PASADENA “”mdash; Two steps forward, one step back. The UCLA
football team appears to be stuck in a perpetual bunny hop as it
continues to make forward progress while struggling to establish an
offensive identity.
Despite numerous penalties and mental miscues, UCLA was finally
able to open up its offense enough to defeat San Diego State 20-10
Saturday night at the Rose Bowl.
After a typically sluggish first half offensively, UCLA finally
gave the 48,690 fans in attendance reason to cheer. Quarterback
Drew Olson threw two touchdown passes in the second half, including
a 41-yard strike to Junior Taylor in the third quarter for the
Bruins’ first home touchdown of the season.
“It was a matter of just going out there, relaxing and
having fun,” Olson said. “I think I lost sight of
really playing football. I think a lot of us did. We’re just
pressing and we knew we had this good offense with so much talent;
it was something we just had to do.”
Though the team did show offensive improvement, it didn’t
come until the second quarter. Fifty-eight penalty yards crippled
the Bruins’ first-quarter offense, as the Bruins were held
scoreless.
UCLA finally discovered some semblance of an attack in the
second quarter when Olson found tight end Marcedes Lewis for a
20-yard gain. The Bruins’ first sustained drive led to a
27-yard field goal by kicker Justin Medlock, tying the game
3-3.
In the second half, UCLA opened up the offense further. Olson
connected with Taylor to give the Bruins their first lead of the
game. After a C.J. Niusulu interception gave the offense good field
position, Olson hooked up with wide receiver Ryan Smith for an
11-yard touchdown pass that sealed the victory for UCLA.
Overall Olson completed 18-of-28 passes for 258 yards ““
110 of which were to Taylor, establishing a new career high for the
sophomore receiver.
“In the first three games, (the passing game) wasn’t
always so good,” Olson said. “We always thought we
could move the ball. Now to actually go out there and put up points
builds a lot of confidence.”
Despite the marked offensive improvement in the second half, the
Bruins were largely ineffective rushing the football. Starting
tailback Manuel White averaged just three yards per carry in his 16
attempts, while reserves Maurice Drew and Tyler Ebell were not much
more productive.Â
Also, the victory was marred by UCLA’s nine penalties for
113 yards, including a late fourth quarter personal foul by
defensive tackle Rodney Leisle.
Leisle, who was ejected after he pushed a San Diego State
offensive lineman on the last drive, will be suspended for the
first half of the conference opener this Saturday against
Washington.
“It was one of those stupid penalties,” Leisle said.
“I shouldn’t have done it. It screws up the
team.”
Penalties continue to plague a Bruin team still trying to adjust
to a new offensive system.
“I’m a little concerned with the penalties that
happened for us early on in the game, which we were on a pretty
good trend of eliminating game by game the past few weeks,”
head coach Karl Dorrell said. “I wish I knew the reason. It
was a disruptive issue because when we were generating some things
offensively, it was throwing us back.”
Especially disconcerting was the Bruins’ first series, in
which the offense actually faced first down and 40 after two
15-yard penalties on the same play.
“I’m not very pleased with that,” Dorrell
said.
With four turnovers Saturday, the team continues to struggle
hanging on to the ball. Olson paid dearly for his indecisiveness in
the pocket, losing three fumbles to the San Diego State
defense.
The quarterback did appear to become more comfortable with the
offense as the game went on, a positive step for the sophomore.
“Our guys are learning things in steps and things are
getting a little bit better,” Dorrell said. “It was
nice to see the offense make a few plays and be productive.
Hopefully we can continue that trend where we’re getting
better week after week, but we still have a ways to go.”
The UCLA defense had another strong performance, holding the
Aztecs to just 110 yards passing. Defensive end Dave Ball tallied
one of the Bruins’ three sacks, moving him to seventh in the
UCLA record books with 19.5 career sacks. The team also picked off
two of San Diego State quarterback Mat Dlugolecki’s passes,
one by linebacker Spencer Havner in the third quarter and
Niusulu’s interception marking his first-ever as a Bruin.
The team will now begin to prepare for the start of the Pac-10
conference play, which opens next week at home against No. 18
Washington.
“Today we were playing with confidence and playing with a
swagger,” Olson said. “I thought everyone was out there
having fun.”