While much of the talk entering UCLA’s Thursday tilt with Oregon has surrounded the Ducks’ flock of electric playmakers, the Bruins will need all the weapons they can muster to keep pace.
Easier said than done.
With its offense already mired in inconsistency, UCLA will have to face Oregon without three of its top receiving threats. Junior receiver Nelson Rosario has yet to practice since suffering a leg injury against Washington State. Redshirt junior receiver Josh Smith and sophomore F-back Morrell Presley are both suspended for the Oregon game for a violation of team rules announced last week.
Those absences will mean major shoes to fill, especially at F-back, where Presley’s blocking ability was key to the execution of the UCLA running game. Redshirt senior Christian Ramirez and sophomore Damien Thigpen will likely see time at the position, as will freshman Anthony Barr, who injured his calf against Cal but appears ready to go.
“Anthony has looked great, so I’m very pleased with that one,” coach Rick Neuheisel said. “He’ll play a significant role in the game if he continues to be as healthy as he has been.”
Theoretically, the F-back in the pistol offense represents a hybrid run-blocker and pass-catcher. But in the Bruins’ run-oriented system, the former has far outweighed the latter.
“I expected to catch more passes,” Barr said. “But the running game has been so successful that I’ve needed to block more. That’s what I’ve got to do to help the team and I’ve accepted that role.”
Minus Rosario and Smith, the Bruins’ passing game will rely heavily on junior Taylor Embree and redshirt freshman Ricky Marvray, and the F-back may be incorporated more into the aerial game because of the dearth of experienced pass-catchers.
Meanwhile, the Bruins will look to Thigpen ““ who describes himself as “agile” and “speedy” ““ to replace the dynamic Smith on kickoff returns, where the suspended junior thrived against Cal.
Cornerback Shuffle
As if the team needed anything else to feel down about after the Cal game, UCLA lost cornerbacks Anthony Jefferson and Shelden Price on back-to-back plays against the Bears.
While Jefferson ““ a true freshman ““ will miss the remainder of the season and thus retain his redshirt status, the hope was that Price would be ready to go in time to face the Ducks. But Monday, Neuheisel downgraded the sophomore’s status.
“He went from questionable to doubtful,” Neuheisel said. “But we’re not ruling him out.”
Homecoming
While playing at Autzen Stadium in Eugene will be a test of fortitude, the environment won’t exactly be a foreign one for one Bruin.
Freshman defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa ““ recently promoted into the starting lineup ““ hails from Portland. On signing day last spring, Odighizuwa’s decision aired on ESPNU from his Portland high school. He chose UCLA over Oregon State and Nebraska.
With reports from Eli Smukler, Bruin Sports senior staff.