LOS ANGELES - Offense 14, Defense 9.
It may not be the 13-9 score still talked about around Westwood - UCLA's 2006 victory over USC - but it did allow the Bruins' first and second offenses to claim victory in a scrimmage Saturday. Still, it also confirmed some suppositions about the 2008 Bruins' strengths and weaknesses.
The glass-half-full view was that the Bruins' defense can put points on the scoreboard. The glass-half-empty view was the offense seemed just as capable of keeping points off the scoreboard.
Coach Rick Neuheisel said he "saw enough good things from the offense," though he also saw other things that were disturbing.
"Defensively I thought we did a great job against the run early," Neuheisel said. "Offensively, that raises nervousness in terms of being able to run. Obviously, given where we are with the offensive line and an inexperienced quarterback, you like to not put all the pressure on the throwing game. It was a huge deal for us to find a way to run the ball with some consistency going into the Tennessee game," the season opener Sept. 1.
Aundre Dean gained 15 yards in five carries. Raymond Carter had one yard in six carries. Kahlil Bell, who played only the first series, lost two yards on his only carry.
Asked what he thought about the running game, Neuheisel said, "Not much. It was not what it needs to be. We're not necessarily game planning out there (in a scrimmage). Sometimes when the defense was stacked [in the] box, we'd throw the ball."
Of course, Neuheisel added, "If we're going to do that, we have to be competent enough to catch the pass and not turn it over."
Twice receivers had passes bounce off their hands for interceptions. One, a quick pass to Ryan Graves, wound up in the hands of linebacker Kyle Bosworth, who went 24 yards for a touchdown.
That gave the defense a 9-0 lead. The offense finally scored, after being given the ball on the opposing 24-yard line. Quarterback Kevin Craft ran 14 yards through a defense that was not allowed to hit the quarterbacks.
Offensive coordinator Norm Chow noted that the offense was without a few key players and that he didn't allow his quarterbacks to call audibles.
Still, the Bruins-by-the-numbers seemed to add up to concern: eight sacks, four interceptions, two blocked field goals, one safety, one fumble.
"This is not a game that you evaluate personnel, this is a game where we make sure we get plays run and make sure we get ready to go," Chow said. "We don't play UCLA, you've got to keep that in mind. UCLA is not on our schedule. We wanted to run plays and get out of that thing."
Crafting a quarterback: Craft did nothing to lose his hold on the No. 1 quarterback spot. But consistency remains an issue.
Craft threw six consecutive incomplete passes at one point, followed by seven consecutive completions. That included going four for four while directing a 68-yard touchdown drive against the second-string defensive line. Craft threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Everett.
"Kevin had a couple things go south on him," Neuheisel said. "But sometimes it's important in scrimmage situations to see how guys respond to that. So I thought he passed the test of not going in the tank because it wasn't going well."
Craft was eight for 18 for 93 yards, but he also had three passes intercepted. Chris Forcier, meanwhile, was seven for 13 for 71 yards, but Neuheisel said the redshirt freshman still lacks a grasp of the offense.
"It's just like you wouldn't let your son drive until he knew all the rules, but you know he can drive someday," Neuheisel said.
Quick kicks: Bell, eight months removed from knee surgery, was held out after the first series. Neuheisel said he would limit Bell's carries the next two weeks. . . . Wide receiver Dominique Johnson sat out the scrimmage because of a sore hip. . . . Defensive end Korey Bosworth suffered a sprained ankle during the scrimmage, but Neuheisel said it was not serious.
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Comments » 30
gohawks1 writes:
Offense struggles, but the Bruins D looks formidable. Go Get 'em, Vols!
Bass_Vol_1998 writes:
first.
is Bosworth related to the boz?
Bass_Vol_1998 writes:
forget you, IP
Volomatic writes:
Its a good thing they dont play ucla cause it sounds like their offense cant score and if thats the case our secondary may end up in the enzone once or twice and our backs are alot betterthan them as for the o-line the more I hear about how bad ucla is the better I feel about our chances which were already high
just a stepping stone on our trip to the top they just dont need to think its a little step and stumble
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Their defense looks formidable against their struggling offense...that's the tough part about evaluating scrimmages. Is their defense really good or really good against their patchwork offense?
I'm sure they'll find a way to give us a game at least for a couple of quarters. I expect our depth and better athletes and better experience to allow us to pull away in the 2nd half.
marinevol writes:
If they're having trouble running the ball, that could be a very serious problem for them on Sept. 1. The running game seems to be their only chance.
richvol writes:
Eight sacks? Eight sacks? Four interceptions,two blocked field goals, a safety and a fumble. Let's hope the offense plays like they practice.
gohawks1 writes:
Heh, heh. Sorry about that, Bass.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Sounds like chatter last year. The "don't worry talk" is there already. Do you think Rick told you anything? Of course not. Its Cal talk all over again...If you recall last season, Cal struck quickly in first two minutes..and left us fighting from behind the entire game. And as it turned out, Cal was a below average team. They just landed the kayo punch in the first two minutes of the game.
TommyJack writes:
Bigfan: To be fair, Cal was decimated with injuries AFTER our game.
DennisVols writes:
UCLA should hope they do play UCLA it might be their best chance at a win. The truth in the matter is UCLA is as green as can be with all the injuries, lack of experience. What you just read came from what the reports saw on the field not what Rick told them. Just like the UT scrimmages there are reports watching every move.
UT should in no way take this team for granted but without a running game our defense will swallow this UCLA offense.
Their QB's have never started in such a big spot light as this game is going to be and fans across this country are critical of the local teams just as UT fans are. A major loss on National TV will bring the same complaints out west as it did in Knoxville last year.
This is not just UT against UCLA. We all know it is also SEC vs Pac 10. For a few years now that debate has raised as many opinions as answers. There will be many SEC fans that normally would root against UT that will be cheering for us that night because of the SEC ties.
A win is a win but I hope to see the kind of statement game we saw in '06. I want our defense scoring as well as the offense.
Keeping it real
Go Vols!!!!!
miamiVOL writes:
if we dont get at least 5 sacks vs UCLA we are in trouble, period
orangebloodgmc writes:
Maybe ucla will quckkick to keep their Defense ON the field.
Or maybe they're just poor-mouthin'.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Slurp!
MrBamSeydu writes:
I almost feel bad for UCLA. But if we somehow lose this game, I will feel even worse for Dave Clawson and CPF because this shouldn't even be close.
TENN 34 UCLA 13
cleVOLand writes:
I heard it somewhere recently that UCLA's gameplan was to scheme things to make us one dimensional. My guess is that they are going to play aggressive D (really their only stregth) and make us pass the ball. For those who think we have it make because their offense is struggling for cohesion, remember we are unproven on offense, and although we have a veteran O-line, we did struggle to run the ball at times last year.
Having said that, I think we'll kill 'em.
Go Vols!
gavol2572 writes:
could someone please pass me some koolaid because I'm still a little nervous concerning this game. I want to be confident about UCLA but maybe I'm still remembering the Cal dabacle and just need a little encouraging. So make it a 44oz guzzler. GO VOLS!!
BSweet writes:
miami-I don't think the sack count will matter as much as how many qb pressures we get. Norm could be instructing his qb to throw the ball away, which would limit our sacks. If our front line can pressure the qb, I think the defense will eat them alive.
cleVOLand-I think Crompton at qb makes it harder for teams to take away our running game. Unlike Ainge, JC can run. They may limit our rbs, but if JC lives up to hype(which I'm sure we all hope he does), then he can keep the running game alive just by being a threat himself. The defense will have to adjust and that will probably bring the RBs back into the game. I have nothing against Ainge, but I really think JC will be much more exciting to watch and better for the Vols offense. I guess I just feel that the college game is better suited for mobile QBs.
I'm excited and can't wait for the season to get here. If Clawson is really all about using his talent, I think the Vols have plenty of weapons. Arion is great at catching the ball out of the backfield and the receivers are solid. No one has stepped up as a star (yet), but they are a solid corps and I think there are some guys there who could break out. If Brandon gets cleared, we could be loaded as far as offensive weapons go. The potential is there, the question is can Clawson develop it. I really hope so.
Oenoboy writes:
Was this their first scrimmage? You cannot judge anything from this article. It's UCLA, at home, with a formidable coaching staff. If our guys walk into this game unprepared, we lose.
Personally, I feel the Vol coaching staff will have them ready and focused.
VOLS - 24
UCLA - 20
BigOrangeVol writes:
The West Coast writers have hammered UCLA; no depth, no talent and a huge wad of injuries in places that they can’t afford.
On the other hand, they have nothing to lose if they get waxed; it's what everyone expects. If it's close then it's a feather in Neuheisel 's cap. If they win then it's the biggest win for them since the USC win in '06 and Neuheisel gets an extension. (By the way, Neuheisel was their third or fourth choice as head coach - everybody turned down the job!)
If UT wins in a large way then it's no big deal because we are supposed to win. If it's close and we win then all the harpies come out of the woodwork call for Phillip's head on a platter. If we lose then the season is up for grabs and those same harpies will be sending moving vans to Maryville plus the national media will have a field day at our expense.
My gut tells me that we win this going away and look like world-beaters; we do the same to UAB and head into the Florida game with a ton of confidence.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Gen Melon 10:16- You are a beacon of sanity stayimg the course in this run-up to the beat-down of poor UCLA.
Dupree said you might need a little more Grey Goosling punch. Just let me know.
I see his cuzin is back at work for Hall's Salvage touting the $8.00 light fixtures. Like his cap.
He and Dupree favor some.
orangebloodgmc writes:
BSweet, BigOrangeVol, good thoughtful points. Crompton does give us another dimension. I would like to think we will beat them soundly, but if we just eke out a win -- on road, first game with new coaches, 1-0 whether win big or closely -- then I would be OK with that and say bring on UAB.
GoVol writes:
Anyone want my tickets? After reading this why go all the way to LA because we should kill UCLA...oh yeah, I almost forgot. We have Fulmer...that should even things up. Better go afterall.
rbut5252#220065 writes:
Here's my prediction....Tennessee 35 UCLA 10. Vols move up to the top 10 before the Florida Game.
rbut5252#220065 writes:
one other thing....GoVol....I'm very glad that we DO have Fulmer. Please name me someone who could duplicate the success over the many years that he has been at UT?
gavol2572 writes:
more koolaid please
longtimefan writes:
Tennessee gets 3 interceptions in this game. UCLA gets 165 "throwing" yards. Tennessee wins 41-20.
BigOrangeVol writes:
GoVol would rather have Majors back so we could hang on to a one-point lead from the first quarter until the 4th quarter and then get beat by a 50-yard field goal with no time on the clock.
According to Johnny, "In my opinion dadgumit, we didn't have enough fight, fight, fight or attack, attack, attack and it was too dadgum hot for blowing good snot-bubbles!"
Maybe the Fulmer-haters would be happier with what Florida, UGA, LSU and Bama went through with Ron Kook, Ray Goof, Gerry Retardo and Mike Dufose. Being an A.D. trying your best to hire the next "Great Coach" isn't an exact science and has put more of them in the unemployment line than not. You think that Foley, Dooley, Dean and Moore intentionally hired coaches that sucked?
onevolfan99 writes:
point blank we have to be prepared, injuries or not these are college athletes and we go into the game lightly we could get beat.
prediction ut 35
ucla 10 GO VOLS!
bruin_gold writes:
Vols fans,
I made an account on here just so say how it's extremely funny how bad you think UCLA is. We aren't a really bad football team. Our defense will shut your offense down! I think it's funny how you guys think you will score 40+ points against our hard-nose tackling defense. Have you forgotten that DeWayne Walker is our defensive coordinator?
Your offense can't stop us. We we have Brian Price, Brigham Harwell, Korey Bosworth, and Jess Ward on our D-line. On the secondary, we got our leader Reggie Carter, Akeem Ayers, Kyle Bosworth, and John Hale. Plus we got Alterraun Verner (CB) who is bound to get 1+ interception(s). You guys think you can break through that defense? Think again. We will put up a good fight, and I will be VERY surprised if the Vols score 20+ points.
UCLA 24, Vols 13
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