Last season, running back Maurice Drew had a freshman year in
the vein of Tyler Ebell’s first season as a Bruin. Drew was
an undersized and quick tailback who surprised a lot of people and
went on to lead the team in rushing. But now, on and off the field,
Drew will not be following in the footsteps of Ebell, who, after
two seasons with UCLA, transferred to Texas-El Paso in the
off-season. Instead, Drew will be on his own. “The whole
Tyler thing didn’t really bother me, because it wasn’t
my business,” Drew said. “We still fed off each other
(last season), and I’m kind of mad he left because he could
have just finished it out with us, but that was his choice.”
By the end of last season, the 5-foot-8, 200-pound Drew was getting
more carries than Ebell, who began the season as the starting
tailback. “(Running backs) coach Eric Bieniemy told me I
wasn’t ready at the beginning of the season,” Drew
said. “He said the best player was going to play so Tyler
started, because he was the best player at that time. Things change
throughout the season.” Drew finished the season with 582
yards and five touchdowns. Veteran running back Manuel White missed
the last half of the season with a fractured shoulder blade, an
injury he is still recovering from. As a result, Drew has placed
the burden of improving on the Bruins’ poor rushing offense
of last season squarely on his own shoulders. “I have to step
up and become a leader,” Drew said. “In spring
practice, Manny can’t go; so when we are going full pads, I
have to go in and make big plays because Manny is hurt.”
TOUGH GUY: Quarterback David Koral threw a few
interceptions in practice Tuesday, but got more attention for the
way he tried to rectify those mistakes. Koral laid hard hits on
cornerback Trey Brown and linebacker Tim Warfield after both
intercepted the junior-transfer quarterback. “I was just
pissed off I threw a couple bad passes and a couple picks,”
Koral said. “I guess it’s one way to take out my
aggression, but I need to hold myself to be better than
that.”
INJURY UPDATE: Defensive end Kevin Harbour
sustained an injury Tuesday that coach Karl Dorrell believes to be
a hyperextended knee. Harbour will undergo an MRI for what appears
to be a minor injury.