To college football fans, the start of this season may seem like it’s taken years to get here. To UCLA’s Owamagbe Odighizuwa, it really has been that long.
The redshirt senior defensive lineman last played in the 2012 Holiday Bowl, missing all of last year due to a hip injury. By the time he finally returns to live-game action this Saturday against Virginia, it will have been 612 days since his last snap.
Unsurprisingly, the edge rusher is eager for the season to finally get going.
“I’ve waited long enough,” Odighizuwa said. “(I’ve) put everything behind me. At this point, I’m just ready to play. Not (nervous) at all, I’m just excited.”
And the Bruins have plenty to be excited about beyond the return of their starting defensive end. The team enters Saturday with its highest preseason ranking since 1998, a possible Heisman trophy candidate and national championship aspirations.
But before they can worry about that, the Bruins have turned their attention to the Cavaliers team they’ll be facing.
Virginia enters the season with uncertainty at quarterback. Junior David Watford, a bit of a dual threat, struggled as the starter last year, throwing nearly twice as many interceptions (15) as touchdowns (8). He is challenged by sophomore Greyson Lambert, who is more of a prototypical pocket passer. Though Lambert was listed at the top of the depth chart released by Virginia coach Mike London earlier this week, the Bruins have said they are prepping for either player.
What is clear about Virginia’s offense is the strength it has at running back. Multiple UCLA defenders, redshirt senior linebacker Eric Kendricks included, have praised Virginia’s ground game led by senior Kevin Parks, a 1,000 yard rusher from a year ago.
“They run hard downhill, and they’re a little bit shifty. So anytime you have those three combinations, you’re dealing with a challenge,” Kendricks said. “We’ll see a lot of skill, a lot of zone, a lot of power. … So (we’ve) got to stop it.”
Key to doing that will be nose tackle Kenny Clark. The sophomore came on strong at the end of last year, earning the starting spot in the middle of the Bruins’ defensive line in the team’s final few games.
This year, under first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, Clark’s role has expanded. He now shades over the offensive lineman’s shoulder at times, as opposed to heads-up, allowing him to play in space and make more plays. The sophomore seems to have built on his freshman campaign, looking particularly strong during the team’s fall camp. Now, he is excited to put into practice, well, practice.
“I’m just excited to be playing a game, period,” Clark said. “Been waiting so long, worked so hard this offseason, just excited to go out there and showcase my talents.
Or, as coach Jim Mora put it: “It’s time to play somebody else.”
Injury Report: Brendel’s status still uncertain
Following Wednesday’s practice, UCLA offensive line coach Adrian Klemm described center Jake Brendel’s status as “day-to-day,” but added that the redshirt junior is recovering as expected from a knee sprain he suffered during the second week of the team’s stay in San Bernardino.
If Brendel is unable to go Saturday against Virginia, UCLA loses a player who has started at center for every game over the past two seasons. And it remains to be seen who will take his spot.
Sophomore guard Alex Redmond worked in at center following Brendel’s injury, while sophomore offensive lineman Scott Quessenberry also saw time there in fall camp and can play the spot. No matter who’s in come game day, Klemm, who trains his players to be able to play multiple spots for just such an occasion, expects his offensive line to be ready.
“It’s all about the more you can do,” Klemm said. “Just get ready to go when you’re time comes, don’t get hung up so much on what position you’re playing so much as the opportunity to play. And do the best you can when you get out there.”