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UCLA’s Jim Mora says penalties are improving despite recent performance

UCLA defensive lineman Oqamagbe Odighizuwa gestures to his teammates during the first quarter of the Bruins' 40-37 double overtime win over Colorado.
UCLA defensive lineman Oqamagbe Odighizuwa gestures to his teammates during the first quarter of the Bruins’ 40-37 double overtime win over Colorado.
(David Zalubowski / Associated Press)
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One of UCLA’s biggest issues against Colorado last weekend was penalties. The Bruins racked up a season-high 14 against Colorado for 121 yards. They gave the Buffaloes first downs, field position and second chances, purely from penalties.

But on Thursday, Coach Jim Mora said UCLA is improving in that department.

“Before Saturday, we made huge improvements,” Mora said. “But when you put 14 down on paper, whether they were legitimate calls or fabricated, they still count. So that kind of plummeted us down a bit, but we’ve made improvements. I think a lot of that is guys gaining experience in a scheme, so they understand it better, there’s less thought and more reaction, improving their technique so their feet are in the right position so they don’t have to grab and maybe get a hold. And then as you get a higher caliber of athlete, I think a lot of time you’re able to see a decrease in penalties as well, because they don’t have to cheat to win as much. It’s all those things, and we’re working hard at it.”

This isn’t a recent issue for the Bruins. They are averaging almost eight penalties per game — 107th in the nation. Just for reference, the least-penalized teams average about three.

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Last season, the team was 121st, with more than eight per game. In Mora’s first season, 2012, UCLA was dead last in the country, averaging more than nine.

For Mora, it’s a matter of technique and scheme. Once those are improved, the number of penalties should drop. Theoretically, at least.

“To me, it’s just constant repetition on those things and constant repetition with these kids, and getting them to the point where they become consistent,” Mora said. “It is a process, it does take some time, and we need to show improvement. We have shown improvement with penalties, but last week was not good. Not good.”

For more Bruins observations, follow Everett Cook on Twitter @everettcook

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