and didn't surrender a touchdown until 2:45 remained in the third quarter.

It wasn't until Justin Medlock's 40-yard field goal with 10:28 to play gave UCLA a 17-0 lead that the win seemed secure. Chane Moline's 1-yard run and Kenneth Lombard's 5-yard fumble return made a closer game appear lopsided.

Medlock for Heisman.

I suppose I can write about how wonderful and dominant our defense looked against Trent Edwards and a bunch of Ivy League dorks posing as receivers and running backs (ok, Toby Gerhardt is good, but he is a true freshman). But I won't. Because just two years ago Dorrell's program shut out Stanford team at home only to come up with a season, which ended with a disgraceful loss to Wyoming.

Yeah, this defense may have improved somewhat only because we are coming off a year in which Dorrell blessed us with one of the worst history of UCLA football (if not college football). Sorry if I contain my excitement about DeWayne Walker until I see how these guys stack up against Dennis Dixon, Jonathan Stewart, Brady Quinn, Darius Walker, Marshawn Lynch, Nate Longshores of the world. Bruins still haven't played a legit D-1 offense yet. Yes Utah's offense sucks donkey b*lls (they scored 3 points against Boise State on their home turf), and Washington, no matter what bandwagoners want to say, is not exactly a good football team. So pardon if I am holding my excitement for this defense that has not played a legit football team.

Right now, after five weeks into the season, Dorrell's football team still looks like it is sleep walking through games. It is making too many mental mistakes, taking stupid penalties, turning the ball over, and generally looks dull, morose, uninspiring, and boring just like its head coach coming out of the gate. They are not exactly firing out on kickoffs. And they won't have the luxury to play shitty/mediocre teams like Utah, Stanford, Rice (and even Washington) after next weekend for a while this season (until they get to take on losers from Oregon State and Arizona State).

Of course, Dorrell is not concerned and talking up a big season. From Steve Dilbeck's column in the Daily News:

Bruins coach Karl Dorrell was pleased his 3-1 Bruins kept forcing the action in the second half.

"We showed we improved on what happened last week," Dorrell said. "I think this team will make a big push now."

The Bruins added late fourth-quarter touchdowns and the final score looked impressive, but the offense still has a long ways to go.

A long ways to go to meet the minimum expectations for this season. But, hey, I will try to give Dorrell the benefit of the doubt and take his word about UCLA football being ready to make a big push. Maybe they will avenge last year's humiliation in Arizona by dropping 50 points on Little Stoops sorry football program.

We will wait to see what happens next Saturday. Right now, it is obvious there are more questions than answers re. the state of Dorrell's average football program.

GO BRUINS.

0 recs | Comment 10 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

i dunno

where dohn's comment about booing came from. I was at the game and didnt hear any booing.

by ranelar on Oct 1, 2006 10:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I heard it

Not so much in the student section (even though I was one of them) so it must have come from the alum sections or something. Just as an aside, anyone else remember Lavin's teams getting blown out at halftime and getting booed in Pauley? Just something to think about...

by scittles on Oct 1, 2006 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I heard booing on TV

after we didn't convert on the 4th and goal. That was right before the half time IIRC.

by Nestor on Oct 1, 2006 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Booing at the Rose Bowl and some other comments

I sat on the 40 yard line and the booing was quite noticeable. The bottom line is this is one of the least talented UCLA football teams I have ever seen (perhaps equal with Bill Bolden 1970's team). Dorrell's offensive recruits are extremely slow. Without any gamebreakers, first option wideouts being walk-ons, a very mediocre offensive line, poor offensive schemes ( are we to expect the WCO to be effective once every 4 years), I can't imagine this team winning more than 5 games. I think with a third of the season in the books, your "modest" expectations are quite unrealistic. Unfortunately, I believe most UCLA "fans" are happy with the lights being turned on at the Rose Bowl and the team wearing "cool" uniforms. Their interest in the quality of the product on the field seems to be minimal. In fact, I almost "puked" when they announced at the end of the game "to stick around so Coach Dorrell could speak to the crowd". I would never do what SUC fans did to their players when they booed them after the last game of a season, but I have no reluctance to boo the coaching staff (Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator)....Thank you for your time...

by Gary72 on Oct 1, 2006 3:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the coaches have to know

that the boos were directed at them. At least mine were. After watching our offense put up only 17 points against Stanford, refusing to take what the defense gave us, and stubbornly sticking to the same offensive game plan no matter what, you may be right that the expectations are unrealistic. But I also have to add that the expectations were built upon that which the coaching staff themselves set forth and also taking the schedule into consideration.

by scittles on Oct 1, 2006 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs