After a week off which the UCLA football team used to improve and reflect on a 3-0 start to the season, redshirt freshman running back Johnathan Franklin made a bold prediction for when the Bruins start Pac-10 play against Stanford on Saturday.

“We’re going to be better in this game than we’ve been in every other game,” Franklin said. “We’re just going to get better and better every week.”

Franklin’s mentality characterized the entire team’s feelings during a very spirited practice Tuesday, one filled with blaring music, yells and plenty of hard hits.

“I was pleased to see the intensity of the work,” coach Rick Neuheisel said. “We understand the quality of the opponent and our guys are aware that it’s going to take a big-time effort to get it done.”

The Bruins (3-0) remain the lone undefeated team in the Pac-10 four weeks into the season. Yet according to junior defensive tackle Brian Price their record stands at 0-0, placing great importance on Saturday’s Pac-10 opener against the Cardinal (3-1, 2-0 Pac-10).

“I think it was increased spirit because it is the conference play opener,” senior cornerback Alterraun Verner said. “We know how Stanford is, that they’re going to be physical and come out and try to pound us.”

One big weapon the Cardinal possess is a solid running game, led by senior Toby Gerhart. In the first four games of the season, Gerhart has rushed for 516 yards and five touchdowns, including 200 yards last week in a 34-14 win over then-No. 24 Washington.

“Big runner, tough, but everybody’s got to run to the ball and do what we do,” Price said. “That’s our bread and butter, running to the ball, and our trademark is toughness.”

Verner reiterated Price’s comments.

“It’s going to be a battle of heavy-weight fighters,” Verner said. “We know that they’re going to bring their big guns and try to sock us in the face, punch us in the gut and we’re just going to try to counter punch and get them. We just got to be physical at the point and not be afraid. Just go up there and hit.”

Franklin, Moore visit injured Stafon Johnson

On Monday, Franklin and sophomore safety Rahim Moore visited USC running back Stafon Johnson, who was rushed to the hospital earlier that day for emergency throat surgery after a weight-lifting accident, at the California Hospital Medical Center. Both Franklin and Moore were teammates with Johnson for two years at Dorsey High School.

Franklin said he spoke with Johnson’s mother and other family members and said he is trying to remain optimistic.

“It’s sad what happened but in the end it can be a blessing for him as well, so you’ve just got to look at it like that,” Franklin said. “Hopefully he can get his year back and just be the dominating running back he is. This game right here, I’m going to play for him.”

Hokey Pokey?

As Neuheisel was meeting with the team at the conclusion of practice, he signaled for a song to be played over the loud speaker at Spaulding Field.

The song? The “Hokey Pokey.”

Neuheisel said it was to remind the players to attend class and not be “Rollie Pollies.”

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