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If the recent fall scrimmage that was held at Drake Stadium on the UCLA campus was any indication, the Bruin football team could surprise some people this year – if their offensive line can stay in one piece.
This was particularly the case with the offense and the kickoff return team, as the scrimmage began with both Josh Smith and Damien Thigpen returning kickoffs for touchdowns; Smith’s TD went for 1o3 yards.
With starting quarterback Kevin Prince being held out due to an injury, Richard Brehaut stepped in to take the majority of the snaps, and he did not disappoint as he completed 11 of 16 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns, one of them a 35-yard strike to Randall Carroll.
Brehaut clearly showed that if Prince cannot go in the Bruins’ opener against Kansas State on Sept. 4th, UCLA will be more than OK at quarterback.
Head coach Rick Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow had to be pleased with the execution of the new “pistol” offense, as it accounted for 34 points. True freshman Malcolm Jones was impressive at running back as he broke off several good runs for first downs; being that he’s a National Gatorade High School Player of the Year, it’s evident that he will get playing time this year.
UCLA’s defense, while giving up a total of four touchdown passes, had some good moments as it forced two fumbles and intercepted two passes.
Kai Forbath was his usual All-American self as he kicked two field goals, one from 42 yards out. If the Bruins are close in their games, they will have a very good chance of winning them because of this Lou Groza Award winner.
A big concern coming out of the scrimmage was the offense committing five penalties, including four false starts on the o-line, for 30 yards.
The devastating blow, however, was center Kai Maiava going down with a broken ankle after the third play. He will have surgery and miss the upcoming season, which is a “tremendous loss”, according to tackle Micah Kia. As Maiava was a team leader, it will be a big challenge for the Bruins to overcome.
All told, despite Maiava’s injury it was a promising day for UCLA as the Bruins showed their potential of what kind of season they could have; if they can translate that into wins,who knows? Maybe they can prove all the naysayers who have UCLA finishing in 8th place in the Pac-10 Conference wrong.
Provided that they don’t suffer anymore significant injuries.
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