UCLA looks for big improvements in Week 2 against Memphis

UCLA underwhelmed in its season opener last week.

Sure, the Bruins beat Virginia, 28-20, but needed three defensive touchdowns to do it. After a week of tinkering, UCLA will try to show some offensive consistency against Memphis in the Rose Bowl tonight at 7 o’clock.

“We did a lot of positive things, we just had to fix the negative things,” quarterback Brett Hundley said of the performance against Virginia. “Nothing is ever going to be perfect. We’ve just got to take care of some small things.”

The Bruins’ offensive line play was hardly a small thing, and it was far from perfect. UCLA had five false start penalties and gave up five sacks.

UCLA could be without center Jake Brendel, leaving the line with three sophomores and a first-year freshman. Still, offensive line coach Adrian Klemm expects a significant improvement.

“We have to take things from the practice field to the game,” Klemm said. “Guys have to be mature. When you get out there, it doesn’t matter what your age is, what matters is you stay composed.”

Hundley managed to do that last week.

“I definitely saw maturity in him,” offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone said. “He had been getting pressured the whole game, getting hit. He stood in there and made the throws.”