For the past few years, the cynics and naysayers have found a
comfortable home watching and critiquing UCLA football.
Last weekend’s loss to Washington State reaffirmed their
thoughts of the Bruins as a team that spirals downward at the end
of the season as the losses mount and enthusiasm wanes.
Now, as the Bruins (5-4, 3-3 Pac-10) head north to face Oregon
(5-4, 4-2) on Saturday, looking to become bowl-eligible with a
victory, they want to prove the naysayers wrong.
They want to prove that this team is different.
“Last year it was a grind,” said quarterback Drew
Olson, whose team lost five in a row to finish last season.
“It was honestly a grind. But that’s because we
weren’t a good football team, and I don’t think we
believed in ourselves.
“This year we’re a good football team when we want
to play the game the right way. We know it’s there.
It’s just putting it out there every play. We’re
learning how to win, and we’re learning how to play this game
as a young team.
“It’s just frustrating losing some of these games we
should have won.”
The Bruins could have defeated Oklahoma State, had they been
able to stop the run at all. They could have defeated Arizona
State, had they not collapsed in the game’s final seven
minutes. And they could have defeated Washington State, had they
decided to come out and play with just a little bit of passion at
the beginning of the game.
But alas, all three were losses, and UCLA continues to hover
around mediocrity.
Still, the Bruins continue to say that they’re learning
how to win, and a win Saturday could do a lot for the team’s
confidence and the future of the season.
“It’s just little things,” Olson said.
“It’s not rocket science by any means, and I think
people are starting to realize that.
“We are close. We’re super close. And everyone feels
that, everyone knows it. It’s just a matter of getting out
there and putting it down on the field.”
UCLA will face a staunch test this weekend in the Ducks. Oregon
had won four in a row prior to losing to No. 4 California, 28-27,
last weekend. Had a couple of plays gone right for the Ducks, they
would have sprung the upset.
And since the two teams are separated by only one game in the
Pac-10 standings, this game means a lot.
“It’s a big week for us,” cornerback Matt
Clark said. “We definitely want to get this win to get a bowl
berth, and definitely change that past perception about us just
drifting off toward the end of the season.”
No one on this football team wants to have that label attached
to them, and to change history, the Bruins will have to show up
Saturday against an Oregon team that is led by quarterback Kellen
Clemens.
Clemens has completed 62.6 percent of his passes this season for
2012 yards and 12 touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, the
Oregon defense has been solid against the run, as opponents are
averaging only 114.3 yards rushing per game.
But this game is less about Oregon than it is about UCLA. The
attitude has been, and continues to be, that the Bruins are in
control of their own destiny. If they play with passion and
intensity, they feel like they won’t lose.
“I feel like if we play our game, there shouldn’t be
anybody out there who can stop us,” said receiver Craig
Bragg, who set UCLA’s all-time record for career receptions
last weekend. “All we can do is worry about ourselves, and
concentrate on what it takes to go up there and win.”
With just two games remaining in the regular season, the Bruins
don’t have much more time to learn how to win. They have to
demonstrate their learning now.
“It’s week nine, we lost a game and we have two
games left and we are going to get ourselves right back on the
horse again,” coach Karl Dorrell said. “We will put out
our best effort again this week. The season is not lost. There is
still a lot to improve on.”
And there is still a lot to enjoy.
“It can’t ever be a grind when you’re out here
playing football,” Bragg said. “If somebody thinks
that, then they have the wrong attitude about it.”
INJURY UPDATE: Of the slew of injuries that have hit UCLA over
the past week, it appears that none will keep a player on the
sidelines for Saturday’s game at Oregon.
The biggest question mark was sophomore tailback Maurice Drew,
whose status did not look promising earlier in the week after
suffering an ankle sprain. However, he was able to participate in
some running back drills on Thursday and will dress for the
game.
Dorrell still says that Drew’s playing time will be
limited, which should leave more carries for senior Manuel White
and freshman Chris Markey. … Marcedes Lewis’s bruised
tailbone will also not keep him out on Saturday. The junior tight
end may be limited, but he is closer to full strength than Drew. If
Lewis has a setback or cannot play his usual amount, sophomore J.J.
Hair and junior Keith Carter will assume the load, with junior Matt
Raney also entering the fold. … Junior Jarrad Page’s
bruised right foot does not appear serious, as he was able to
participate in a full practice.