Bruins Nation - Arizona Prep: Practice Updates, Wildcats' NotesBlog Of The Bruins, By The Bruins, For The Bruinshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48017/bruinsnation_f.png2013-11-09T08:00:07-08:00http://www.bruinsnation.com/rss/stream/48339972013-11-09T08:00:07-08:002013-11-09T08:00:07-08:00Gameday Bruin Bites: TV Schedule and Bruin LB's
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<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Early UCLA Football gameday notes and a TV schedule for today's other college football action</p> <p>Good morning Bruins Nation. Yes, we have made it through the week for another Saturday of college football, leading to the Bruins taking on Arizona later tonight. There isn't a whole lot of new football news this morning, but a couple of <span>notes to start off the day.</span></p>
<p>Chris Foster wrote up <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/ucla/la-sp-1109-ucla-arizona-20131109,0,2869824,full.story#axzz2k8g9oaro" target="_blank">the obligatory story looking at the recent UCLA failures</a> in Tuscon, while the Arizona Daily Star runs a story talking about how fired up the Wildcats are after falling on the receiving end of last year's epic beatdown at the Rose Bowl. The Bruin linebackers have <a target="_blank" href="http://azstarnet.com/sports/column/hansen/greg-hansen-mr-football-on-star-assistants-switch-flipping-and/article_10a12d8c-7927-56b9-ae15-d876684339ac.html">the full attention and respect </a>of Daily Star Columnist Greg Hansen.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Anthony Barr, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113876/eric-kendricks" class="sbn-auto-link">Eric Kendricks</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/208081/myles-jack" class="sbn-auto-link">Myles Jack</a> have combined for 162 tackles. The fourth guy, who gets lost in the bound-for-the-NFL star search, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113877/jordan-zumwalt" class="sbn-auto-link">Jordan Zumwalt</a>, has 56 tackles.</p>
<p>Nobody in college football has a linebacking group like that. Not Alabama. Not Stanford.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>He continued on by rating this year's fearsome foursome as one of the great linebacking cores in <span>the history of the Pac-10/12. </span></p>
<p>We have to wait all the way until 7pm Pacific time tonight to watch the Bruins play. At least that means that there is plenty of time to catch up on what unfolds elsewhere in the Pac-12 and throughout the country. Here are the <a target="_blank" href="http://scores.espn.go.com/college-football/scoreboard">games being shown today</a> on the major national networks (all times Pacific).</p>
<ul>
<li><span>Florida State @ Wake Forest, OR</span></li>
<li> <span>Kansas St @ Texas Tech, </span><span>9am (ABC)</span> </li>
<li><span>Auburn @ Tennessee, 9am (ESPN)</span></li>
<li><span>Penn St @ Minnesota, 9am (ESPN2)</span></li>
<li><span>Iowa @ Purdue, 9am (Big Ten Network)</span></li>
<li><span>Southern Cal @ Cal, Noon (Fox)</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Early Afternoon</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span>Nebraska @ Michigan, 12:30pm, (ABC)</span></li>
<li><span>Miss St. @ Texas A&M, 12:30pm (CBS)</span></li>
<li><span>BYU @ Wisconsin, 12:30pm (ESPN)</span></li>
<li><span>Kansas @ Oklahoma St, 1pm (Fox Sports 1)</span></li>
<li><span>ASU @ Utah, 1pm (Pac-12 Network)</span></li>
</ul>
<div><span>Evening</span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span>Texas @ West Virginia, 4pm (FOX)</span></li>
<li><span>Virginia Tech @ Miami, 4pm (ESPN)</span></li>
<li><span>Houston @ UCF, 4pm (ESPN2)</span></li>
<li><span>LSU @ Alabama, 5pm (CBS)</span></li>
<li><span>Notre Dame @ Pitt, 5pm (ABC)</span></li>
<li><span>Colorado @ Washington, 5pm (Pac-12 Network)</span></li>
</ul>
<div><span>And a pair of other nationally televised games while the Bruins are playing late tonight:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span>Fresno State @ Wyoming, 7:15pm (ESPN2)</span></li>
<li><span>San Diego State @ San Jose St, 7:30pm (CBS Sports Net)</span></li>
</ul>
<div><span>This is your open thread for today's early games and for general gameday conversation.</span></div>
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<div><br></div>
<div>GO BRUINS!</div>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_bruins_arizona_wildcats/2013/11/9/5083690/gameday-ucla-bruin-bites-college-football-tv-schedule-timesPatroclus2013-11-07T14:58:55-08:002013-11-07T14:58:55-08:00Spaulding Report: EFM, Scary Barr, & backup QB?
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<img alt="The scariest player in football, especially if you are a quarterback." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kXSqp5p4JEGTIl3LJiyRl2JcQh0=/0x0:3990x2660/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22686879/20131026_kdl_aa8_513.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>The scariest player in football, especially if you are a quarterback. | Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Coach Mora met with reporters after Thursday's practice, He provided some injury updates and player availabilities and talked about their effects on the QB and OL depth, before talking about a couple of the defensive stars in Anthony Barr and Ellis Freakin McCarthy.</p> <p>Jim Mora <a href="http://ucla.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1571785">met with the media</a> after Thursday's practice. The Bruins' typical schedule is that Thursday is the last full practice of the week. The team will do a light workout and walkthrough on Friday before traveling to Tucson.</p>
<p><a href="http://ucla.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1571785">Today's comments</a> began with injury updates. It sounds like <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/79656/jordan-james" class="sbn-auto-link">Jordan James</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162640/simon-goines" class="sbn-auto-link">Simon Goines</a> will not be playing this weekend. Mora said he hadn't decided for sure but thought they would hold those two out. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136311/steven-manfro" class="sbn-auto-link">Steven Manfro</a> is definitely out for this weekend. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162628/fabian-moreau" class="sbn-auto-link">Fabian Moreau</a> may not be at 100% but will be ready to play on Saturday. Jerry Neuheisel should be able hold for placekicks after having "a little procedure" (i.e., surgery) on the thumb on his right hand. That's his throwing hand so it will be dressed and splinted. Our friend <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/ucla/la-sp-1107-ucla-football-20131107,0,2358099.story?page=1#axzz2jzTL4ul5">Chris Foster at the LAT quoted Coach Mazzone</a> yesterday</p>
<blockquote>
<p>He's a couple weeks from being able to throw," offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone said. "He just can't put the pressure on the football.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Presumably he can catch a snap and has been practicing holds this week. Hopefully he'll get a lot of reps on PAT's Saturday.</p>
<p>The concern over Jerry's thumb led to an interesting discussion on the back up quarterback for Saturday. Jerry has been the number 2 all year, so Ed Lewis asked Mora directly, "Is Mike Fafaul your backup?" Mora was less than direct with his response.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Uhhh (shrugs)...I don't know. I mean, I <i>do</i> know. <i> I </i>do know. Yeah. <i>You</i> just don't get to know. (laughs) How about that? You'll see when you get there.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Mora followed by saying that <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162613/devin-fuller" class="sbn-auto-link">Devin Fuller</a> was not moving back to QB and admitted it would either be Fafaul, Woulard, or RSFr Jake Hall. Mora's nonanswer makes me wonder whether <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/208059/asiantii-woulard" class="sbn-auto-link">Asiantii Woulard</a> would take off his redshirt in an emergency? Let's hope that the only backup QB we see this weekend is Fafaul in mop up duty in the 4th quarter.</p>
<p>Luckily for the Bruins, the depth issues on the offensive line aren't as alarming as at QB, so the loss of Simon Goines and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136326/torian-white" class="sbn-auto-link">Torian White</a> on the has hurt, but the Bruins have been able to cover for that better. Mora discussed the effect of injuries on the OL and the development of the unit since his arrival.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>We've been playing without [James and Goines] and we've been doing fine, so the next guys step up and do well. I'm excited about where our offensive line is anyway, so that's a good deal</p>
<p>...</p>
<p>They've done well. They've gotten better every week. And I think they'll continue to get better just the more playing time. When you're talented and you work hard if you get repetitions you typically get better and that's what I see out of those guys. I think that, you know, the real positive is that...we're building tremendous depth at that position which is a position that we need to have depth at as you all know. The cupboard was pretty bare when we got here. I think Jake (Brendel) was here. X wasn't. Torian, yeah, but he hadn't played. We're building a pretty good offensive line here. I think it's gonna be fun to watch in the future.</p>
</blockquote>
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<span>Good work by @IAMKLEMM. </span>Keep that quarterback clean this weekend, line - whichever one it might be!</div>
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<p>Some of the talk wandered back to last season's meeting with Arizona which saw the debut of U.C.L.A.'s LA Nights jerseys, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38186/johnathan-franklin" class="sbn-auto-link">Johnathan Franklin</a> set the school's all-time rushing record, and the Bruins won in a blowout at the Rose Bowl. Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez watched that game film this week. Mora said all coaches look at films from previous games, especially if the coaching staff's remain intact, in order to scout the opposition and their tendencies, and that it wasn't a surprise.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>It's absolutely typical. You do it every year. That's how you prepare for your opponent.</p>
<p>You don't look at the score. You look at schemes and how they're trying to attack you or how they're trying to defend you or what things they do that give you problems.</p>
<p>You have to look at a game in continuity to decide how you did. We look at technique, maybe alterations in their scheme that they've done versus us that they don't do versus others. You're looking at it from a practical matter from a play-by-play schematic matter. You're not looking at the score.</p>
</blockquote>
<div>Following on that final score of last year's game. Mora was asked if the beatdown of the Wildcats might serve as a motivator for revenge this weekend.</div>
<blockquote>
<div>I think it can give you a little bit of added motivation early in a game, maybe in your preparation. But once the ball is kicked off and you start playing it's still about execution doing your job and protecting the football. I really think it always comes down to that. I think a lot of that as the game goes on kind of dissipates and it just turns back into football.</div>
</blockquote>
<div>If the Bruins execute the way they did last season against Arizona, we'll have a very good Saturday. The trouble has been the inconsistency in the execution, particularly on offense, lately. The Bruins need to start getting some better grades on the Eye Test as we head into the heart of our Pac-12 schedule.</div>
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<div>UC Berkeley alum <a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/">Jack Wang from InsideUCLA</a> brought up a recent article by <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/writer/bruce-feldman/24161929/top-10-scariest-players-in-college-football">Bruce Feldman of CBSSports.com</a> who called Anthony Barr the "scariest player in college football". <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUMDablgDGE&feature=youtu.be">This</a> may be a good indicator why. Mora understands.</div>
<blockquote>
<p>You love having great players on your team and players that people respect. Players aren't afraid of other players. If they were afraid of other players they wouldn't be playing. He's just a great player I think everyone respects. We're lucky to have him.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The talk turned to some great discussion on <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162647/ellis-mccarthy" class="sbn-auto-link">Ellis McCarthy</a> and his progress this season on the field and on the scale. The last part is great and it won't do justice to transcribe, so just start watching the video at 6:05.</p>
<p>Mora was pleased with how EFM has played this year and suggests that EFM is really starting to come into his own.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>He's had a good year. He's gotten better every week. He was doing some good things early. It's interesting when you play that position, he plays a little bit of nose, but he plays DE. In our scheme, it's not a position where you're gonna get a tremendous amount of statistics. The things that you do well are kind of hidden, they don't up on paper. Now he got a sack last week, but he's just been good all year. And now he seems to even have taken it to a different level, kind of asserting himself a little bit more and it's great to see. It kinda clicks for everybody at a different time. We knew that Ellis had a lot of talent. He's had to fight through some knee injuries last year and really even through fall camp. So I'm just happy to see him playing the way he is. And even last week, I wasn't sure during the week how effective he was going to be or how many snaps we were going to get out of him but he's fighting through it. It's great.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>On that point about stats, part of our DL's job is to keep the offensive line off of our linebackers so they can move and make plays, and the success by <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113876/eric-kendricks" class="sbn-auto-link">Eric Kendricks</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113877/jordan-zumwalt" class="sbn-auto-link">Jordan Zumwalt</a> in the middle this season has been a testament to that. We have also started seeing EFM show up in the offensive backfield a bit more, too, which is a great sign of his ability to not just hold his spot but to beat the OL or get into gaps. He's going to be a beast, but the Bruins will need a big game from him, along with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113882/cassius-marsh" class="sbn-auto-link">Cassius Marsh</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/208113/kenneth-clark" class="sbn-auto-link">Kenny Clark</a> and the rest of the DL this weekend if they plan on slowing down Arizona's excellent rushing attack. They did it last year. From <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/ucla/la-sp-1106-ucla-football-20131106,0,719697.story#axzz2jzTL4ul5">Foster</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>Carey has 12 consecutive 100-yard rushing games. The last team to hold him under 100 yards was UCLA in 2012. Carey had 54 yards in 16 carries in a 66-10 Bruins victory.</p>
<p>Mora didn't put too much stock in that.</p>
<p>"We got the lead early," Mora said. "They had to throw more than they wanted."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Thanks, as always, to <a href="http://ucla.rivals.com/default.asp?type=1">Ed Lewis from Bruin Sports Report</a> for the video (via <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi2RaFTzlSA#t=409">BSRTV on YouTube</a>)</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hi2RaFTzlSA" height="480" width="640"></iframe> <br id="1383848370394"></p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>GO BRUINS!!</b></p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/2013/11/7/5077532/spaulding-report-efm-scary-barr-the-backup-qb-mysterygbruin2013-11-06T21:12:04-08:002013-11-06T21:12:04-08:00Jerry N Unvailable as Backup QB for 2 Weeks
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<p>Chris Foster is reporting that <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-jerry-neuheisel-ucla-football-20131106,0,6668544.story#axzz2jvuYibkV">Jerry Neuheisel had surgery on his right thumb</a> and probably only will be available to hold for kicks:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"He'll be fine," offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone said. "He's a couple weeks from being able to throw. He just can't put the pressure on the football."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Uhm, so this means walk-on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162622/mike-fafaul">Mike Fafaul</a> is going to be back-up for next two weekends as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/208059/asiantii-woulard">Asiantii Woulard</a> is red-shirting this season. Oy.</p>
<p>GO BRUINS.</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_bruins_arizona_wildcats/2013/11/6/5075944/jerry-neuheisel-undergoes-thumb-surgery-not-available-as-a-backup-qbNestor2013-11-06T18:20:40-08:002013-11-06T18:20:40-08:00UCLA Football Notes: Thigpen For Bigger Things?
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<figcaption>Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>News and notes from the world of UCLA Football</p> <p><span>With just over 72 hours before Saturday night's kickoff in Tuscon, the Bruins continue prepping for the Wildcats and working toward the stretch run needed to secure another South division title and Pac-12 Championship Game berth. Today was Coach Mora's day off from talking with the media after practice, but other members of his staff took up the slack. </span></p>
<p>Jack Wang pinned down Noel Mazzone for a talk about the offense, with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/2013/11/06/noel-mazzone-on-damien-thigpens-expanding-role/">his resulting story</a> focusing on how Mazzone plans to utilize <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77896/damien-thigpen">Damien Thigpen</a>, making him more of a focal point in the offense now that he has been back on the field for a few weeks. (video via <a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/2013/11/06/noel-mazzone-on-damien-thigpens-expanding-role/">Jack Wang - insidesocal.com/UCLA</a>)</p>
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<p>While Mazzone talked about the O, <span>Coach Ulbrich talked to the media about his linebackers and the success of the special teams. (video via </span><a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm3-NocWw8YDQ6lfOb78ehA?feature=watch" style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">YouTube/UCLA Athletics</a><span>)</span></p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OEGRkP0_BBo" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1383781967639"></p>
<p>Coach Ulbrich has taken the bright side of some of the injuries that the team has faced, with the ability to give younger players like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/208085/isaako-savaiinaea">Isaako Savaiinaea</a> a chance to see meaningful playing time heading into the final month of the regular season. He<span> noted that Jayon Brown's being named the Pac-12's special teams player of the week was deserved, but probably would have been more so after some of his earlier games this fall. </span></p>
<p>Chris Foster <a target="_blank" href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/college/ucla/la-sp-1107-ucla-vanderdoes-20131107,0,3855084,full.story#axzz2juzAgqa8">wrote a piece this afternoon </a>on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/208089/eddie-vanderdoes">Eddie Vanderdoes</a>, looking at his development as a young athlete in Auburn along with his early success at UCLA along with that of his fellow freshmen on the Bruin D-line. Eddie was a legitimately good athlete in high school, and not just a great football prospect.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Vanderdoes was a left-handed pitcher with a 93-mph fastball. He struck out 83 batters in 43 2/3 innings during two high school seasons.</p>
<p>"The sight of this 300-pound kid on the mound was a little weird," his father said. He wasn't just a big kid.</p>
<p>As a junior, he was second on the team with five stolen bases...</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Former Daily News beat writer Jon Gold is now writing for the Arizona Daily Star, and if his twitter feed is any indication, he might be wishing that he could have stayed on in Westwood a few months longer.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Writing on UCLA linebacker corps for the Daily Star, and man, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/208081/myles-jack">Myles Jack</a>. Just...man, Myles Jack.</p>
— Jonathan Gold (@TheCoolSub) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheCoolSub/statuses/398190320917020673">November 6, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Yes Jon, we know. His opinion of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113877/jordan-zumwalt">Jordan Zumwalt</a> is pretty high as well.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/ryan5ive">@ryan5ive</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FtblSickness">@FtblSickness</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BenNatan2">@BenNatan2</a> I would take him no later 3rd round. I think he's an absolute future NFL stud.</p>
— Jonathan Gold (@TheCoolSub) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheCoolSub/statuses/398201640848609280">November 6, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p>Between those two guys, the Pac-12's leading tackler from last fall and Anthony Barr, It certainly seems that Coach Ulbrich is making strong progress toward <a href="http://www.bruinsnation.com/2013/6/19/4445812/ucla-and-linebacker-u-a-worthy-goal" target="_blank">one of his goals for the Bruin program</a><span>.</span></p>
<p>Jon has also written a thoughtful story talking about <a href="http://azstarnet.com/sports/football/professional/jon-gold-bullying-shouldn-t-be-part-of-football-or/article_2da45598-d691-5245-87bb-b395932cffbd.html" target="_blank">his own experience dealing with bullying on the football field</a>, a subject reaching the forefront of the football world in recent days after the series of incidents in the Miami Dolphins locker room. As Gold reminds us, unfortunately, the problem is far more serious and widespread than a couple of highly paid players in a pro organization.</p>
<p>On the same note from elsewhere in the Pac-12, some of you may have already heard about the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ehow.com/about_5422742_code-red-marine-corps.html">Code Red</a> that <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/HunterHewitt/status/397778704673165312">allegedly went down</a> in<a target="_blank" href="http://www.sfgate.com/collegesports/article/Fight-sends-Cal-freshman-to-hospital-4955383.php"> the Cal locker room</a> late last week. Freshman walk-on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/207293/fabiano-hale">Fabiano Hale</a> was assaulted in the Cal locker room last Friday, reportedly by two of his own teammates, in an attack that led to Hale's hospitalization. He had had slept through a meeting early that morning - later that afternoon, as <a href="https://twitter.com/HunterHewitt/status/397778704673165312" target="_blank">reported by San Francisco Chronicle beat writer Hunter Hewitt</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>..Players were told to deal with Hale on their own but "leave it in the locker room." Hale was later seen in the locker room and blindsided</p>
</blockquote>
<p><span>The university is </span><a target="_blank" href="http://california.scout.com/2/1343310.html">denying the worst aspects of the reports</a><span> shared by the Chronicle and others, but even simple allegations of something like this further questions the judgment of Cal's AD in going out of the way to hire Sonny Dykes while ignoring other candidates like Mike MacIntire, who has made Colorado into at least a respectable squad one year after going 11-2 just down the freeway from Berkeley at San Jose St. </span></p>
<p><span></span><span>While the University of California system is second to none in academic excellence, it trails pretty much everyone in hiring competent athletic leaders. </span></p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_bruins_arizona_wildcats/2013/11/6/5074788/spaulding-roundup-thigpens-increasing-role-jack-impressing-andPatroclus2013-11-05T12:22:04-08:002013-11-05T12:22:04-08:00Spaulding Roundup: Wildcat runs & Peyton on OL
<figure>
<img alt="Cassius Marsh and the defense will need to step up against RichRod's spread offense on Saturday" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XvZhel7yRnj8wMkKAKqUMcIu_nU=/2x0:3992x2660/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22538053/20131026_kdl_aa8_515.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Cassius Marsh and the defense will need to step up against RichRod's spread offense on Saturday | Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Coach Mora met with the media after practice and talked about facing Ka'Deem Carey, Scott Quessenberry's role on the line, and the offensive tempo in recent games.</p> <p>Tuesday is Jim Mora's day with the media after getting the <a href="http://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_recruiting/2013/11/5/5069482/boom-klemm-lands-recruit-ol-najee-toran">good news this morning about a new commitment</a> for the 2014 class, he spoke about preparations for Arizona and the nation's leading rusher, his team's injuries and how a freshman is filling a hole, and his feelings on the offense's tempo lately.</p>
<p>As always, thanks to Ed Lewis with <a href="http://ucla.rivals.com/default.asp">Bruin Sports Report</a> (via <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCmu2Cfw8zE">BSRTV on YouTube</a>)</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QCmu2Cfw8zE" height="480" width="640"></iframe> <br id="1383677897260"></p>
<p>Arizona features the nation's top rusher <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135340/ka-deem-carey">Ka'Deem Carey</a> and the coach's initial remarks were focused on him and what the Bruins need to do on defense to slow him down.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>He's a great one. He's an excellent football player. He was second in the country rushing last year [and this year he's number one] so that tells you kind of what you need to know right there.</p>
<p>I think he's a guy that gets better every time you watch him play. He was great last year and he's better this year.</p>
<p>You don't necessarily bottle up Ka'Deem Carey. You try to limit his explosive plays against you...It's gonna be a great test for us</p>
<p>They make you think, you look at them as a casual observer and you see the four wide sets and you think they're just gonna sling it all over the yard but really they just do a great job of spreading you out and running it. They're a great rushing offense.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Bruins have a great front seven, though I felt the D line didn't have a great game last Saturday. But this week's challenge is evident, and the linebacking corps should be bolstered by the return of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113876/eric-kendricks">Eric Kendricks</a> this Saturday. So the Bruins' defense should have the personnel to be able to stop the Wildcats' run game. Mora says the question will be one of execution.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>It plays well to our matchups if we play well and we read our keys and tackle well. But it presents some challenges because they get a great athlete in space and we have to come to balance and stay square and we have to swarm and we gotta get this guy to the ground and that's not easy to do.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>On the injury front, Mora said <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162628/fabian-moreau">Fabian Moreau</a> was at practice today and he thought he be ready to go on Saturday. That's good news because that shot he took from the Buff OL who dove into his knees looked nasty and could have been really serious. He added that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113870/jordon-james">Jordon James</a> (ankle), <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162640/simon-goines">Simon Goines</a> (knee), and Kendricks (shoulder) will all be ready to go on Saturday. There was no mention on whether <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136311/steven-manfro">Steven Manfro</a> will be available, though with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77896/damien-thigpen">Damien Thigpen</a> looking much better last week in his second game back, the Bruins should have plenty of depth ready at the running back spot. On Goines, Mora said he is not all the way back to 100% so he will be used in a reserve role for Arizona. <a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla/2013/11/05/injury-report-left-tackle-simon-goines-to-return-in-reserve-role/">Jack Wang at Inside UCLA </a>wrote that Goines was still "limping noticeably" and did not practice in pads today. Get well soon, Bruins.</p>
<p>That means true freshman offensive lineman (sorry, that's kind of redundant these days) <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/208093/scott-quessenberry">Scott Quessenberry</a> will get his 3rd consecutive start at left guard and the OL should have the same lineup we saw against Oregon and Colorado. Pass blocking looked really good last Saturday, but while the run game looked pretty good against Oregon 2 weeks ago, it struggled at times against CU. But consistency and continuity are key for the OL as a unit, so I would expect the line to be stronger this week. Part of my thinking for that has been Quessenberry's quick adaptation to the left guard spot and Mora spoke today about his transition.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Having a background at center helps. When you're a center, you're responsible for a lot of calls and a lot of adjustments. You have to identify fronts. You have to identify rotations in the back end that might indicate a blitz or something. So having that background I think helps him. It was kind of funny during the game...I go over to Brett during the game and I said, "Brett, listen, let's pick up the tempo a little bit." And he goes, "Well, if I could get my left guard Peyton Manning to quit making all these calls, we could go a little faster."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Awesome.</p>
<p>Mora went on to speak highly of Quiz's maturity, confidence and unflappability, and then spoke of his family (a brother who once a walkon who is now in the NFL and his father who played football for Navy before a 30 year military career) as assets that have enabled Scott to adapt quickly with the OL. Great kid, great family, and he's looking good for having just two games in. As Kiffy once said, you can tell in the first 15 seconds if they are your kind of guy. Right again, Lane, and thank goodness for us.</p>
<p>The media picked up on the question of whether the tempo wasn't as quick as Mora would have liked. Mora seemed to agree, then tried to wave it off.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>It's hard with three freshmen OL. We gotta identify things. You don't move as smoothly. Our tempo's been okay. We're fine. I like where we're at. What I like are good plays when the ball is snapped. I'm happy with where we are.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Okay. Okay? Okay, I've played a lot of sports in my life and I was pretty sure that, especially with football, that the word "okay" was code for "it can be better". So I see this as a bit of an admission from Mora that some of the recent problems on the offense, whether it's the new faces on the OL or Brett's relative slump or Mazzone's play calling (or a combination of them all), are holding things back and that the offense isn't what Mora was wanting to see at this point. So let's hope that the coaches share that concern and are working to get things back up to speed, both figuratively and literally.</p>
<p>Our opponents get progressively more important and tougher over these last four games and the way the Bruins finish will define this season. Next step is Arizona on Saturday.</p>
<p>GO BRUINS!</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/2013/11/5/5069642/spaulding-roundup-wildcat-rushing-and-peyton-manning-on-the-olgbruin2013-11-04T19:00:00-08:002013-11-04T19:00:00-08:00Spaulding Roundup: Hundley to Fuller All Day Long
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KfarvE8SpE0uhX-hrzIhLJkGhvw=/135x0:3864x2486/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22491571/186657352.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Stephen Dunn</figcaption>
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<p>Brett Hundley speaks to the media after practice on Monday.</p> <p>As always, thanks to Edward Lewis with the <a href="http://ucla.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1570526" target="_blank">Bruin Sports Report for the video</a>.</p>
<p><iframe width="640" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MIxlYIW0RPw" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br id="1383662381257"></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38230/brett-hundley" class="sbn-auto-link">Brett Hundley</a> met with the media today to discuss mostly <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162613/devin-fuller" class="sbn-auto-link">Devin Fuller</a> and the threat of the long ball finally opening things up for the Bruins last Saturday against Colorado. Hundley felt that it was important that the Bruins were able to stretch the ball down the field, as teams kept trying to stop UCLA by playing the safeties back about 10-12 yards and they have to stop that.</p>
<p>The man of the presser was Devin Fuller, as the beat reporters were anxious to discuss Fuller's breakout game as receiver. Hundley feels that Fuller is progressing as a receiver and you can see the strides he's made, as he is smarter in running his routes, and there is a connection between the two, and you can finally see it coming together. The long ball he had to Fuller for the touchdown, Hundley knew it was a good ball and Fuller ran a nice route = touchdown.</p>
<p>As for his young offensive line, Hundley thought they played well. He felt comfortable in the pocket and him knowing that he can go through his reads makes the job of the o-line easier. He gave a lot of credit to the o-line this week.</p>
<p>Hundley was asked about the Jay-Z "issue" and he denied it right away, saying he has not been in contact with Jay-Z, and when you have a decision to make, people start throwing rumors out there. He does admit to listening to Jay-Z before a game, and that's about it for their connection.</p>
<p>Hundley also remarked that he was scared for the Colorado QB when he started talking to Anthony Barr, because when you start talking to Barr, Barr comes for you. #barrsohard</p>
<p>As for Arizona, game prep starts today and he feels that as long as the Bruins stay on their game plan, they will be fine.</p>
<p>Congratulations this week to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/219741/jayon-brown" class="sbn-auto-link">Jayon Brown</a> as he was named <a href="http://www.uclabruins.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30500&ATCLID=209298298" target="_blank">Pac-12 Special teams player of the week </a>for his fumble recovery and forced fumble, and also to Hundley as he was named a semi-finalist for the <a href="http://www.uclabruins.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30500&ATCLID=209298428" target="_blank">Davey O'Brien award</a>.</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_bruin_football/2013/11/4/5067256/spaulding-roundup-the-hundley-fuller-connection-and-o-line-thoughts!x!