After Bruins’ Trials, Expect Some Errors

Avoiding mistakes that derailed UCLA last season was the mantra during fall camp.

Duplicating the absence of mistakes in last season’s opener is the message today.

In a remarkable display of maturity and preparation, the Bruins last year had zero turnovers and zero penalties in a 20-17 victory at Alabama, triggering a six-game winning streak.

Those Bruins had 23 seniors, however.

These have only 12 seniors expected to play against No. 19 Colorado State.

Those Bruins had only one freshman and two redshirt freshmen play against Alabama.

These have nine freshmen and eight redshirt freshmen expected to make their debuts.

A zero-tolerance mistake policy is as unrealistic as keeping third-graders in a straight line before recess on the first day of school.

“I told them to go out on the field and have fun and don’t worry about making mistakes right now,” Coach Bob Toledo said. “I don’t want them to be tentative.”

Early on, Toledo’s messages are usually on the mark. UCLA has won its last four openers, three against top-25 opponents.

There have been more distractions than normal, however, because several off-the-field fights involving players came to light this fall, reviving criticism that Toledo can’t control the team.

He has answered by stiffening penalties for transgressions. And on the field, he has seized command of the offense.

Distracted by the NCAA violations and criminal court proceedings of wayward Bruins late last season, Toledo had little time for Xs and O’s and decided to turn over play-calling responsibilities to offensive coordinator Kelly Skipper.

But this year the coach reconsidered--despite the continuing wave of problems.

“I’ll be calling the plays,” Toledo said. “The staff felt more comfortable with that.”

Skipper will be in the Rose Bowl press box talking into the coach’s headset, pointing out coverages and blitzes and reminding Toledo of down and distance. He’ll even suggest plays.

Toledo, though, wants offense to keep his mind off criminal offenses.

“I’m not thinking about any of that stuff anymore,” he said. “It’s over as far as I’m concerned. It’s over as far as the team is concerned.”

Beating Colorado State (2-0) will require UCLA’s undivided attention. The Rams are coming off a 19-14 upset of No. 7 Colorado, the third time in four years they have defeated their state rival.

They also defeated Virginia, 35-29, Aug. 22 in the earliest game in Division I history.

By contrast, the Bruins will be the last Division I team to kick off. UCLA’s alarm clock is just going off while Colorado State has already milked the cows, slopped the hogs and eaten a stack of flapjacks.

“Getting up to game speed, getting used to the tempo of a ballgame, that’s the biggest concern,” Toledo said.

Not to mention simply lining up in the correct formations. Defensive coordinator Phil Snow is taking a first-things-first approach to containing Ram quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt, an elusive scrambler, and tailback Cecil Sapp, a powerful runner.

“The key to stopping him is getting lined up in the proper defense,” Snow said. “It’s that simple.”

Once the ball is snapped, the next worry is equally basic.

“Tackling in the first ballgame is always a concern,” Snow said. “When young guys have to learn a defense and haven’t had much live scrimmaging, it’s easy to miss tackles.”

Sapp is a 6-foot-1, 225-pound senior who sat out last season after having a benign tumor removed from his right heel. He is making up for lost time, averaging 130 yards in two games.

“Sapp reminds me of [Cincinnati Bengal running back] Corey Dillon,” Toledo said. “He has the ability to shake tacklers.”

Van Pelt reminds observers of single-wing backs from the 1940s. A junior transfer from Michigan State and son of former NFL linebacker Brad Van Pelt, he rushed for 546 yards last season.

“He runs counters, draws and sweeps, most of it designed for him to take off,” Snow said. “He’s a threat.”

UCLA counters with senior quarterback Cory Paus and an experienced supporting cast of linemen and receivers. Tailback Akil Harris rushed for 138 yards in the season-ending victory over Arizona State and will share time with Manuel White and three redshirt freshmen.

White is also the starting fullback. Expect him to be the target of short passes from Paus, who will probably put the ball in the air at least 25 times.

“I think we’ll throw twice as often as we did last year,” Paus said.

Tight end Mike Seidman was the most impressive receiver during camp, consistently beating safeties on deep patterns and presenting a 6-5 target on underneath routes.

But his effectiveness might be muted by Colorado State’s frequent blitzes, which could keep him blocking. Expect Paus to call slant routes to receivers Tab Perry, Craig Bragg and Ryan Smith when he recognizes stunts.

Although Colorado State has proved it is not an opponent to take lightly, Toledo is committed to inserting freshman quarterback Drew Olson in the second quarter for at least one series.

Paus has had two broken collarbones, a separated shoulder and a thumb injury in his career, and his backups all are freshmen.

“How many times has Cory Paus been hurt?” Toledo said. “That weighs heavily on my mind. That’s why Drew has to get some experience.”

The same is true of the 16 or so other Bruins who also will play in their first college game. Mistakes are inevitable. Toledo just hopes they are outweighed by big plays.

“We have a lot of talented guys,” he said. “We have guys we think can make an impact. Some have already proven it. We’ll see if it happens [tonight].”