SAN DIEGO “”mdash; Entering Saturday’s season-opener
against San Diego State, one of UCLA coach Karl Dorrell’s
stated goals was to “˜unleash’ preseason All-American
tight end Marcedes Lewis, a player who’s stats do not
indicate the hype surrounding his talented repertoire of speed and
strength.
After Lewis delivered a career performance Saturday night, fans
of the Bruins learned what it really means to “˜unleash’
Lewis on the opposition.
UCLA went to their All-American tight end early and often. Lewis
finished with a career-high seven receptions and 131 yards as it
was made clear who would be the Bruins’ go-to receiver this
season.
“There is no one on the field that can guard me,”
Lewis said. “I was on a lot of preseason All-American lists
and I just needed to show that it wasn’t an accident.
“I needed to make a statement.”
Lewis indeed made a statement, recording the Bruins’ first
four receptions of the night, combining for a total of 75 yards on
the Bruins’ first three possessions.
UCLA offensive coordinator Tom Cable designed plays that
repeatedly lined up the 6-foot-6-inch, 256-pound tight end at
receiver in the slot position. As a result, Lewis capitalized on
the numerous mismatches he presented the Aztec secondary.
“I think people were concerned whether we were going to
get him involved in the offense,” Dorrell said. “I
think we answered that question tonight.”
Entering the 2005 campaign, one of the loudest criticisms
Dorrell received from Bruin fans has been the sporadic use of Lewis
in an offensive scheme that thrives on high-percentage passing
attempts. In his first three years, Lewis caught a total of 68
passes for 830 yards, but Lewis made it very clear early on that
his goal this year was much more, setting a goal of 50
receptions.
“When I set that goal, I made sure that I was going to
achieve it,” Lewis said. “Many people can talk the
talk, but I wanted to walk the walk, and I showed that
tonight.”
If history is any indication, Lewis should have a good chance of
reaching his goal.
Lewis’ predecessor at tight end, Mike Seidman, made 41
receptions his senior season after making just 12 receptions and
six receptions, respectively, the two years before.
After his performance in the season opener, Lewis is now second
all-time in receptions on the Bruins’ passing lists among
tight ends. DREW INJURED: UCLA running back
Maurice Drew, who scored two touchdowns with 114 yards rushing in
the first half, came off the field in the beginning of the second
half with what appeared to be a leg cramp.
Drew was immediately taken into the UCLA locker room, but came
back out onto the field later in the third quarter and was walking
around with no ill-effects.
“I feel good,” Drew said afterward. “I just
had a minor cramp, and the coaches thought it was best that I just
sat out the rest of the game.”
DORRELL CHALLENGE: When instant replay was
installed in nine of the 11 Division I college football conferences
this season, only the Mountain West Conference, which San Diego
State belongs to, chose to allow for coaches’ challenges.
The rule came into play with a little over 11 minutes left in
the third quarter when Dorrell chose to dispute a catch Lewis made
at the one-yard line, believing he crossed the plane for a
touchdown.
The referees, however, ruled that Lewis’ knee was indeed
down at the one-yard line and UCLA was charged a timeout for losing
the challenge.
SPECAL TEAMS: The Bruins’ special teams
shined on Saturday night, recording a total of 218 returning yards
off of punts and kicks.
The spotlight was shared by running backs Drew and Chris Markey,
who had 80, and 91 returning yards respectively.
“Our special teams really came through for us
tonight,” Drew said. “My blockers were just phenomenal.
All I had to do was run.”
The highlight of the night came in the first quarter when
defensive lineman Nikola Dragovic blocked the Aztecs’ PAT
attempt by Garret Palmer.
EXTRA POINTS: Saturday night’s attendance
of 50,710 was the sixth largest in Aztec history, and the third
largest for a season opening game for the Bruins.
The Aztecs and Qualcomm Stadium raised over $15,300 dollars for
the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.
UCLA will be collecting donations for the Katrina Relief Fund at
its Sept. 10 home opener against Rice University at the Rose Bowl.
Fans who donate money to the fund will receive a coupon for
admission for two to a regular-season UCLA Olympic Sport event.