UCLA football players had much to say this week as they prepared for a crucial Pac-10 match against rival California. Here are a few quotes:
Senior cornerback Alterraun Verner on Cal:
“Cal is a good team and there’s a lot of tradition between us,” he said. “But they’re basically just targets that are in the way right now.”
Coach Rick Neuheisel on the availability of running back Christian Ramirez, who was pegged as the team’s starter before the season:
“We had high hopes for him,” Neuheisel said. “We thought of him as the starter coming into the fall but he’s been nicked. Saw some good things from him last week, so I’m not afraid to put him in there.”
Sophomore offensive lineman Jeff Baca on what UCLA needs to do against Cal:
“We’re going to have to be physical with them and establish the run,” Baca said. “That’s going to be the key to the game.”
Redshirt freshman running back Johnathan Franklin on the offense’s struggles:
“We still have a lot learning to do and a lot of growing up to do,” Franklin said. “But we can be good, man. We’re young and we love the game of football. We want to win, we want to make plays and definitely want to turn this thing around. We can be real explosive.”
Franklin on his role in the offense:
“I want 30 carries,” Franklin said. “I’m always hungry for the ball. It’s coming, I’ve just got to wait my time.”
Redshirt freshman quarterback Kevin Prince on his rhythm this week:
“It’s so much better than it was last week,” Prince said. “I just felt rushed into things (last week). I felt like I played a decent first half. I was rushing things and forcing things. It was good to see exactly how I reacted to those situations, so I know how to not react in the future.”