Emphasis Is Now on Toughness

The mission is to explode a stereotype, and Bob Toledo figures the best way to do it is for UCLA players to beat on each other.

Practice has been increasingly hard over the past three weeks as the Bruins seek to rid themselves of an image of softness they have had for many years.

“The tempo is faster,” said Toledo on Monday, comparing practices to those of a year ago. “I think we’re much more demanding of them finishing blocks, getting on the ground. Of being more physical. We try to get tougher all the time.”

The demands accelerated after a practice on Sept. 10, in which the Bruins dropped passes, blew assignments and generally walked around Spaulding Field in a daze, then got a wakeup call from a frustrated Toledo, who cut practice short and delivered a stinging lecture.

Since then, there has been plenty of hitting and three victories in a row.

“When you win, it’s easier to do that,” said Toledo of the increased emphasis on physical football in practice, something of a departure from years past. “The kids buy into what you’re doing. There’s a real trust right now between players and coaches. They trust what we’re doing is right.”

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Leading, 31-3, and facing fourth-and-goal from the Houston three on Saturday, UCLA sent Skip Hicks through the line for a touchdown. Toledo said Monday that he was trying to get Hicks a score, not to run up the score on the Cougars.

He said the play was in line with his team’s attempt to score touchdowns inside the opponents’ 20-yard-line, the so-called “red zone.”

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NEXT UP FOR UCLA

WHO: Oregon

WHERE: Autzen Stadium

TIME: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

TV: FX

RADIO: AM 1150