UCLA Undefeated, But Tougher Challenges Await
Bruins Will Carry 3-0 Record into Pac-10 Football Play
Sep 24, 2009
UCLA has won its first three games of the 2009 season, which might not be a major accomplishment to some. But the Bruins did that just once over the previous seven years. That came in 2005, when coach Karl Dorrell's team started 8-0 en route to a 10-2 campaign.
Dorrell's long gone, and Rick Neuheisel's in his second year as Bruins head coach. After a 4-8 campaign in 2008, the Bruins are raising some eyebrows with their successful start this season.
But they're only raising a few eyebrows. Their season-opening 33-14 victory over San Diego State was decidedly ordinary. They followed with an impressive but hardly flashy 19-15 triumph at Tennessee the second week, then stopped Kansas State 23-9 at home last week.
It's been enough to gain the Bruins some votes in the AP Top 25 poll, but apparently they're going to have to do more to get the college football world excited. That could come over the next three weeks.
The Bruins, who have a bye this weekend, will return to the field Oct. 3 at Stanford in a Pac-10 opener. Then UCLA plays host to Oregon on Oct. 10. If the Bruins get past those games unscathed, they'd be set for an Oct. 17 home showdown with No. 6 Cal.
UCLA's Pick-Happy Defense Rates High
The Bruins might not have played any offensive powerhouses yet, but it's hard to argue with the results thus far. They're giving up just 12.7 points per game.
UCLA's ranked 16th nationally in total defense, allowing just 251 yards per game. The Bruins also boast the No. 14 run defense, yielding only 74.3 yards a contest.
The Bruins' pass defense has been opportunistic, coming up with eight interceptions. Safety Rahim Moore has made five picks, coming up with three against San Diego State and two more vs. Tennessee. The sophomore's also broken up four passes.
The other three interceptions have come from senior cornerback Alterraun Verner, a preseason All-American. Last season, Verner broke up 18 passes and had two interceptions in addition to ranking second on the team in tackles with 73.
Linebacker Reggie Carter is Bruins' Leading Tackler
The tackles leader last year, and so far this year, is Reggie Carter. The senior linebacker has 24 tackles in 2009, and is followed on the list by fellow linebacker Kyle Bosworth (20) and safety Tony Dye (17). Bosworth is the nephew of former Oklahoma star Brian Bosworth.
Verner has 13 tackles, and Moore and tackles Jerzy Siewierski and Brian Price have 11 apiece. Price and linebacker Akeem Ayers pace the Bruins in sacks with two apiece.
The pass rush has been a strength thus far, as the Bruins are averaging three sacks per game. Their nine sacks are among 22 tackles for losses they've made this season.
UCLA, of course, will face more formidable offenses, and will likely have to step up its play. Defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough's unit would be helped greatly by more production by the Bruins offense.
Bruins Offense Ranked 105th in Nation
UCLA's offense has been underwhelming thus far, ranking 105th of 120 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision schools with an average of 301.3 yards per game. But in fairness, the Bruins did face a stellar defense at Tennessee and a pretty good one vs. Kansas State.
The Bruins showed some progress vs. Kansas State, even with starting quarterback Kevin Prince sidelined because of a broken jaw. Freshman running back Johnathan Franklin ran for a season-high 119 yards, and senior Kevin Craft passed for 186 while filling in for Prince.
UCLA's total of 359 yards wasn't exactly eye-popping, but it was 150 more than the Bruins had vs. Tennessee. And it matched to the yard what UCLA managed against San Diego State.
UCLA Relying Heavily on Young Players
Offensive coordinator Norm Chow's unit is extremely young, with Franklin carrying the load at running back and freshman Prince calling the signals when healthy.
Franklin has run for 242 yards and two touchdowns on 52 carries. The No. 2 rusher is sophomore Derrick Coleman, who's gained 116 yards on a 6.4 average.
Prince is 29-for-52 passing for 277 yards in his two games. Prince has two touchdowns and two interceptions, while Craft has one of each.
Terrence Austin leads UCLA in receptions with nine, which have been good for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Taylor Embree has seven catches for a team-high 114 yards.
The Bruins' most consistent scorer has been kicker Kai Forbath, a preseason All-American. The junior has connected on nine of 10 field goals, booting four vs. Tennessee and three vs. Kansas State. His only miss was a 51-yarder vs. Tennessee.
Bruins Playing Second Fiddle in Los Angeles
UCLA's been the "other" college team in Los Angeles since USC rose to national prominence under coach Pete Carroll in 2002.
The Bruins did have that 10-2 campaign of 2005, but for most of the past decade, they've generally lurked around the .500 barrier. They haven't had consecutive 10-win seasons since 1997 and 1998.
It remains to be seen whether the Bruins are on the verge of a breakthrough, but there are signs of life. If nothing else, they re just one win away from matching their win total from last season. And if they keep piling them up, things just might snowball.
