UCLA sophomore quarterback Matt Moore was sacked eight
times in the Bruins’ 21-14 loss to Stanford on Saturday.
While all those sacks did not make Moore look good, UCLA coach Karl
Dorrell said many of the sacks rest on the shoulders of the
offensive line. So, even though backup Drew Olson was inserted at
the quarterback position in the fourth quarter of the loss, Moore
retains his starting job. The offensive line, however, does have
some work to do. Dorrell said the offensive line needs to work on
its communication and identifying defensive schemes. “The
issue is not necessarily the quarterback making the right calls at
the line of scrimmage, but the offensive line adjusting to a
particular look,” Dorrell said. “And it causes
confusion when two guys don’t get the same look and then you
have two lineman covering the same guy.” The offensive line
lacks the experience that UCLA displays in other areas. Freshman
right guard Kevin Brown moved to the offensive line in the middle
of the season, and starting center Robert Chai is a freshman as
well. Junior left guard Eyoseph Efseaff is the line’s most
experienced player. At the line of scrimmage, Moore is allowed to
call an audible if he picks up a blitz, although junior wide
receiver Craig Bragg said that not many audibles were called on
Saturday. “They were blitzing inside, outside and
everywhere,” Dorrell said. “They did a nice job with
creating some confusion. It rests on the coaching staff’s
shoulders to help (the offensive line) communicate.”
BURGESS SUSPENDED: Dorrell announced Monday that redshirt
freshman linebacker Xavier Burgess has been suspended indefinitely
for violating team rules. Burgess was arrested last Monday after
allegedly threatening a UCLA parking enforcement officer. He faces
misdemeanor charges. If convicted, Burgess could see a maximum of
three years in prison. “We have had actions in the past that
have merited disciplinary actions, and this is the third event on
my watch,” Dorrell said. “Xavier has got some issues he
has to deal with, and it’s a point where we won’t take
things lightly. The team knows where I am coming from.”
Sophomore quarterback John Sciarra and sophomore cornerback Marcus
Cassel each received one-game suspensions after being arrested
earlier this season in unrelated events.
SOMETHING TO BRAGG ABOUT: With six catches against Stanford,
Bragg now has 50 receptions on the season. Bragg is the first
player in UCLA history to have at least 50 catches in two
different seasons. Bragg’s 134 career receptions ranks
sixth on UCLA’s all-time receptions list.
INJURY UPDATE: Junior cornerback Matt Ware’s condition
improved over the weekend as he continues to recover from a high
ankle sprain. Dorrell said Ware will try to practice today, and his
condition will be evaluated after practice. Senior defensive end
Mat Ball only played a few series against Stanford due to a lower
back strain that continues to give him problems. Ball was X-rayed
today, and his condition is still being evaluated. Dorrell said the
strain is limiting Ball from performing certain position-required
movements. Senior defensive tackle Rodney Leisle is also recovering
from a high ankle sprain, but he is not likely to play this
week.