This loss doesn’t project well at all
The aftermath of the 59-0 shellacking Brigham Young laid on UCLA on Saturday had Bruins coaches poring over the film while trying to prop up their players’ psyches Sunday.
That will require a detailed review of the horror film -- for the Bruins -- that was shot in Provo, Utah. It will provide players, and coaches, a to-do list that must be at least partially handled before Saturday’s game against Arizona.
“When you take a tail-whipping like we took, the first thing you want to do is throw away the tape,” Coach Rick Neuheisel said. “The second thing is to analyze it ad nauseam because you have to fix it.
“So we will spend more time on tape and more time on the players, not berating, but in teaching mode. The coaches will evaluate themselves, in terms asking, ‘Are we asking more and expect more in terms of schemes?’ ”
One thing the coaches will continue to ask is that the Bruins try to run the ball. UCLA has 38 yards rushing, averaging 0.8 yards a carry, in two games.
“We have to control the game,” Neuheisel said. “We can’t have our defense out there for 80 plays.”
The running game’s situation took a turn for the worse Saturday, as center Micah Reed suffered a strained medial collateral ligament in his right knee and will miss at least one game. Jake Dean will take over the center spot, with tackle Nick Ekbatani and Jess Ward, a defensive tackle a month ago, as the backups.
Neuheisel said the coaches might also look at using different backs, though injuries may limit their options. Starting tailback Kahlil Bell (high ankle sprain) ran Sunday, and Neuheisel said, “Based on what I saw, I’m optimistic. But that was running in a straight line.”
The Bruins are also unsure about the status of tailbacks Raymond Carter (bruised right knee) and Aundre Dean (sprained right ankle). Both are listed as day-to-day.
The offensive line will also undergo another reevaluation, but Neuheisel said, “We can’t just keep pointing to problems. We have to find solutions.”
Injury report
Linebacker Kyle Bosworth is expected to sit out this week’s game because of a sprained left knee, suffered early in the BYU game.
Defensive tackle Jerzy Siewierski suffered a sprained neck and is listed as day-to-day.
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UP NEXT
Saturday vs. Arizona (2-1)
Rose Bowl, noon, FSN
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