The play is blown dead, and yet Maurice Drew continues to rumble
down the field until he crosses the end zone. The junior running
back never loafs or dawdles. He refuses to shy away from contact.
He hits the holes with the same vigor every time. It’s just
another day of practice. To say the pocket-size Drew has been a
large reason why the Bruins (7-0, 4-0 Pac-10) are No. 6 would be
more than an understatement. He’s done everything UCLA has
asked of him. With duties as a running back, punt returner and
receiver, Drew has more than fulfilled his duties as a complete
player, and that’s why coaches are lauding him. “We
knew what we had in Maurice, and that’s a complete player
that continues to hone his skills every day,” UCLA running
back coach Eric Bieniemy said. “Trust me, as good as
he’s been playing, he still has a long way to go. He can
improve a tremendous amount, and that’s the scary
thing.” Already snagging national headlines for his
performance this season, Drew has racked up 1,279 yards and 16
touchdowns on the season, as opposed to his totals of 1,421 yards
and 12 touchdowns a year ago. He is the most dangerous punt
returner in the nation, with three scores to his name and a glaring
30.8 average yards per return mark. Tack that on with the fact that
he’s second in the nation in individual scoring (13.71 points
per game), and that’s the reason Drew has garnered attention
as a possible Heisman candidate. It’s been the work that Drew
has put in during the offseason, as well as the experienced
offensive line and players in front of him. “I’ve
worked out way harder this year than I have before,” Drew
said. “I keep pushing myself, and it’s paying off. I
have a great (offensive line) out there blocking for me, and
I’m not getting hit as much as I was last year. They’re
putting their bodies on the line for me.” During the same
time last season, Drew was battered and fatigued. He said he
didn’t take care of his body after each game, but now sees
himself getting treatment every time a bruise or a nagging injury
arises. Bieniemy believes one of the reasons why Drew, who is
ranked fourth in the nation with 185.57 all-purpose yards per game,
has been so proficient this season is because of senior quarterback
Drew Olson and sophomore running back Chris Markey. Olson has
provided punch in the pass game, and Markey has fitted in nicely as
a backup to Drew. Markey sees it as Drew’s work ethic.
“It seems this year his intensity is up, and his tempo
too,” he said. “He’s at a different level, and
it’s showing this year. Teams are going to utilize their best
athlete. We’re doing that.” Asked what Drew could work
on to improve, Bieniemy said there are a lot of things. “He
can learn to be more of a consistent runner ““ his reads and
patience,” he said. “But what makes him special is that
Maurice never takes (his success) for granted. He’s a
worker.”
ON THE MEND: Freshman linebacker John Hale and junior wide
receiver Joe Cowan are starting to recover from their respective
injuries suffered against Oregon State, participating in no-contact
drills on Tuesday.
McCLOSKEY REHABBING: Senior center Mike McCloskey underwent more
tests on his injured right shoulder, which forced him out of the
second half of the game against Oregon State. Tests have yet to be
released. McCloskey is undergoing rehabilitation currently, trying
to force his coach’s hand to allow him to start this weekend
against Stanford. However, coach Dorrell and the UCLA training
staff’s ultimate decision on McCloskey’s availability
will be based on the test results.