UCLA football buckles under recurring problems in O-line

Coach Jim Mora turned up the music on the loudspeakers. He tinkered with the order of the practice schedule. He told the referees to be nitpicky with their calls during scrimmages.

All of these were planned efforts to fluster and disorient the UCLA players in Saturday morning’s practice. And, for the most part, they worked.

The UCLA offensive line once again showed cracks, folding under the pressure and committing several false starts. The O-line also allowed rising sophomore quarterback Josh Rosen to be sacked or hurried multiple times by the first-team defense – another issue that has manifested itself throughout the spring.

“When they get tired – which you want them to get – they have to be able to maintain a focus,” Mora said. “And that’s why we apply the pressure – so we can get it corrected out here and it doesn’t happen in games.”

The problem area of UCLA’s offensive line Saturday was the interior. That’s where the Bruins are in a state of flux right now, as the starters at left guard, center and right guard are all different from who they were last season. Both of the starters on the outside of the offensive line – rising redshirt senior left tackle Conor McDermott and rising redshirt sophomore right tackle Kolton Miller – saw starting time at that same position last year.

“We’re incorporating new interior guys (on the offensive line), and that’s not always easy,” Mora said. “I felt great (about the interior guys) on Thursday. Today, I didn’t feel quite as great.”

Mora said he’s optimistic that the offensive line will get things figured out by the fall. By then, the unit will be joined by graduate transfer Jake Raulerson from Texas.

With Raulerson likely playing center, rising redshirt senior Scott Quessenberry will be able to move back to his more natural position at guard. Meanwhile, rising redshirt junior Kenny Lacy will be able to move from right guard back to left guard – his starting position from last season.

“There are some growing pains there,” Mora said. “But I think it will be a good group once we get to the fall, and they work through some of the things.”

Defense shines

The UCLA defense has stood out over the past week, winning several of the 11-on-11 battles with the offense. On Saturday, the pass rush was particularly dominant, producing back-to-back sacks at one point.

Rising senior rush ends Deon Hollins and Takkarist McKinley, as well as rising sophomore rush end Keisean Lucier-South, were particularly effective in rushing the quarterback.

“Takk McKinley going against Conor McDermott – you know, those are two very good football players that are going after it play after play after play,” Mora said. “And you see improvement. They’re going to force each other to improve.”

In the secondary, rising redshirt sophomore cornerback Denzel Fisher snatched an impressive interception while defending rising redshirt senior wide receiver Kenny Walker on a fly route. Fisher didn’t bite on the play-action fake, staying stride for stride with Walker all the way down the field.

UCLA’s run defense – which was a point of concern all throughout last year – showed some improvement Saturday. Rising junior linebacker Kenny Young stood out, getting into the backfield a couple of times for the tackle.

Injury update

Rising redshirt senior safety Randall Goforth and rising sophomore wide receiver Cordell Broadus were both sidelined Saturday, riding the stationary bikes. Mora did not comment on their injuries after practice.

Incoming freshman Mique Juarez missed his second straight practice Saturday with a neck and head injury, which he sustained in Tuesday’s practice. Juarez is expected to be back with the team Monday, Mora said, but his return to full practice is still on hold.

“We are going to proceed with extreme caution,” Mora said. “Anytime a brain injury is involved – at any level – whether it’s minor or it’s very significant, we’re going to treat it the same.”

Rising redshirt senior running back Steven Manfro, who was recently ruled out for the 2016 season with shoulder injuries, is not taking a medical retirement, Mora said.

“He has decided that he’s going to finish his career,” Mora said. “It’s not a medical retirement, he’s just going to graduate. And we wish him the best and thank him for everything he did.”

Editor’s Note: Players’ years are referred to with “rising” to indicate their standing in the upcoming fall season.