clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Bruin Bites: UCLA Football is Transitioning from Fall Camp to Texas A&M Preparation

Also, a great tweet from Anthony Barr, UCLA Basketball down under, updates on Women's Volleyball and Women's Soccer, and more in today's Bruin Bites.

By orlandobruin
Joe Piechowski

Welcome to today's iteration of Bruin Bites. For the uninitiated, Bruin Bites consist of several, short blurbs about different UCLA sports, along with links to where more information can be found. Today, we will hit upon UCLA Football, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Women's Soccer, and Women's Volleyball.

Bruin Bites, which typically is published in the morning, is a great compliment to a cup of coffee, a bagel, or Greek yogurt! Enjoy, and I hope that these bites go down smoothly.

UCLA Football

UCLA finished its second day of closed practices yesterday, in anticipation of the season opening Texas A&M game that is only ten days away. After yesterday's practice, Head Coach Jim Mora commented about how the team is transitioning away from Fall Camp activities toward Texas A&M work. Coach Mora indicated that the team practiced "working off of cards," which is something the freshman do not have experience with. Coach Mora talked about setting up and working with the scout teams (he refers to them as "service teams"). Check out the entirety of Coach Mora's comments below.

Special thanks to Bruin Sports Report and Edward Lewis for the video.

In other football news, ESPN's Kyle Bonagura has an interesting piece on how UCLA's new offense, which is not as much of a high tempo offensive the team used in the recent past, will help UCLA's defense, by keeping it off the field for longer stretches of time. Several BN contributors have pointed this out over the past few seasons, as UCLA would frequently go three and out and the gassed defense would be right back on the field with barely time to catch its breath.

Finally, Bruin-For-Life, Anthony Barr is excited about UCLA Football this season, evidenced by this tweet yesterday.

Thank you, Anthony, we never get tired of seeing that sack!

UCLA football continues practice this afternoon.

UCLA Men's Basketball

As you probably know by now, the UCLA Men's basketball team is currently in Australia for three game exhibition. Yesterday, the Bruins trounced Sydney University yesterday, 123-76. Seven different Bruins scored ten or more points, with freshman TJ Leaf leading all Bruins with 21 points.

The Bruins next head southeast on the Australian continent to Melbourne, where they face Melbourne United on Saturday, August 27th.

UCLA Women's Basketball

The UCLA Women's Basketball team has also traveled on an exhibition tour to Australia and, like the Men's team, cruised to an easy victory in its first contest. On Sunday, UCLA beat the Southern Districts Lady Spartans, 83-48. Yesterday, UCLA bombed the Cairns Dolphins, 101-58. Seven Bruins scored more than ten points, including junior Kelli Hayes, who poured in 17 points.

UCLA next faces the Sydney Uni Flames this Friday, August 26th.

Women's Soccer

Coming off a drubbing of San Diego State, 5-0, at SDSU, in their first regular season match of the 2016 season, the UCLA Women's Soccer team played an exhibition game yesterday against Beijing Normal University at Drake Stadium. The Bruins crushed Beijing, 7-0.  Check out the video below for highlights of the game.

Two UCLA players were recognized after the SDSU game. On the strength of her hat trick against SDSU, the first hat trick for UCLA women's soccer since Bruin legend Sydney Leroux did in in 2011, senior forward Darian Jenkins was voted PAC 12 Player of the Week. Due to her clean sheet in the same game, UCLA freshman goalkeeper Teagan Micah garnered Goalie of the Week honors. Congratulations to Darian, Teagan, and the UCLA squad on a dominating start of the season.

UCLA takes the pitch again this Friday at 5:30 p.m. PT against Texas A&M in College Station, followed by a quick turnaround against the Florida Gators in Westwood on Sunday at 3 p.m. PT.

UCLA Women's Volleyball

It is just two days until the #12 ranked UCLA Women's Volleyball team takes to the court to kick off its season, beginning with a slate of three games in less than 30 hours at the Loyola Marymount Invitational.

The Bruins first play Niagara on Friday, August 26th at 4 p.m. PT. As it the case with all matches at the LMU Invitation, the match will not be televised, but fans can follow along via live video or live stats.

It will be an early wake up call for the Bruins on Saturday, with a 9:30 a.m. PT match against Illinois State. You can follow along via live video and live stats.

UCLA plays the second half of the Saturday doubleheader against hosts, #21 ranked LMU, at 7 p.m. PT. Although UCLA should cruise in its first two games, the LMU match will be an interesting challenge. Tune in via live video or follow along with live stats.

Those are your Bruin Bites for today. I hope that you enjoyed this update on the goings on of all things UCLA Athletics. Also, if I missed something, please let me know in the comments below, or share your general thoughts about anything written in this article.

Go Bruins!!!

More From Bruins Nation