Know the name. Maurice Drew.
The Bruins are 2-1 and have produced some positive story lines
this season, but nothing compares to what the sophomore tailback
accomplished at Washington one week ago.
Maurice was special, I’ve never seen someone run for that
many yards,” offensive coordinator Tom Cable said of
Drew’s record-breaking 322-yard and five touchdown
performance. “You kind of giggle, you kind of say,
“˜Wow, that’s pretty neat.'”
After a ho-hum first game on the ground against Oklahoma State,
Drew has elevated his game to heights reminiscent of former great
UCLA running back DeShaun Foster. After a lackluster 2003 season,
it appears that UCLA’s offense is forging an identity with
Drew as its focus.
“I’m just going to try and set higher standards for
myself and the team,” Drew said.
Drew took over the load in the Bruins’ win over Illinois
on Sept. 11, carrying the football 21 times for 142 yards and a
touchdown. But that was just a hint of what was to come.
On a rainy, Seattle, Wash. evening before one of the toughest
crowds in the Pac-10, Drew turned in a performance for the ages,
setting the UCLA record for both rushing yards and touchdowns in a
single game. Afterward, he tried to deflect the attention.
“I just thought it was going to be special for everyone
today because of the holes,” Drew said. “The O-line
accepted the challenge.”
Coach Karl Dorrell, though, was decidedly more flattering.
“I haven’t seen anything better.”
Even with a Washington defense that knew what was coming, Drew
sliced and danced through them as though he was playing a video
game.
“We broke some tackles and outran everyone a few
times,” Cable said. “Everyone is doing what they are
supposed to do to succeed in running the football.”
Drew’s eyepopping 10.4 yards per carry came largely as a
result of his breakaway speed. At 5-foot-8, the compact Drew bursts
across the line of scrimmage like a pinball, bouncing off of
tacklers and breaking outside with ease. His shortest touchdown was
fifteen yards. The other four went for at least 37 yards.
As a freshman last season, Drew started twice and led a
committee of running backs in rushing. Nevertheless, he convinced
few that he had the promise UCLA fans have been dreaming of since
Foster left in 2001.
Foster, a much larger back, held the individual UCLA game record
of 301 yards and four touchdowns, coincidentally also accomplished
against Washington.
“I didn’t think I would ever see a 300-yard rusher
again after DeShaun,” senior wideout Craig Bragg said.
“They’re definitely different types of runners.
Maurice is definitely more of a breakaway threat.”
Of course, none of this would be possible without a rejuvenated
offensive line that is creating truck-sized holes.
After last season’s disappointment, the linemen worked in
the offseason developing cohesiveness and strength. Drew’s
performance has already vindicated the line.
“I can’t really put into words how happy I am for
our guys,” junior offensive tackle Ed Blanton said.
Drew has certainly done his best with what the line has given
him. He is deceptively elusive, displaying nimble feet he credits
to childhood ballet lessons.
Paired with the more straight-ahead style of White, who has
quietly had three impressive games of 145, 97, and 89 yards, the
Bruins have a complementary tandem of tailbacks that can both
produce each game.
“Usually when I watch Maurice and Manuel, I’m
waiting for them to break one,” Dorrell said.
And for UCLA to overcome the past few drab seasons and the low
expectations placed on them this year, it will need some star power
to emerge and carry the load when the rougher portion of the
conference schedule sets in.
If Drew can continue or even come close to sustaining his
current pace and fix a tendency to fumble the ball, which he has
done twice this year, the Bruins may be able to break a string of
mediocrity and contend again in the Pac-10.
“He did some great things and he made some plays,”
Dorrell said. “That really started to trickle with our guys a
little bit. Those are all signs of a team that is starting to
mature and believe they can do some great things this
year.”