As soon as one leak is plugged, another one opens up. After
UCLA’s 31-10 win over Utah in the season opener, coach Karl
Dorrell stressed the need to improve the running game. But the
rushing attack was the only blemish from that first game, as
quarterback Ben Olson had a sparkling 2006 debut. Following a pair
of uninspiring performances, a 26-16 win over Rice and a 29-19 loss
at Washington, Dorrell was faced with questions regarding
conservative play calling. His team overpowered Rice and Washington
running the ball but failed to establish a vertical passing game.
As a result, the Bruins (2-1, 0-1) prepared for Saturday’s
game against Stanford (0-4, 0-2) with a focus on balance, getting
the offense going from all angles to finish off drives with a
touchdown, not a field goal. “We need to do our stuff better
and that’s the bottom line,” Dorrell said. “We
need to play to our potential. We’ve had a good level of
execution in practice (this week) and we need to transfer that over
to Saturday. “We’re close. (If) we score touchdowns, we
won’t be having these issues.” But an end to the
touchdown deficiencies might have more to do with Stanford’s
struggling defense than UCLA’s balance. In fact, the numbers
suggest that the Bruins won’t need much balance to handle the
Cardinal, which is giving up 312 yards per game on the ground. So
there’s a good chance that UCLA will have no reason to remove
the shackles from Olson’s left arm. In comparison, UCLA is
averaging 175.7 rushing yards for a 4.1 yards per carry clip
through three games. “We’re angry about last week and
we know that we need to finish off drives better,” offensive
guard Shannon Tevaga said. “It really doesn’t matter if
we have to run more or throw more, as long as we’re physical.
I want to put a hurt on somebody. “I don’t want to see
Justin (Medlock) kicking as many field goals.” SNEAD, THE
TIGHT END: Defensive end William Snead, a redshirt junior, will be
getting playing time in Saturday’s game at tight end. Snead
was moved to tight end earlier this week in practice. The effect of
Snead’s position change was twofold: It was a chance for the
team to get him on the field more often, and it provided the
position with depth. Tight ends J.J. Hair and Tyler Holland have
been slowed by various injuries so far this season. Snead will work
on offense and defense for a while longer, Dorrell said.
“He’s a two-way guy right now,” he said.
RUSH DEFENSE: Although much of the focus has
been on UCLA’s sputtering offense against Washington, the
defense has continued to stifle the opponent. Across the board, the
Bruins have cut in half (or better) their defensive statistics from
last season. They are giving up only 71.3 rushing yards and 168.7
passing yards per game. “We’re flying to the
football,” Dorrell said. “Guys have great technique.
That was a formidable part to the season, … to be better at that,
and we have done so.”
INJURIES: CB Michael Norris (knee), WR Joe
Cowan (knee), DT Chase Moline (back) and TE J.J. Hair (hip) will
not play on Saturday. Norris and Cowan still have no timetable for
a return from PCL injuries. Moline and Hair could be out for the
following week’s game against Arizona as well.