Drew Shines, Others Struggle

For the most part, Coach Karl Dorrell got what he expected from UCLA’s first spring football scrimmage Saturday.

The offense did some good things (mainly running back Maurice Drew) but also made plenty of mistakes (at least 50 yards in penalties along with several dropped passes).

The Bruin defense had a better day (at least four sacks and one touchdown interception return), but they also struggled in key areas -- such as tackling.

“Film will tell us a lot,” Dorrell said after UCLA’s 100-plus play-scrimmage, highlighted by a 62-yard touchdown run and 52-yard touchdown punt return by Drew. “But I’m encouraged from what I saw on the field today.”

Dorrell was pleased with the play of his offensive line, which operated without injured centers Mike McCloskey and Robert Chai. With undersized redshirt freshman Brian Rubinstein (listed as 5 feet 11, 255 pounds) starting at center, the line opened cutback lanes for Drew and protected UCLA’s quarterbacks for key stretches of the scrimmage.

But the Bruins had at least five illegal-procedure penalties and also had trouble slowing the young defensive line on passing downs.

“Overall, we’re playing with a dominant attitude and that’s what we have to keep building on,” said Drew, who broke two arm tackles on his long touchdown run. “Rubinstein is our third-string center and he stepped in and did a great job. We want to be a team that establishes the run to help open up our passing game.

“But we have to be more disciplined.”

There were times when the Bruins looked liked the offensively challenged team of last season, especially when quarterback Drew Olson (nine of 21 for 76 yards) misfired to open receivers.

“What we’re trying to accomplish on that side of the ball, we are starting to get some production,” Dorrell said. “We’re doing some things that we need to do in critical situations, and that’s something that is a lot better.... We’re nowhere close to where we should be, but we are working our way in that direction.”

Defensively, the Bruins had plenty of standouts. Linebacker Spencer Havner, safety Ben Emanuel and lineman C.J. Niusulu had strong scrimmages, and redshirt freshman Chris Horton intercepted a Brian Callahan pass and returned it for a touchdown.

“Being a young guy, you have to make plays when you get your chance,” said Horton, who has gotten more repetitions with starting safety Jarrad Page not participating this spring because of a back injury and his participation in baseball.

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Sophomore receiver Idris Moss had six catches for 43 yards.... Kicker Justin Medlock made three of four field goals, two from beyond 40 yards.... Starting right guard Paul Mociler played some center over the second half of the scrimmage. McCloskey has not played this spring because of a minor chest ailment. Chai suffered a sprained MCL and will probably miss the remainder of spring but is expected to be ready for fall training camp. Defensive end Kevin Harbour, who suffered a torn ACL in his left knee last week, will have surgery next month.