I’m not sure how they got a higher grade overall than Cal. I am happy you spotted and called out the lacking in adjustment during the 1st half. Once they saw passing wasn’t getting it done in the first quarter they should’ve switched the the second quarter. Just IMO
I still have the vision of Iamaleava tossing the red zone interception facing 3rd and goal from the 2-yard line in the second quarter. Shades of last year. Also I do not understand the play calling when long yardage is needed and the Bruins throw a 4 yard pass. Shades of Chip Kelly. Finally 2 games, 20 penalties for 180 yards. 134th out of 138 teams in the FBS. The defense and special teams are much improved. Past two games the team is prepared. But the elephant in the room is our quarterback play. UCLA's success this season will depend on the quarterback play.
There’s a lot of good but still plenty to improve on. I think Chesney is doing a great job and not overlooking the areas to fix. Nico is the enigma for me. The picks were bad momentum killers, but overall I think he’s been ok. The less we ask of him (or need him to do), the better this team is going to be. Really, if he can run a few times a game and throw enough to keep the defense honest, we’ll be ok. The main issue would be a slow start, trailing in a game, and needing him to throw down the field when the defense knows it’s coming. There’s also a fine line between his competitive spirit and knowing when to just take the sack and move on. I’m hoping that the pass game can develop a bit over the next couple of games - especially TE’s getting involved.
On the D, even with the tiny yardage given up to the pass, I think Dimitri is right that it’s too early to tell. I am happy to see that our secondary is at least looking back and picking up the ball in the air (where we used to just look downfield and run into the WR).
Most importantly, we have coaches that are making adjustments, and I’d say we’ve outcoached the other teams both weeks. There was an interesting interview with Chesney where he discussed the cut and thrust of the coaching battle, how both teams feel out the other to see what is actually run vs what was expected. We might be able to adjust quicker, but at least we’re doing that now.
Still trying to keep a lid on my expectations for the year, but respectability is back at least, and the energy is so different. I feel like recruiting has come so, so far from where it’s been that the future looks bright.
Focusing on the positive, it has been interesting to watch Chesney’s approach in running the team through two games. From an offensive standpoint, the line/running back rotation strategy that he has employed is against most every offensive conventional norm, in that, especially along the offensive line, it is believed you need the continuity and reps of the same 5 offensive linemen and primarily one back together, so that the line and backs can develop a rhythm to the running game for either the line or its running back to be successful…..Yet, Chesney’s approach, so far, has been wildly successful in wearing down the opposing defense in both games, with our fresh-legged O-line creating holes and our trio of Running backs running amok through the second and third levels of the opposing defenses in the 3rd and especially the 4th quarters…..
I mentioned last week that Knight seemed to be our “ace bullpen Closer, that the Dodgers have yet to find this season”……and in fact, Knight did it again in the 4th quarter against the Aztecs this past Saturday……his late-game impact of 4 touchdowns and a large chunk of his 168 total rushing yards over two 4th quarters alone have been a major reason for our 2-0 start. And in case you haven’t noticed, Knight is currently tied for the lead in all of the FBS for total touchdowns scored (6) with Memphis running back Jaylin Carter, who has compiled his scores over 3 games……my only criticism of our running game so far is including Nico in so many scripted runs……
Chesney's previous quarterback at James Madison, Alonza Barnett III, was a stocky 5’11” 215 lb running back who could throw the ball some. Based upon the admittedly small sample size of film I watched on the JMU offense after we hired Chesney, it seemed that the vast majority of his completions were to wide open receivers off of play action due to the fact that linebackers and defensive ends could not drop into coverage because Barnett III was an RPO savant and a thickly muscled, hard nosed running threat who was a big part of the overall run game. In my mind, using Nico in a similar fashion, with even 8 to 10 to scripted runs a game (as opposed to his unscripted runs out of the pocket or when a play action pass breaks down, where he can slide or run out of bounds to protect himself), given his slender frame at 6’ 5” 215 lbs, is going to result in the kind of physical attrition that will inevitably result in back ups Madden or Ty D having to take over before we get to mid-October…..Hopefully, the success of our other running backs can force defenses to stay closer to the line of scrimmage to open up holes in the secondary for Nico to throw into....IMHO the coaches need to do more to protect his physical health so he can last the season.....
Idk if someone got the email but UCLA Athletics is giving away free tickets this season for all students! Finally a decision that really is about the students and the fan base. Finally, some really proactive decisions from the admin to make sure everything is there for the team to excel. I have many times criticized admin but today I have to tip my cap of to them. Great decision- I bought my tickets to be at the RB this weekend. I hope the extra fans and a better rival and this new deal really helps the team excel and have a better atmosphere.
Harris has made student tickets free. More perks for our student body.
I’m not sure how they got a higher grade overall than Cal. I am happy you spotted and called out the lacking in adjustment during the 1st half. Once they saw passing wasn’t getting it done in the first quarter they should’ve switched the the second quarter. Just IMO
I still have the vision of Iamaleava tossing the red zone interception facing 3rd and goal from the 2-yard line in the second quarter. Shades of last year. Also I do not understand the play calling when long yardage is needed and the Bruins throw a 4 yard pass. Shades of Chip Kelly. Finally 2 games, 20 penalties for 180 yards. 134th out of 138 teams in the FBS. The defense and special teams are much improved. Past two games the team is prepared. But the elephant in the room is our quarterback play. UCLA's success this season will depend on the quarterback play.
There’s a lot of good but still plenty to improve on. I think Chesney is doing a great job and not overlooking the areas to fix. Nico is the enigma for me. The picks were bad momentum killers, but overall I think he’s been ok. The less we ask of him (or need him to do), the better this team is going to be. Really, if he can run a few times a game and throw enough to keep the defense honest, we’ll be ok. The main issue would be a slow start, trailing in a game, and needing him to throw down the field when the defense knows it’s coming. There’s also a fine line between his competitive spirit and knowing when to just take the sack and move on. I’m hoping that the pass game can develop a bit over the next couple of games - especially TE’s getting involved.
On the D, even with the tiny yardage given up to the pass, I think Dimitri is right that it’s too early to tell. I am happy to see that our secondary is at least looking back and picking up the ball in the air (where we used to just look downfield and run into the WR).
Most importantly, we have coaches that are making adjustments, and I’d say we’ve outcoached the other teams both weeks. There was an interesting interview with Chesney where he discussed the cut and thrust of the coaching battle, how both teams feel out the other to see what is actually run vs what was expected. We might be able to adjust quicker, but at least we’re doing that now.
Still trying to keep a lid on my expectations for the year, but respectability is back at least, and the energy is so different. I feel like recruiting has come so, so far from where it’s been that the future looks bright.
Focusing on the positive, it has been interesting to watch Chesney’s approach in running the team through two games. From an offensive standpoint, the line/running back rotation strategy that he has employed is against most every offensive conventional norm, in that, especially along the offensive line, it is believed you need the continuity and reps of the same 5 offensive linemen and primarily one back together, so that the line and backs can develop a rhythm to the running game for either the line or its running back to be successful…..Yet, Chesney’s approach, so far, has been wildly successful in wearing down the opposing defense in both games, with our fresh-legged O-line creating holes and our trio of Running backs running amok through the second and third levels of the opposing defenses in the 3rd and especially the 4th quarters…..
I mentioned last week that Knight seemed to be our “ace bullpen Closer, that the Dodgers have yet to find this season”……and in fact, Knight did it again in the 4th quarter against the Aztecs this past Saturday……his late-game impact of 4 touchdowns and a large chunk of his 168 total rushing yards over two 4th quarters alone have been a major reason for our 2-0 start. And in case you haven’t noticed, Knight is currently tied for the lead in all of the FBS for total touchdowns scored (6) with Memphis running back Jaylin Carter, who has compiled his scores over 3 games……my only criticism of our running game so far is including Nico in so many scripted runs……
Chesney's previous quarterback at James Madison, Alonza Barnett III, was a stocky 5’11” 215 lb running back who could throw the ball some. Based upon the admittedly small sample size of film I watched on the JMU offense after we hired Chesney, it seemed that the vast majority of his completions were to wide open receivers off of play action due to the fact that linebackers and defensive ends could not drop into coverage because Barnett III was an RPO savant and a thickly muscled, hard nosed running threat who was a big part of the overall run game. In my mind, using Nico in a similar fashion, with even 8 to 10 to scripted runs a game (as opposed to his unscripted runs out of the pocket or when a play action pass breaks down, where he can slide or run out of bounds to protect himself), given his slender frame at 6’ 5” 215 lbs, is going to result in the kind of physical attrition that will inevitably result in back ups Madden or Ty D having to take over before we get to mid-October…..Hopefully, the success of our other running backs can force defenses to stay closer to the line of scrimmage to open up holes in the secondary for Nico to throw into....IMHO the coaches need to do more to protect his physical health so he can last the season.....
Idk if someone got the email but UCLA Athletics is giving away free tickets this season for all students! Finally a decision that really is about the students and the fan base. Finally, some really proactive decisions from the admin to make sure everything is there for the team to excel. I have many times criticized admin but today I have to tip my cap of to them. Great decision- I bought my tickets to be at the RB this weekend. I hope the extra fans and a better rival and this new deal really helps the team excel and have a better atmosphere.