Thanks again Dmitri! It sounds like we may have a few nuggets to watch. Rotations? Could it be the pairs aren't conditioned enough to withstand back to back quarters? That's on the coaching staff.
Agree that the pounding got to McCall by the 4th quarter; up until then he was moving the ball methodically down the field, aided by the usual “why would we want to play the ball “ technique used by the Bruin DBs. Also agree that a Sturdivant/Ford tandem at the wide outs could be a deadly combination that would really open up the entire offense; the difference between them and the players behind them is pretty dramatic, and we can only hope the new, friendlier Chip resists the urge to give everybody a chance and puts his best players on the field as often as possible.
Finally…while the Bruins had a little better grip on this game, couldn’t help but think back to last year’s South Alabama game when the CCU coach decided to try a 55 yard FG on 4th and 2 late in the third quarter, as his offense continued to move efficiently down the field against the Bruin defense…not as ugly as that fake FG that South Alabama tried, but close. Sometimes it’s clear why some coaches, as well as players, are at a higher level.
I was wondering if you were going to address the penalties in this game. What stood out to me was far too many flags on our O-Line and an incredibly stupid personal foul on our special teams. That would lower the overall grade for me to a C+.
I actually wasn't that concerned with the penalties in this game. I think you're referring to the defensive line with the flags (offensive line was only flagged once officially and had a hold declined) and while the offsides were pretty bad, it does seem to be a result of trying to be too aggressive.
As for the personal foul, I will note this was the only time UCLA retaliated. Coastal Carolina was clearly playing with an edge and was trying to bait UCLA into the mud, but the Bruins generally ignored that. So overall, not a big deal for me, and things that can be cleaned up.
Yeah, I was thinking offsides and defense line, then conflated it to offensive line LOL When it's obvious that opposing team is chirping and trying to get us to retaliate, it's the coaches' jobs to get in our players' heads and ensure we do not retaliate, no matter what. So even one retaliation is one too many for me. Every sports fan knows that refs never see the first punch, but always see the retaliation.
Could stuff Dimitri. Lined up with what I saw watching the game, and probably the reason I decided not to go.
Chris Osgood at BRO talked about the play calling “arrogance” and I have to agree with him. It’s been like that since the Oregon days...and I remember that earned Chip an embarrassing loss to Boise State and an even more embarrassing fight breaking out afterwards (even though that was on LeGarrette Blount).
Like they say, the more you .... around, the more you’re gonna find out. You think he would have learned that by now.
Off-topic and rather late in bringing this up, but Myles Jack retired 2 weeks ago during the Eagles preseason. 7 years in the NFL, 2nd team All-Pro in 2020, led his teams in tackles the last 2 seasons, and overall, had a solid pro career despite being labeled as damaged goods after getting injured in his junior season at UCLA.
IMO, Myles Jack is in my all-time top 10 favorite Bruins football player list. Watching him punish opposing players on both sides of the ball was a thing of beauty. He was a special player and a great Bruin.
Best of luck, Myles. Should you ever want to coach, come on back home.
Thanks again Dmitri! It sounds like we may have a few nuggets to watch. Rotations? Could it be the pairs aren't conditioned enough to withstand back to back quarters? That's on the coaching staff.
Go Bruins!
Agree that the pounding got to McCall by the 4th quarter; up until then he was moving the ball methodically down the field, aided by the usual “why would we want to play the ball “ technique used by the Bruin DBs. Also agree that a Sturdivant/Ford tandem at the wide outs could be a deadly combination that would really open up the entire offense; the difference between them and the players behind them is pretty dramatic, and we can only hope the new, friendlier Chip resists the urge to give everybody a chance and puts his best players on the field as often as possible.
Finally…while the Bruins had a little better grip on this game, couldn’t help but think back to last year’s South Alabama game when the CCU coach decided to try a 55 yard FG on 4th and 2 late in the third quarter, as his offense continued to move efficiently down the field against the Bruin defense…not as ugly as that fake FG that South Alabama tried, but close. Sometimes it’s clear why some coaches, as well as players, are at a higher level.
I actually didn’t have an issue with that field goal. The kicker clearly had the leg and tracked pretty well, just got the angle slightly off.
I was wondering if you were going to address the penalties in this game. What stood out to me was far too many flags on our O-Line and an incredibly stupid personal foul on our special teams. That would lower the overall grade for me to a C+.
I actually wasn't that concerned with the penalties in this game. I think you're referring to the defensive line with the flags (offensive line was only flagged once officially and had a hold declined) and while the offsides were pretty bad, it does seem to be a result of trying to be too aggressive.
As for the personal foul, I will note this was the only time UCLA retaliated. Coastal Carolina was clearly playing with an edge and was trying to bait UCLA into the mud, but the Bruins generally ignored that. So overall, not a big deal for me, and things that can be cleaned up.
Yeah, I was thinking offsides and defense line, then conflated it to offensive line LOL When it's obvious that opposing team is chirping and trying to get us to retaliate, it's the coaches' jobs to get in our players' heads and ensure we do not retaliate, no matter what. So even one retaliation is one too many for me. Every sports fan knows that refs never see the first punch, but always see the retaliation.
Could stuff Dimitri. Lined up with what I saw watching the game, and probably the reason I decided not to go.
Chris Osgood at BRO talked about the play calling “arrogance” and I have to agree with him. It’s been like that since the Oregon days...and I remember that earned Chip an embarrassing loss to Boise State and an even more embarrassing fight breaking out afterwards (even though that was on LeGarrette Blount).
Like they say, the more you .... around, the more you’re gonna find out. You think he would have learned that by now.
Off-topic and rather late in bringing this up, but Myles Jack retired 2 weeks ago during the Eagles preseason. 7 years in the NFL, 2nd team All-Pro in 2020, led his teams in tackles the last 2 seasons, and overall, had a solid pro career despite being labeled as damaged goods after getting injured in his junior season at UCLA.
IMO, Myles Jack is in my all-time top 10 favorite Bruins football player list. Watching him punish opposing players on both sides of the ball was a thing of beauty. He was a special player and a great Bruin.
Best of luck, Myles. Should you ever want to coach, come on back home.
I agree, I've lost all interest in Kelly. Last year the schedule favored a 10 win season. This year looks much the same. We'll see.