While the Bruins� pass protection looked up to
par last weekend against Utah, the run game stalled, leaving
questions about the offensive line�s ability to
create space for the team�s running backs. Gaining
just over 100 yards on the ground at an average of 2.6 yards per
carry, head coach Karl Dorrell knows that he will need more
production from that area if the team hopes to remain successful.
�It didn�t show up, in my
opinion,� Dorrell said of the run game against
Utah. �We knew that this was a very good defensive
front, but we just did not execute to our capabilities. We have a
great deal of expectations offensively and part of that is creating
balance. That is something we are going to work on particularly
this week, because we know what the potential of our offensive run
game can be.� Although top running backs Chris
Markey and Kahlil Bell were held to 35 yards apiece, members of the
offensive line feel that their performance against the Utes was not
missing anything in particular, and that they just need to make
slight adjustments to get the running game back on track.
�We were pushing them off of the line
easily,� junior guard Shannon Tevaga said.
�We just had some bad reads or some of us would
hit the wrong backer or lineman. They did some stuff to stop our
run, but we were still pushing them off of the
line.�
McNEAL RETURNS: Redshirt senior Eric McNeal has
been cleared to play against Rice after a mishap with a spring
class left the linebacker ineligible for the home opener last
weekend. �He�s got all of his
work in and it�s been assigned, and he has a
passing grade,� Dorrell said. McNeal was having
trouble contacting a professor who was overseas regarding a paper
the professor apparently never received for a final during spring
quarter.
WARE ON THE MEND: Redshirt freshman Aaron Ware,
who suffered a concussion last week, was still recovering from the
effects of his injury on Tuesday, which kept him out of practice.
The coaching staff is still hopeful that the safety will be able to
play this weekend against Rice. �Aaron is
fine,� Dorrell said.
�He�s still going through some
headaches, so we�ll just have to take that day by
day. … The likelihood is that he�ll be ready to
play, but that was not the case today in
practice.�
MARKEY ON SPECIAL TEAMS: Dorrell confirmed that
Chris Markey will be the team�s primary punt
returner as they try to find someone to take his place.
�We�re still looking at some
people,� Dorrell said. �Chris
Markey is there as a safety valve. We�re going to
get Terrence Austin some reps back there. Marcus Everett is also
working back there; we�re going to give him an
opportunity in practice.� Markey returned two
punts last week for a total of nine yards