With a new NCAA rule pushing the line of scrimmage on kickoffs back five yards, there was an unusual focus on special teams Saturday at Stanford.
While the effects of the new rule may not be fully understood until after the season is over, UCLA’s special teams looked both rusty and explosive- depending on which side of the ball you were looking at.
On kick returns, redshirt senior free safety Matt Slater took two back for a combined 66 yards, including a 37-yarder that would have been a touchdown had he not stepped out of bounds around midfield.
“The guys up front did a really good job,” Slater said. “Big Jerzy Siewierski up front and Nikola Dragovic ““ I feel safe behind those guys every time I get the ball. The guys up front did their jobs, and I was able to break a tackle and get outside. I just wish I could’ve stayed in-bounds because there was a lot of grass on the right side.
“I wasn’t sure (I had stepped out of bounds),” Slater said. “I knew it was going to be close and I tried to walk the tightrope, but I just wanted to keep running until I heard the whistle. It was a little disappointing, but we showed some promise on that unit, and we’ve got a lot to look forward to this year.”
For the Bruins, who have lacked a true return threat since Maurice Jones-Drew, having a speedster with home-run ability would add another potent weapon to their arsenal.
But for Slater, who returned his first kickoffs for the Bruins on Saturday, all he wants is the old cliche: just to help the team.
“I know I’ve got to be a leader as a senior this year,” Slater said. “So for me, I’ve just got to step up and make plays on special teams and be an example to the younger guys and continue to work and contribute to our goals this season.”
For the other side of the special teams ball, redshirt freshman Kai Forbath went 1-for-3 on field goal attempts, missing attempts of 28 and 42 yards. On the 42-yard miss, the ball looked as if it went over the left post, and even on a replay it was difficult to determine whether it was in fact a miss.
Jimmy Rotstein handled all eight kickoffs with no touchbacks.
COMPETITION HEATS UP WITHIN TEAM:On Tuesday, competition heated up within the team as the offense has grown more confidence since Saturday’s 45-point output.
“I liked how we ended the practice, being competitive on both sides and both guys jawing at each other,” coach Karl Dorrell said on Tuesday. “I like that. You can tell the offense has confidence now going against the defense, and obviously the defense is confident in their abilities. It’s good to do that type of work.”
For most ““ if not all ““ of the summer practices, the Bruin offense looked like the more experienced and confident unit between the two.
INJURY UPDATE: Cornerback Rodney Van, who suffered an ankle sprain Saturday, will receive more time to rest, and whether or not he will play will be a game-time decision. If he does not start, sophomore Alterraun Verner will take his place in the secondary.
“We feel we’ve got pretty good depth at corner, so we should be okay,” Dorrell said.
Siewierski, who was wearing a protective boot at practice on Wednesday, should be ready for practice today after suffering from an injured arch.
“He looks worse than he actually is,” Dorrell said. “We’re just going to try to keep pressure off of that area for a while. That’s why he was in a boot. He should be ready to go and do some things tomorrow.”