Josh Rosen Undergoes Surgery on Injured Shoulder

Jim Mora told reporters on Monday that Josh Rosen had surgery on his injured throwing shoulder that morning and is expected to make a full recovery. Mora talked to Rosen on the phone shortly after he got out of surgery, and was expecting to visit his star quarterback and Manhattan Beach neighbor later Monday evening.

"I know that in talking to Josh’s family and Josh’s dad is a very, very well-known and distinguished orthopedic surgeon, they are very pleased with the results, so, to me, that’s very encouraging," Mora said.

Mora was reluctant to give a time-frame for Rosen’s recovery, but he did mention it as a possibility that Rosen could be ready in time for Spring practices.

"I know Josh and I know our athletic training staff and our doctors. I know the people that Josh has worked with off campus with regards to his shoulder and I know that everyone will do the best they can to get Josh back on schedule, throwing the football and participating in spring, if possible," Mora said. "And I think that’s all we can ask."

Mora stressed that Rosen’s injury is not an injury to the nerve, and that he misspoke a few weeks ago when he talked about waiting for that "nerve to start firing." After suiting up and trying to play against Washington State and Utah, Mora said that Rosen had a second MRI, which led to the election to have the procedure. He said that Rosen’s family was "overjoyed" by what the doctors did find during the surgery, but stopped short of giving any specifics about the injury or procedure.

Rosen is staying at his home through the week to begin his recovery and start the process of rehabilitation. Then he’ll return to school and participate in team meetings and activities, but will be staying off the field.

"It’s been hard for him. It’s been hard for a guy that’s as competitive as Josh is to sit on the sidelines and not be able to help his team win, especially when they need him the most, in games like that, but that’s just who he is, he’s competitive," Mora said. "He comes from a great family. He’s a tremendous young man. I think he has a great attitude toward things and I think he’ll really attack his rehab."

Mora also said that tackle Kolton Miller was making progress in his injury, but wouldn’t speculate on when he could return. Scott Quessenberry, who suffered a shoulder injury and was limited in practice leading into the Colorado game, and Najee Toran and Andre James, who both got banged up in Boulder, were all expected to play against Oregon State.

Just One Kicker Will Do

After opening up the competitions for both placekicker and punter midway through the season, Mora is now going to stick with his two true freshman scholarship kickers, placekicker J.J. Molson and punter Austin Kent, for the rest of the season.

"It’s not out of line to say that they hit a little bit of a wall as freshman and had their struggles, but I think we know they’re talented young men and I think the best thing to do is just show them confidence and help them get through this," Mora said. "I think that they’ll be better for it."

Recruiting by Helicopter

Mora said that he doesn’t believe the 3-6 season so far has turned off any recruits that are considering UCLA for their college football careers.

"They know how successful we’ve become over the last four years. They know how the culture is here. They know the direction that we’re headed in and they’re excited about it." Mora said. "And they also see opportunities to come in and help."

Mora attracted attention by using a helicopter to jump around to different high school games in Southern California to check out recruits over the weekend, including four different games on Friday night.

"I’m not gonna lie, jumping into a helicopter, I was like, ‘I can’t believe I’m doing this, you know, this just isn’t me,’" Mora said. "But the players that you went and saw, they thought it was the coolest thing in the world."

Alternate Uniforms

The Bruins will wear alternate uniforms on Saturday in the Rose Bowl to honor the military.

Check 'em out:

Bruins to honor the military this Saturday at the Rose Bowl. https://t.co/320XyAsACj #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/ZO5XzWwu0X

— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) November 7, 2016

See more from head coach Jim Mora and defensive lineman Eli Ankou. Videos are courtesy of Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the LA Daily News.

HC Jim Mora:

DL Eli Ankou:

GO BRUINS.