One small sign of improvement in the UCLA football team has
barely been mentioned this season, and it’s buried deep
within the conference statistics. This season, the Bruins have made
a complete turnaround in penalties committed. Last season, UCLA
ranked near the bottom of the Pac-10, racking up almost 1,000 yards
off 109 individual penalties. This season, UCLA sits atop the
Pac-10 in fewest yards penalized, only committing 43.4 yards per
game, which is 30 fewer than last season. “I think it’s
everybody and coach (Karl) Dorrell has done a good job with the
entire team demanding a more disciplined style of play, so whether
it’s offense, defense or special teams, everybody has a hand
in it,” offensive coordinator Tom Cable said.
“You’re not going to see a bunch of knuckleheads out
there doing crazy things. It hurts the team.” One reoccurring
theme for the Bruins has been turning the tide. For a Bruin team
that went 6-7 last season, this new attention to detail is just
another important notch in their effort to show they have indeed
turned the corner. So far, UCLA ranks 11th nationally with just 46
penalties for 347 yards. Dorrell said in a press conference earlier
this week that last season’s high penalty total was a concern
for them, so they tried to work on it during the off-season. But
more than anything, players have all attributed the decrease in
penalties to becoming comfortable with each other. “I think
we’re more focused, and what we do on the field comes more
naturally now,” quarterback Drew Olson said. The lack of
penalties is especially poignant in this week’s game against
Washington State. Last season during their loss in Pullman, the
Bruins compiled over 109 yards off 12 penalties. UCLA hopes to dash
all memories of last year and looks to continue its new trend when
they face the Cougars on Saturday. “We’re more
experienced,” starting center Mike McCloskey said.
“Getting out there with the experience, you get exactly what
the refs call and what they don’t call.”
CENTER STAGE: McCloskey is still questionable
for Saturday’s game against Washington State. After taking a
knee to the head last weekend, McCloskey has suffered serious
headaches all week and has been held out of practice. Doctors think
it is a mild concussion. Dorrell said a decision would not be
likely until Friday.
FAN FARE: Today SBC Communications will be on
campus as part of their College Football Connection Tour that hosts
a variety of interactive features. The trailer will be set up from
10 a.m. until 3 p.m. In addition, they will travel to the Rose Bowl
on Saturday, where fans can meet former Bruin great J.J.
Stokes.