The Bruins were foaming at the mouth when they saw zebra stripes
Friday.
“After three months of conditioning and no hitting we have
a bunch of energy all balled up and ready to come out,”
junior offensive lineman Steve Vieira said.
But it was the defense that came out like rabid dogs in front of
the referees when the team scrimmaged for the first time with live
tackling. That did not concern wide receivers coach Jon Embree,
whose offense dominated Thursday.
“I’ve been in springs where the offense or the
defense won every time. Those were bad years,” Embree said.
“But it is always good when you do the beating.”
In the dog race at quarterback, neither sophomore Drew Olson nor
Matt Moore has jumped out, lending credence to the claim that they
are just focusing on learning this spring.
“The offense is not complicated, but it gives you a lot of
options,” fellow quarterback redshirt freshman Brian Callahan
said.
“I’m sure we all think we are doing pretty
good,” sophomore quarterback John Sciarra added, noting that
all four still feel they can compete to start.
The quarterbacks are being protected by a depleted offensive
line after offensive tackles Matt Mosebar and Elliot Vallejo quit
in the previous two weeks.
“It really affects us,” Vieira said. “You
start running and it is always your turn because there are not as
many people so you get more reps. It’s good for you but you
get tired.”
Vieira has adjusted well to his move from guard to tackle,
allowing senior Shane Lehmann to start in his place and improving
the versatility of the line.
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Head coach Karl Dorrell and the staff extended their outreach
efforts Saturday with a clinic for high school coaches at Crenshaw
High School in Los Angeles. Dorrell expressed concern for
recruiting in the inner city where UCLA has lost players to both
cross-town and out-of-state schools in the past.
Tonight is the second of three Tuesday night coaching clinics
held after practice also for high school coaches in the greater
L.A. area. Spaulding Field has attracted up to 50 high school
recruits and coaches a day since spring ball started.
Dorrell will also hold youth and high school football camps in
June. Information is available at www.karldorrellcamp.com.
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Embree sees his receivers gaining swagger. Receivers are hardly
known for their humility, but for one player, confidence could have
been a legitimate concern.
Freshman Antwuan Smith just enrolled in school in time for
spring practice, joining the team after all the bonds of the season
have been forged.
“Everyone else has been through the routine and you are
the only one in that situation,” Embree said. “At first
you could tell Antwuan hadn’t played in a while, but he has a
lot of confidence so he doesn’t let himself get
low.”
As a whole, the receiver corps needs most to work on
consistency, but Embree is pleased with overall progress.
Proceeding down the list, he said, “Craig (Bragg) was
doing things well early. Junior (Taylor) is getting more
consistent. Idris (Moss) has made strides.”