The UCLA football team’s first loss of the season came against a team with an extra week to prepare, one that now finds itself in the top 10 of the Bowl Championship Series Standings and the AP Poll ““ Oregon State.
That win against the Bruins solidified the Beavers as contenders on the national stage.
Now, with a win against Utah and their own extra week of preparation ““ a bye week before Arizona State ““ UCLA is trying to do the same.
“I think it’ll give a chance for our guys to catch their breath a little bit. It’ll help them with school. When you have so many freshmen contributing and they have so much on their plate it can get overwhelming,” coach Jim Mora said.
“I think it’s good for us to take a break from the emotional part of football. We’re still going to practice hard and get better.”
Redshirt senior Johnathan Franklin, who’s still healing after getting dinged up against Cal, shares Mora’s sentiment.
“It’s great ““ we get to have a lot of guys get healthy and get a hundred percent. We have a big game coming up against Arizona State at their house,” he said.
“We’re excited, they’re a great defense and I’m looking forward to that game.”
Secondary stepping up
Against Utah, UCLA forced the first turnover of the game and capitalized on it for the first score of the day.
On second and one in Bruin territory, redshirt senior safety Andrew Abbott intercepted a tipped pass from Utah freshman quarterback Travis Wilson.
“He’s one of our captains. They respect him in the locker room. They respect him on the field,” Mora said of Abbott.
“He’s a really solid player. What he lacks in height he makes up for with football intelligence, preparation and work ethic.”
Although Abbott came up with the only interception of the game, the UCLA secondary overall had a much better game this week than against Cal.
After being repeatedly penalized and beaten by receivers in the game against the Golden Bears, the defensive backs bounced back with stronger performances against the Utes. Redshirt senior cornerback Sheldon Price cited a newfound competition at practice as the catalyst for the secondary’s play.
“It was all competition. Everybody got reps and we were competing against each other but you’re also competing against yourself and find ways to get better and help this team,” Price said.
Simon Goines update
Freshman offensive tackle Simon Goines, a mainstay and starter on the offensive line, had to take some time off in the second half against Utah after injuring his left knee.
Redshirt senior offensive guard Jeff Baca slid over from right guard to right tackle to fill his spot while redshirt junior Albert Cid came off the bench to play at right guard.
Mora said after the game that Goines would likely need an MRI but as of Sunday he was unsure if that had happened.