In a surprise move, UCLA football head coach Karl Dorrell took
his players to the Rose Bowl last Thursday to run through a game
simulation. So impressed with the team and its performance, Dorrell
allowed the Bruins to end their fall training camp two days early.
“It was a night and day difference from last year,”
Dorrell said. “We’re just so much further ahead in the
process of camp, in terms of what things offensively we put in by
such an early portion of camp. And same thing defensively.”
The day went so well for the team, even practice ended early on
Thursday. While the Bruins are still not the polished and detailed
team Dorrell expects to field for Saturday’s home opener
against Oklahoma State, the team has already shown vast
improvements during August. On offense, the team has demonstrated a
much more cohesive look, with the players finally acclimating
themselves with the West Coast Offense. As a result, the players
are beginning to get more comfortable with each other on and off
the field. “Last year we had a team feeling but it
wasn’t as strong as this,” tailback Maurice Drew said
after UCLA’s scrimmage last week. “Everyone is starting
to fight for each other and protect each other and the offense
spends more time together.” On the defensive side, the Bruins
are still trying to recover from injuries. Dorrell announced
Saturday that linebacker Justin London will probably not play in
the season opener, with his high ankle sprain keeping him from
participating in practices. With London’s potential absence,
the defense will look to linebacker Spencer Havner and safety
Jarrad Page to be its anchor. Both players have been impressive
throughout camp, and with the entire defensive line lacking any
veteran experience, they will need to step up as leaders. But with
less than a week before the game against Oklahoma State, Dorrell is
happy with the team’s progress. “Between now and a week
from today we have to sharpen up with some crispness and getting
our legs back,” Dorrell said Thursday. “But I was
really encouraged today. They locked in and I was like,
“˜Whoa.’ We’re close to where we need to be. We
just need some rest and get ourselves ready to go.” Though
the players were allowed to go home Thursday, they still had their
last two-a-day practice on Friday along with a light workout
Saturday morning. Sunday they enjoyed their first day off, giving
them time to heal from the bumps and bruises incurred throughout
camp.
DEPTH CHART: While Dorrell is still solidifying
the depth chart for Saturday’s game, which will be released
later today, he did announce that junior Robert Cleary will start
at weakside offensive guard over sophomore Robert Chai. Dorrell
also said that junior Marcus Cassel had won the battle over junior
Nnamdi Ohaeri and will start at cornerback opposite Matt Clark.
INJURY REPORT: Though no longer needing
crutches or a boot, junior linebacker Justin London is still not
ready to start practicing, and will likely not be in the lineup
Saturday. Also on the injured list will be senior guard Eyoseph
Efseaff, who reinjured his groin during Friday’s practice.
Defensive ends Brigham Harwell and Kyle Morgan, who both underwent
arthroscopic knee surgery to repair torn cartilage, have begun
practicing and are anticipated to play Saturday, giving added depth
at that position, however, they are not projected to start.
“They will be the guys that rotate in and provide us some
depth,” Dorrell said Saturday. “Like I’ve said
all along, we’re going to play a lot of guys on the defensive
line. But it will be good to have some of our better guys in that
type of rotation.” Senior linebacker Tim Warfield tweaked his
hyper-extended knee Saturday, but is expected to play next
weekend.
TV TIME: The Southern California Sports Report
will be broadcasting live from campus Thursday. They will be at the
Bruin Bear statue in front of Ackerman Union at 10 p.m. Students
are invited to come watch.