For much of the season so far, the UCLA football team has found little success running the ball.
With an offensive line in a seemingly continuous state of flux due to injury, inexperience and sub-par performance, the Bruins have struggled gaining any success on the ground.
Until last Saturday.
Against No. 22 Fresno State, the Bruins had a coming-out party of sorts, gaining a season-high 234 yards on 38 carries.
One of the reasons behind the Bruins’ success against the Bulldogs was the return of senior running back Kahlil Bell. Bell, who suffered a high-ankle sprain in the team’s opening game against Tennessee, rushed for 73 yards on 20 carries, including two touchdowns in the Bruins’ 36-31 loss.
At his weekly press conference Monday afternoon, coach Rick Neuheisel commented about the importance of having Bell back in the lineup.
“Kahlil being back in the game helps us, not only from a talent standpoint but certainly he brings an attitude with him,” Neuheisel said. “Kahlil’s kind of like that guy in the Monty Python movies, gets his arm cut off and says “˜Flesh wound.’ He can go, and he’ll tell you he can go.”
While Bell received the majority of the carries in the first half Saturday, he had just two carries in the second half. Neuheisel said the reduced number of carries was due to Bell’s ankle tightening, and he decided to side with caution.
Bell is expected to play on Saturday against Washington State.
Following the game, Bell stood in front of his locker, commenting on how good it felt to be back on the field.
“Being that this is my senior year, it’s harder than ever to sit down and watch other people play when you know you can be playing,” Bell said. “It’s just the nature of the beast. I did everything I could to get back as fast as possible. I came back (Saturday) and tried to run as hard as I could and try to be productive and try to help boost our team.”
NEUHEISEL SAYS DEFENSE MUST ELIMINATE BIG PLAYS: One of the lingering images of Saturday’s loss to Fresno State was the Bruin defense, arguably the strongest unit on the team, unable to get the Bulldog offense off the field with 8:55 left in the game.
On that final drive, the Bulldogs went 85 yards in 17 plays, converting on a 3rd-and-4, as well as a crucial 4th-and-1.
Neuheisel said that one of the biggest concerns is eliminating the big play, specifically pointing out a 49-yard reverse by Fresno State running back Ryan Matthews for a touchdown.
“We’ve got to eliminate the big play, and usually, as is always the case, it’s one guy getting out of position and all of a sudden, there’s a huge play,” Neuheisel said. “Those are things we can get better at. Then finding ways to neutralize their third-down efficiency, and when that happens, we’ll all of a sudden be a team that can play with anybody.”
INJURY REPORT: Center Micah Reed suffered a MCL sprain in his left knee Saturday. Neuheisel said he hopes to have Reed back soon. … Wide receiver Marcus Everett (toe) will return to practice this week. … Linebacker Kyle Bosworth (knee) is still “a ways away,” Neuheisel said. … Defensive end Korey Bosworth (elbow hyper-extension) will practice and will play on Saturday.