Bruins Nation - UCLA Football Virginia Prep: Practice Updates, Cavaliers' NotesBlog Of The Bruins, By The Bruins, For The Bruinshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48017/bruinsnation_f.png2015-09-04T14:19:52-07:00http://www.bruinsnation.com/rss/stream/90164442015-09-04T14:19:52-07:002015-09-04T14:19:52-07:00Bruins Nation Game Threads To Feature Live Audio!
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<img alt="You will be able to listen to Bill Roth, the new "Voice of the Bruins" right here on Bruins Nation!" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/w4ncA5vMcs7YBVc5IZBAmj-PmQs=/65x0:570x337/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47097038/CDNFN1IW4AMSdcJ.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>You will be able to listen to Bill Roth, the new "Voice of the Bruins" right here on Bruins Nation!</figcaption>
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<p>Bruins Nation will be embedding live audio of UCLA Football this season into our game threads, courtesy of TuneIn.</p> <p>We all know that Bill Roth will take the air for the first time tomorrow as the new "Voice of the Bruins." But did you know that you now have a new place to turn to in order to hear Bill call the games?</p>
<p>That's right, Bruin fans!</p>
<p>Through the miracle of technology, Bruins Nation's game threads will now feature live audio of your favorite team's games. So, now, there's no need to listen to the terrible TV announcers (excluding Gus Johnson)!</p>
<p>You can turn on the game and your computer, fire up the Bruins Nation game thread and listen to Bill Roth's fine announcing all while posting away in the comments section of the game thread.</p>
<p>It's just another reason to visit Bruins Nation on game day. As if you needed another one.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Go Bruins!!!</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/2015/9/4/9263555/bruins-nation-game-threads-to-feature-live-audioJoe Piechowski2015-09-04T13:00:02-07:002015-09-04T13:00:02-07:00Coach Jim Mora Doesn't Put His Players On Leashes
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<img alt="UCLA Coach Jim Mora and UVa Coach Mike London will face off again tomorrow." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kNaVT6RF8ePAurt2-pHlviK3EoI=/0x207:1726x1358/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47094398/usa-today-8056456.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>UCLA Coach Jim Mora and UVa Coach Mike London will face off again tomorrow. | Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>While it may be true that Coach Mora doesn't put his players on leashes, he might want to tell that to Offensive Coordinator Noel Mazzone.</p> <p>UCLA opens its season tomorrow at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/rose-bowl">Rose Bowl</a> versus Virginia and, like clockwork, Jim Mora is getting a little bit cranky with the media. Speaking after practice yesterday, Coach Mora was asked what kind of leash he was going to put on freshman quarterback Josh Rosen.</p>
<p>Mora was visibly agitated by OC Register beat writer Joey Kaufman's question. He responded by saying:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>What do you mean by leash? We don't put leashes on our players. They're not dogs. They're people. I want him to friggin' win. I want him to play his ass off and win.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Coach Mora might want to consider sending out a memo to Noel Mazzone about that because <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-football-20150904-story.html" target="_blank">Mazzone is quoted talking about the offense line in an article by Chris Foster from the LA Times</a>. Mazzone said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>[The offensive lines is] a veteran group and Adrian has done such a good job during the week that we will pretty much take the leashes off and let our guys play.</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>When another reporter tried to rephrase Kaufman's question, Mora responded by saying, "I just answered that question." He then scolded the reporter saying, "Well, you didn't [rephrase the question]."</p>
<p>Earlier in the interview, Coach Mora spoke about how he's excited about the first game and how it helps the team keep it's routine without having to get on an airplane.</p>
<p>Mora was also asked about Coach Bradley's impact. He said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I think that will be reflected in how we play on Saturdays, more than anything. But, without seeing us on the field playing as a unit, I think a sense of confidence.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Thanks to <a target="_blank" href="http://www.insidesocal.com/ucla">Jack Wang from InsideSoCal</a> for the video of Coach Mora.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D3l0Z2-uZOA" height="720" width="1280"></iframe></p>
<p>Foster's article looks at the challenges the offensive line will face with Coach Adrian Klemm suspended for the game and writes that Mazzone indicated that in-game decisions will be a group decision and Mazzone joked that he "may help with an adjustment here and there."</p>
<p>Coach Mora seems to have a good understanding of what Jon Tenuta's defense will do. Mora said, "<span>Our assumption is they will bring massive amounts of heat at a true freshman quarterback starting his first game."</span></p>
<p>Foster has <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/uclanow/la-sp-ucla-josh-rosen-jim-mora-brett-hundley-20150904-story.html" target="_blank">another article comparing Rosen's first start to Hundley's first start</a>. He writes that the big difference between the two is Mora's own mindset because he didn't know how the team would react to things since it was also his first game as the Bruins' head coach. Mora notes that he knows how the team will react to game situations this time around.</p>
<p>One of the reasons he can have confidence in that is the confidence the team has in its new quarterback. <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/ucla-681002-rosen-season.html" target="_blank">Joey Kaufman of the OC Register wrote about that confidence</a>. He quotes <span>Deon Hollins</span>, <span>Jake Brendel</span> and Paul Perkins. Each of whom offer different reasons why they are confident in Rosen.</p>
<p>Hollins talks about his football intelligence:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>The great thing about Josh is just how smart he is already. A lot of times, with freshmen, they get on the field, their mind is wandering. Big lights, big crowd, college football. He’s just so focused all the time. I feel like that’s really what separates him from other freshmen.</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>Meanwhile, Jake spoke of Rosen's athleticism:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>He’s a tremendous athlete, and he does amazing things. I mean, he’s a good quarterback.</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>And, Perkins discussed his knowledge of the offense:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>He definitely has a good grasp of the concepts offensively.</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>In a separate article, Kaufman <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/rios-680665-adams-moreau.html" target="_blank">looks at the state of the defensive backfield</a>. He writes about how <span>Marcus Rios</span> has slid in as a starting cornerback, replacing <span>Ishmael Adams</span> even before Adams' arrest earlier this week. The main reason, according to Kaufman, is Rios' size. He also spends some time discussing Rios' remarkable comeback from being in the hospital with a potentially deadly disease to getting back out on the football field.</p>
<p>Kaufman also has published three projected depth charts. We all know that Coach Mora chooses not to do that, but Kaufman has put these together based off practice observations. He has one for <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/ucla/receiver-680529-wide-tackle.html" target="_blank">offense</a>, one for <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/ucla/linebacker-680624-cornerback-depth.html" target="_blank">defense</a>, and one for <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/ucla/chart-680605-depth-projected.html" target="_blank">special teams</a>.</p>
<p>And, last but not least, BruinReportOnline has video of both <a href="http://www.scout.com/college/ucla/story/1581875-video-noel-mazzone-on-virginia-s-pressure" target="_blank">Offensive Coordinator Noel Mazzone</a> and <a href="http://www.scout.com/college/ucla/story/1581872-video-tom-bradley-on-preparing-for-virginia" target="_blank">Defensive Coordinator Tom Bradley</a>. Thanks to <a href="http://www.BruinReportOnline.com" target="_blank">David Woods from BruinReportOnline for sharing these</a>.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.scout.com/embed/video/1581875" height="400" width="600"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<p><iframe width="600" height="400" src="http://www.scout.com/embed/video/1581872" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>As long as Tom Bradley can find his way to the Rose Bowl on Saturday, I expect the defense to give Virginia a very tough time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Go Bruins!!!</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla-bruins-virginia-cavaliers/2015/9/4/9255503/spaulding-reportJoe Piechowski2015-09-04T12:29:07-07:002015-09-04T12:29:07-07:00Pregame Guesses: UCLA v. Virginia
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<img alt="UCLA's Paul Perkins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/73Mzxhgar9XFVpS7rkJABhMZiwA=/0x229:2581x1950/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47093932/usa-today-8086468.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>UCLA's Paul Perkins | Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>As we eagerly await tomorrow's kickoff to the season, let's see if we can pick 'em correctly in BN's first 2015 Pregame Guesses.</p> <p>In keeping with Achilles' BN tradition, I am going to continue with a musical theme for Pregame Guesses this week. This week's musical selection is "London Calling" by The Clash, inspired in part by Virgina Head Coach Mike London. I know, cheesy play on words.</p>
<p>I originally missed The Clash by a few years. The first song by The Clash that I heard was "Rock the Casbah" in 1982 when I was 13 on The Mighty 690 and MTV. Most fans would say that the band had "jumped the shark" by that time. Their best stuff was in the late 70s, when I was in elementary school. After "Rock the Casbah," The Clash began to fall apart, releasing one last album, which was almost universally panned, and ultimately breaking apart in the mid-80s.</p>
<p>I wasn't until almost a decade later, during that early 90s "second wave" of punk, with the emergence of Green Day, Pennywise, Bad Religion (who had been around for many years prior, but gained more popularity in the early 90s), and others, that I went back to listen more closely to those bands' influences. In doing so, I bought The Clash's iconic nineteen song, double album, "London Calling," released in late 1979. Quite frankly, the album is masterpiece, and draws from many, many different music genres (reggae, R&B, rockabilly, punk, ska, pop, hard rock). It remains, in today's age of iPod shuffle, one of my favorite albums to listen to from start to finish. Check out the iconic lead single, "London Calling':</p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EfK-WX2pa8c" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe></p>
<p>The song, and the album, both have relevance today. Some of the social issues facing England at the time were unemployment, racial conflict, drug use, and consumerism. Further, "London Calling" was inspired in part by the Three Mile Island accident in the U.S.</p>
<p>So let's see, environmental disasters? Check (the EPA's spill of heavy metal laden wastewater into the Animas River). Unemployment? Getting better but still, check. Racial conflict? At an all time high in my lifetime. Check. Drug use? Setting aside the use of illegal drugs, the abuse of prescription drugs is at an all time high. Check. Consumerism? Black Friday, Force Friday (which is today and of which I am guilty of participation). Check. This album is as relevant today as it was 36 years ago when it was released.</p>
<p>Go ahead, do yourself a favor, and get this on iTunes. You won't be disappointed.</p>
<p>So how does this relate to UCLA v. Virginia football? Well, aside from the name "London Calling" and Virginia Head Coach Mike London, I am not sure. How about, if UVa has a tough season (and I expect and hope that the Bruins make it extremely tough with a convincing win tomorrow), they will be CALLING for LONDON'S head? Ooooohhh, I know, that pun is as bad as the <a href="http://www.ew.com/sites/default/files/styles/tout_image_gallery_612/public/i/2014/09/26/JUMP-TO-CONCLUSIONS-MAT.jpg?itok=zg2v5lq4">jump to conclusions mat from "Office Space."</a></p>
<p>Let's move on and talk about some football pregame guesses . . .</p>
<p>For me, the most interesting thing to watch tomorrow is the defensive scheme that Coach Tom Bradley brings to the table. The first pregame guess will have to address the performance of the Bruin defense, specifically the pressure of the front seven. I can't wait to see how teams try to handle Eddie Vanderdoes and Kenny Clark (double, double teams anyone?). UVa's line will have its work cut out for them.</p>
<p>So, for <b>PREGAME GUESS #1</b>: What will be higher, the number of UCLA's combined sacks and tackles for loss, or the number of touchdowns scored by the Bruins?</p>
<p>A very, very close second for me tomorrow is the debut of Josh Rosen. Will the coaches let him throw the ball, or will he hand if off to Paul Perkins and company, acting as a game manager in his first start? It won't get any easier from here on out, so I think they should approach this game with a BALANCED attack. I may be totally wrong, and we may lean on the backs, with Rosen throwing the ball 20-25 times or less.</p>
<p>So, for<b> PREGAME GUESS #2</b>: Which yardage total will be higher, Josh Rosen's passing yards or the combined rushing yards of Paul Perkins and Nate Starks?</p>
<p>Finally, I expect that there will be some freshman, other than Josh Rosen, who will get some playing time tomorrow. redshirt freshman WR, Jordan Lasley, should play. So should true freshman, RB, Soso Jamabo. Maybe true freshman TE, Chris Clark.</p>
<p>So, for <b>PREGAME GUESS #3</b>: True or false: A UCLA freshman playing in his first game will score a touchdown tomorrow (note: it could be any of the three I mentioned above, or any freshman playing in his first game scoring a TD on offense, defense, or special teams).</p>
<p>I hope you enjoyed the first edition of 2015 Pregame Guesses. List your answers in the thread below.</p>
<p>Go Bruins!!</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_bruin_football/2015/9/4/9262213/pregame-guesses-ucla-v-virginiaorlandobruin2015-09-03T12:00:03-07:002015-09-03T12:00:03-07:00Virginia Preview: Defense
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UY_aRbTNZMhBjgZt8xtlQ6fdR9E=/0x141:1738x1300/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47083880/usa-today-8175233.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A look at the defense of the Virginia Cavaliers before the UCLA Bruins take them on at the Rose Bowl on Saturday afternoon.</p> <p>Last season the UCLA Bruins entered their first game against the Virginia Cavaliers as a top 10 team. Led by Brett Hundley, the expectation was for the offense to handle the Cavaliers fairly easily despite the fact that center Jake Brendel was going to miss the contest.</p>
<p>That was not what occurred. What happened was <a href="http://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla-bruins-virginia-cavaliers-2014/2014/9/1/6092267/the-eye-test-ucla-defense-21-virginia-20-ucla-offense-7" target="_blank">an offensive disaster</a>.</p>
<p>The Cavaliers had a good defense last season, ranking in the 30th-50th range in most categories of importance on defense.</p>
<p>Let's take a closer look at the position groups that UCLA will be attacking on Saturday.</p>
<p><b>Defensive Line</b></p>
<p>As Streaking The Lawn <a href="http://www.streakingthelawn.com/2015/8/28/9215503/better-or-worse-defense" target="_blank">states here</a>, losing an NFL defensive end in Eli Harold is tough, but the Cavaliers do have a healthy 5* replacement on the line in sophomore defensive tackle Andrew Brown. Brown was plagued by injuries as a freshman and was unable to make much of an impact. I would not be surprise to see him take a huge leap in his 2nd year. That will be a tough matchup for Brendel, Alex Redmond and Kenny Lacy inside.</p>
<p>At defensive end, the actual replacements of Harold's production as an edge rusher are going to be Kwontie Moore and Mike Moore, as well as senior Trent Corney. The two Moore's (unrelated) combined for 5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss.</p>
<p>Senior David Dean and junior Donte Wilkins both return at defensive tackle as well. Cavaliers should not miss much of a step up front.</p>
<p>Dean contributed 8 TFLs in 2014 and Wilkins was solid depth, starting 5 games in replacement for Brown during his injuries.</p>
<p><b>Linebackers</b></p>
<p>Virginia lost all 3 of their primary starters at linebacker from 2014, so previewing this group is tough because they are unknown.</p>
<p>The likely starter at the Mike is sophomore Micah Kiser, who played sparingly in 2014 as a true freshman. He'll be replacing a 2nd team All-ACC LB. Streaking The Lawn praises the impressive lateral quickness of Kiser but they're concern is the lack of instincts. It will be interesting to see how he works against an offense like UCLA's, which works laterally quite a bit.</p>
<p>Junior Mark Hall will have a tough task as well, replacing UVA's leader in sacks in 2014 at the Sam position. Hall has been a special teams player in his time at UVA, seems like a similar player to someone like Ryan Hofmeister was at UCLA. Not going to be the pass rushing threat that Max Valles was for the Cavs, but should be a competent backer for their defense.</p>
<p>The Will backer is projected to be a split role between junior Zach Bradshaw and true freshman CJ Stalker. Not much info on either, but the Cavaliers should be able to wrangle enough production to have a top 50 defense this year no matter how much talent they lost in the middle.</p>
<p><b>Defensive Backs</b></p>
<p>The secondary starts with the most high profile player on the Cavaliers defense in sophomore free safety Quin Blanding.</p>
<p>Blanding emerged instantly as one of the best safeties in the country as a true freshman in 2014, registering 123 tackles and 3 interceptions. He starts 2015 on basically every watch list for a defensive player. It would not be shocking for him to welcome Josh Rosen to college football with an interception in this game.</p>
<p>Junior Kelvin Rainey is the likely replacement for Anthony Brown at strong safety (UVA's 2nd leading tackler in 2014, whom graduated to the NFL). Streaking The Lawn notes that Rainey got enough praise in the spring to allow one of his competitors at the spot to move back to starting at a corner spot.</p>
<p>There is a lot of depth at corner for the Cavs. Four quality players in senior Maurice Canady, junior Tim Harris, junior Divante Walker and senior Demetrious Nicholson.</p>
<p>Harris and Canady are both big corners at 6'2", while Nicholson is a more athletic corner than either. Expect to see a lot of Nicholson in the slot, as he is the best man coverage option on the roster.</p>
<p>Overall, this is a talented group but not the same level as the Cavaliers' defense from last season. This is a great opening test for Josh Rosen against a solid defense that will bring unique looks all game.</p>
<p>Another angle to keep an eye on is how the Bruin offense line responds to unscouted pressure looks without Coach Adrian Klemm on the sideline (as Klemm is serving a suspension). That was a weakness last season and will need to improve with a true freshman taking the snaps in the passing game.</p>
<p>In the running game, I expect a big day out of Paul Perkins and all of UCLA's running backs with an inexperienced linebacking core for UVA trying to make plays.</p>
<p>Until Saturday, Go Bruins!</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla-bruins-virginia-cavaliers/2015/9/3/9254229/ucla-football-virginia-cavaliers-preview-defenseIE Angel2015-09-03T07:51:02-07:002015-09-03T07:51:02-07:00UCLA Football Game Week Preview: Virginia Offense
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<img alt="Virginia's starting quarterback, Matt Johns" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7tlb00jyM1Uc2Pa0mEqflWHO7Aw=/0x37:1525x1054/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47076216/usa-today-8065586.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Virginia's starting quarterback, Matt Johns | Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>With a new starting quarterback and new starting running back, Virginia's offense will try to establish a more of a power running game in their pro-style offense.</p> <p>The UCLA Bruin football team opens the 2015 season this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. PT at the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/rose-bowl">Rose Bowl</a>. The Bruins will complete the home and away series against the University of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/">Virginia Cavaliers</a>, out of the Atlantic Coast Conference's Coastal Division.</p>
<p>Last season, the Cavaliers <a href="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=400547820">lost to the Bruins in Charlottesville, 28-20</a>, as the Bruin defense scored the majority of UCLA's points and quashed a potentially game-tying drive at the UCLA 17 yard line with a little more than three minutes left in the game. Virginia ended up with a 5-7 record, and Head Coach Mike London has pointed to the UCLA game as one game that they could have won, which would have made the Cavaliers bowl eligible.</p>
<p>The Bruins were heavy favorites last season, as they will be on Saturday. What can the Bruin defense expect offensively from the Virginia? Let's dive in and see . . .</p>
<h3>Overview and System</h3>
<p>Last season, Virginia's offense <a href="http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/21/p2">ranked 87th of of 125 teams</a>, averaging 374.2 yards per game, 5.08 yards per play, running 74 plays per game. UCLA's offense, by comparison, <a href="http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/21/p1">ranked 22nd</a>, averaging 467.8 yards per game, 6.13 yards per play, and ran 76 plays per game. The Cavaliers scored 31 touchdowns on offense (compared to 50 for UCLA).</p>
<p>Third year Offensive Coordinator, Steve Fairchild, has run a pro-style offense in his first two season at Virginia. In 2014, UVA had a balanced attack, with with 432 passing attempts over the season and 451 rushing attempts. After Spring practice, the UVA coaching staff has gone on record stating that the Cavaliers will try to establish more of a power running offense in 2015.</p>
<h3>Quarterback</h3>
<p>Last season, Grayson Lambert started the game against UCLA, but was largely ineffective, throwing two interceptions returned for touchdowns by UCLA, allowing the Bruins to gain a 21-3 advantage. Lambert was relieved shortly before halftime by sophomore <span>Matt Johns</span>, who threw for two touchdowns against the Bruins.</p>
<p>Johns, now a junior, won the starting job in the Spring over Lambert (which led to Lambert's transfer to Georgia upon graduation in May) and will lead the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahoos">Wahoos</a>' offense this Saturday against UCLA. In case you forgot, here is a video from YouTube of Johns' highlights against the Bruins last season, including his two touchdowns:</p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2J5MmgeyM6s" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>BRIEF DIGRESSION: I hope that we DO NOT see much of the weak, soft zone we see in the first pass in the video, which occurred in the fourth quarter as UVa was driving for the potential tying score. Stop the video at the five second mark. We rush three (against seven blockers, including the running back), all of three of Virginia's wide receivers were on the wide side of the field, and <span>Deon Hollins</span> and <span>Eric Kendricks</span> were covering nobody! On 3rd and 8. Terrible scheme. Please, Coach Bradley, no more. END OF DIGRESSION.</p>
<p>As they did in the opener last season against UCLA, Johns and Lambert split time under center last season, with Lambert getting the majority of playing time. Johns had 162 passing attempts to Lambert's 261. Still, Johns will have experience under center (unlike UCLA) on Saturday. Johns passed for 1,109 yards last year, on 89 of 162 attempts (a 54.9 completion rate), throwing for eight touchdowns and five interceptions.</p>
<p>A (three star) pro-style quarterback out of high school, Johns fits Fairchild's system well. At 6'5" and 210 lbs., Johns can see the field, and is surprisingly mobile for his size. Johns can also roll out to throw and can effectively run the read option.</p>
<p>It is reasonable to expect that Johns, as a junior in his third year in Fairchild's system, will continue to develop in 2015, so his somewhat pedestrian completion rate should improve, as should his touchdown to interception ratio. The UVa coaching staff obviously believes he will succeed, giving him the nod in Spring over Lambert, who will now start for the top-ten ranked <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsports.com/">Georgia Bulldogs</a>.</p>
<p>Johns' backup is likely redshirt freshman <span>Corwin Cutler</span> (6'4"; 200 lbs.). Before Grayson Lambert's transfer, Cutler had announced that he was leaving UVa to go the community college route. After Lambert transferred, Cutler decided to stay.</p>
<h3>Running Backs</h3>
<p><span>Kevin Parks</span>, UVa's leading rusher the past three seasons (gaining over 3,000 yards and scoring 29 rushing touchdowns in his college career) has graduated, and his primary backup, Khalik Shepherd (348 yards, 2 TDS), has also graduated. Junior <span>Taquan Mizzell</span> is next up, but sophomore <span>Daniel Hamm</span> and possibly graduate transfer, <span>Albert Reid</span>, are in the mix. At least for the UCLA game, the Wahoos figure to start Mizzell and get Hamm some carries as well.</p>
<p><span>Taquan Mizzell</span> (5'10"; 195 lbs.), nicknamed "Smoke," would appear to have the most upside and will likely get the start against the Bruins, based on Head Coach Mike London's recent comments to the media. Mizzell was highly recruited out of high school, has very good speed and quickness, and is elusive. He can make defenders miss. The apparent issue with Mizzell is that he needs to become more of a downhill runner, and has had a bit of trouble adjusting his style to do so. Mizzell is also an above-average pass catcher out of the backfield. He reminds me of former UCLA running back, <span>Jordan James</span>, who was also shifty, but had issues adjusting to become a downhill runner.</p>
<p><span>Daniel Hamm</span> (5'10"; 200 lbs.) came to UVa to run track, and was originally a walk on to the football team. Hamm may be faster than Mizzell, but is less elusive and has less experience, with only 40 carries over his college career. It stands to reason that he will be backing up Mizzell.</p>
<p>Perhaps a better fit for UVa's wish to adjust to more of a power running game is Albert Reid (5'9"; 210 lbs.). Although he is slightly shorter than Mizzell and Hamm, Reid has a more powerful body. Reid, however, did not have stellar numbers while at Maryland last season, carrying the ball only 16 times for 61 yards. London has made recent comments that Reid will have opportunities in the return game, which begs the question whether he will have opportunities in the running game.</p>
<p>None of these backs appear to be the type of "between-the-tackles" back upon which the UVa coaching staff could build a power running attack. It remains to be seen whether the Cavaliers will be able to achieve this stated goal. I think, based solely on experience, that Mizzell will get the start versus UCLA, but Hamm will see action as well.</p>
<h3>Offensive Line</h3>
<p>The power running game, of course, is based largely on the proficiency of the offensive line. Virginia returns several offensive lineman who have started games in the past, although those players were better at pass protection than "road grading" for the running game last season. <span>Conner Davis</span>, who started every game last season at right guard, is the only casualty from the line. Based solely on experience, this group might be the strength of the Virginia offense.</p>
<p>Junior Jackson Matteo figures to start at center. Matteo appeared in the first five games last season at left tackle and center before breaking his foot against Kent State, missing the final seven games.</p>
<p>Senior Ross Burbank is the most celebrated of UVa's lineman. Burbank, one of Virginia's team captains and a pre-season third team All-ACC player according to Phil Steele, played mostly center last season (starting in 11 games) but is now listed at guard on the Cavaliers' depth chart. He should slot in a the right guard position. Junior Ryall Doull should get the call at left guard. Doull started at left guard for six games last season, and then missed five of the final six games due to injury.</p>
<p>Redshirt freshman <span>Jake Fieler</span> was listed at starting right tackle coming out of Spring practice and is still atop the depth chart. If he starts, he would be the only neophyte among the expected starters on the offensive line. Junior Eric Smith could also get the start at right tackle. Smith started all 12 games last season and is not injured, so it appears that he was simply beaten out at the right tackle spot by Fieler. ESPN has an article about this <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/84314/virginias-top-position-battle">positional battle</a>. Even if he doesn't start, Smith will provide depth at the position. Junior Michael Mooney should start at left tackle and will be protecting <span>Matt Johns</span>' blind side. Last season against UCLA, Mooney did not allow a sack at the left tackle position in his first career start. Mooney went on to play in 11 games last season, starting nine.</p>
<p>The anticipated starting five offensive lineman on the depth chart going into the season are the same anticipated starting five offensive lineman on the depth chart at the end of Spring practice. One would expect that this group has built some cohesion throughout the Fall camp, which is good news for Wahoo fans.</p>
<h3>Wide Receivers</h3>
<p>Virginia's wide receivers are big (all of the anticipated major contributors are over 6 feet, 200 lbs.) but, outside of <span>Canaan Severin</span>, they are inexperienced. Graduate transfer, <span>T.J. Thorpe</span>, was expected to be a significant contributor, but will miss at least the first month of the season with a broken clavicle and will not see action in Pasadena.</p>
<p>UVa's top receiver in 2014, Canaan Severin (6'2"; 205 lbs.), returns for his senior year. Last season, Severin hauled in 42 balls for 578 yards and 5 touchdowns. Check out the video below from YouTube to see Severin's big play capability:</p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7OT1ZjiQRuI" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>Severin should be Johns' top target at the Rose Bowl and throughout the season. True sophomore <span>Andre Levrone</span> (6'3"; 215 lbs.) caught 15 passes for 248 yards and 2 touchdowns, and is UVa's second leading returning receiver based on yardage. Levrone, then a true freshman playing in his first game, is the one who caught the 29 yard touchdown pass over <span>Fabian Moreau</span> last season in the last minute of the first half.</p>
<p>Junior Keeon Johnson (6'3"; 215 lbs.) and sophomore <span>Doni Dowling</span> (6'1"; 215 lbs.) also return, and had similar seasons statistically in 2014, with Johnson grabbing 13 balls for 138 yards, and no touchdowns, and Dowling with 17 catches for 141 yards and no touchdowns, respectively. Junior Kyle Dockins (6'3"; 220 lbs.) and redshirt freshman Umar Muhammed-Wyatt (6'1"; 205 lbs.) are also expected to contribute.</p>
<p>Did I mention that this group is big? Frankly, I think that UCLA's starting secondary, along with <span>Myles Jack</span> in coverage, matches up with the Virginia receiving corps very well.</p>
<h3>Tight Ends</h3>
<p>The Wahoos do not rely much on their tight end to catch passes. Senior Rob Burns (6'7"; 260) is a prototypical blocking tight end and only caught two balls for 11 yards last season. UVA will rely on Burns to help establish its power running game. Redshirt freshman <span>Evan Butts</span> (6'4"; 240 lbs.) is expected to be Burns' backup. <span>Charlie Hopkins</span> (6'6"; 255 lbs.), a graduate transfer from Stanford (the Cavaliers have A LOT of graduate transfers), may also see some playing time.</p>
<h3>Matchup: Virginia's Offense v. UCLA's Defense<br>
</h3>
<p>In Coach Tom Bradley we trust. With UCLA's returning talent and depth in the front seven, the Bruins should be able to derail UVa's plans to establish a power running game. I expect big things from Kenny Clark and <span>Eddie Vanderdoes</span> in this game, with each of them perhaps drawing double teams, freeing up the linebackers to make plays.</p>
<p>In defending Virginia's passing attack, <span>Marcus Rios</span> and Fabian Moreau, both of whom are 6'0", should match up well against the Wahoo receivers. <span>Tahaan Goodman</span> is 6'2", and <span>Randall Goforth</span> and <span>Jaleel Wadood</span> are both 5'10". This might be the game where we miss <span>Ishmael Adams</span> (5'8") the least.</p>
<p>In my opinion, there are just too many new pieces for the Cavaliers to establish the type of running game against UCLA in order for them to effectively pass the ball. I am expecting big things from Coach Bradley and UCLA's defense this season, and anticipate that Saturday will be the start of what hopes to be a series of solid defensive performances by the Bruins.</p>
<p>That's a wrap for BN's preview of the University of Virginia's offense. There are only three more days before we can all see if the game matches up with what we see "on paper."</p>
<p>Go Bruins!!!</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_bruin_football/2015/9/3/9243995/ucla-football-virginia-cavaliers-preview-offenseorlandobruin2015-09-02T13:39:33-07:002015-09-02T13:39:33-07:00UVa Coach Mike London Preps for UCLA's Rosen
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<figcaption>Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Cavaliers' coach spoke with Fox Sports about preparing his team for facing the Bruins new QB.</p> <p>Fox Sports spoke with Mike London on how he is preparing his team to face UCLA and freshman QB Josh Rosen for Saturday's game at the Rose Bowl.</p>
<p>London basically says that you prepare for the system, not the player. Specifically, he mentions that Offensive Coordinator Noel Mazzone is still at UCLA.</p>
<p>It's almost as if London is saying that he knows that Mazzone really only calls a handful of plays every game. We know that because Mazzone has said so publicly in the past. Hmmmm.....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Go Bruins!!!</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla-bruins-virginia-cavaliers/2015/9/2/9251079/uva-coach-mike-london-talks-about-preparing-for-ucla-qb-josh-rosenJoe Piechowski2015-09-02T10:00:02-07:002015-09-02T10:00:02-07:00UCLA Feels Better Prepared For The Unexpected
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<figcaption>Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Maybe it's Tom Bradley's influence, maybe it's just another year of experience. It's very likely those and other things that have the Bruins feeling better prepared as the season starts.</p> <p>Throughout the course of training camp, UCLA Coach Jim Mora spoke about making his team uncomfortable. The weather and change of scenery were the most obvious signs of that during training camp, but it was more than just that.</p>
<p>It was about preparing the team to expect the unexpected. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/ucla/la-sp-ucla-football-20150902-story.html">Chris Foster of the LA Times discusses this in depth</a>.</p>
<p>Foster writes about the Bruins has a tough time dealing with the unexpected last year and he points to Virginia and Utah who both brought quarterbacks off the bench who gave the team fits. Both Matt Johns and Kendall Thompson did things that the team wasn't ready for.</p>
<p>Foster quotes Deon Hollins as calling it "the unscouted." He also quotes Defensive Coordinator Tom Bradley:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>A lot of times it's what you haven't shown on film. That's the part you try to figure out without wasting too much time on the unseen. But you do have to throw them a couple curves.</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>And, again, Bradley's experience shows itself.</p>
<p>Sticking to the theme of being different, Jack Wang writes on the Daily News website about <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailynews.com/sports/20150901/virginia-will-give-ucla-offensive-line-its-first-measuring-stick">how the offensive line is looking to start the season differently from last season</a>. He starts his article observing how the offensive line gave up a lot of sacks in the Virginia game and the entire season last year. He writes that "<span>The offensive line swears this won’t happen again."</span></p>
<p>Wang also quotes both Caleb Benenoch and Jake Brendel. Both players seem to be on a mission. Benenoch said, "<span>It’s a complete 180 turn," compared to last season. Meanwhile, Brendel who missed the Virginia game last season said, "</span><span>I kind of owe them one, I guess."</span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.ocregister.com/articles/adams-680498-mora-season.html" target="_blank">Preparation is a theme in Joey Kaufman's OC Register article</a> today, too. While most of his article focuses on Ishmael Adams, he also looks at Eddie Vanderdoes who says he feels more prepared for this season than last year.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>I feel a lot more prepared this year. Last year, I was injured so it was a little bit of hitting the ground running. This year, with technique, I got all the kinks out in the spring. I really got to build for fall camp and just keep sharpening the iron for Saturday.</span></p>
</blockquote>
<p>After practice yesterday, Benenoch, Vanderdoes and Kenny Clark spoke to the media and <a href="https://twitter.com/Edward__Lewis" target="_blank">Ed Lewis</a> of the <a href="http://www.bruinsportsreport.com" target="_blank">Bruins Sports Report</a> has the videos of each. As always, thanks to Ed for sharing!</p>
<p>First up, we have Caleb.</p>
<p><iframe width="960" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eZZ14CmhDlk" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Listen to what else Eddie Vanderdoes had to say.</p>
<p><iframe width="960" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RfB7Aoy8wcU" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<p>And, last but not least, there's Kenny Clark.</p>
<p><iframe width="960" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/akGd97GWiZE" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's good to hear about how the team seems to feel more prepared as this season begins. This should translate into results on the field. Let's hope that team comes out of the gate better than it did last year.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Go Bruins!!!</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla_bruin_football/2015/9/2/9247883/ucla-football-feels-better-prepared-for-the-unexpectedJoe Piechowski2015-09-02T09:00:03-07:002015-09-02T09:00:03-07:00Virginia Preview: Coaching Staff and Special Teams
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<img alt="Mike London is on the hot seat at Virginia." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gpagFnbcX999ttHBUxBS_cPL1MA=/0x246:1700x1379/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47077016/usa-today-8178101.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mike London is on the hot seat at Virginia. | Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It's game week! Let's start looking at this week's opponent: the Virginia Cavaliers.</p> <p>The summer was quiet, minus a kettlebell or two. Camp was a little louder, minus the son of a celebrity quitting the team. Saturday is the time for UCLA to make a statement, minus one of the top defensive backs in the conference.</p>
<p>As the Bruins take the field this Saturday, I think we've gotten a pretty good feel for this year's team. The team is loaded with talent and experience, but that doesn't mean that nothing is new with this year's team. We have a new QB and a new defensive coordinator, but both of them should bring lots of euphoria to Bruin fans this season.</p>
<p>As we finally have a game to play this weekend, let's start our look at this week's opponent: the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.streakingthelawn.com/">Virginia Cavaliers</a> by looking at the coaching staff and special teams.</p>
<h3>Coaching Staff</h3>
<p>Virginia was an improved program last year as we saw in the season opener. The team finished 5-7 compared to 2-10 the previous year. That didn't stop UVa fans from wanting the school to make a coaching change. It didn't happen and head coach <a href="http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/london_mike01.html" target="_blank">Mike London</a> is back again this season, but his seat is hotter than ever. If London can't get the team to a bowl game this year, the Cavalier fan base will probably get even more vocal about wanting him gone.</p>
<p>This is London's 6th season in Charlottesville and he has posted a 23-38 record in his first five seasons. That's a stark difference from the 24-5 record London had at Richmond before he was named head coach at UVa. London's experience comes on the defensive side of the ball, having played defensive back at UVa and with the Dallas Cowboys.</p>
<p>The coordinators did not change after last season. <a href="http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/steve_fairchild_837784.html" target="_blank">Steve Fairchild</a> returns for his third season as the Offensive Coordinator. The offense did not really show much improvement statistically last season. In 2013, the team was ranked 97th in total offense and, in 2014, they were 87th. They did improve the efficiency of the passing game slightly by averaging 6.5 yards per attempt in 2014 compared to 5 yards per attempt in 2013.</p>
<p>The team ran the ball a little bit less last season and their rushing yards per game dropped from 150 in 2013 to 137.4 in 2014. Subsequently, the team gained more passing yards per game last season than in 2013. But, ultimately, it's points on the scoreboard that wins games and Virginia scored an average of 25.8 points per game last year which was an improvement of 6 points per game over 2013.</p>
<p>Defensively, <a href="http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/jon_tenuta_833600.html" target="_blank">Jon Tenuta</a> returns for his third year as well and Tenuta's defense got stingier last season. The team allowed almost 50 fewer yards per game in 2014 compared to 2013 and 9 fewer points per game than 2013 as well.</p>
<p>It was the team's run defense that really showed improvement last season. Virginia' rushing yards per game dropped to 120.7, ranking them 18th in run defense for the year, compared to 170.7 rushing yards per game in 2013.</p>
<p>So, in general, it would appear that the way to beat Virginia is to run the ball successfully. If the O Line and running backs can put together a big game, expect an easy victory. If the running game struggles, look for a close one.</p>
<p>Let's turn to Special Teams.</p>
<h3>Special Teams</h3>
<p>Senior Ian Frye will should be handling the placekicking duties like last season. Fry hit 34 of 35 extra points and was perfect on field goal attempts under 40 yards, making 17 such attempts. He was 5 for 7 on attempts between 40 and 49 yards and 0 for 3 over 50, with a long of 47 yards.</p>
<p>Punting should be handled by redshirt junior <span>Nicholas Conte</span> who takes over after Alex Vozenilek graduated. Conte has yet to punt in an actual game since coming to UVa.</p>
<p>Virginia was 7th best in the nation last season on kickoff returns, averaging 25.29 yards per kick, but their punt return team was the 11th worst in the nation, averaging 4.4 yards per punt. Obviously, the key for UCLA will be to keep both of these stats as low as possible.</p>
<p>That wraps up our look at the coaching staff and special teams.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Go Bruins!!!</p>
https://www.bruinsnation.com/ucla-bruins-virginia-cavaliers/2015/9/2/9242537/ucla-bruins-football-virginia-cavaliers-preview-coaching-staff-special-teamsJoe Piechowski