Bruins Change the Bottom Line

In 2003, UCLA’s offensive line was atrocious, giving up nearly five sacks a game and blocking for a backfield that averaged only 92 yards rushing.

The Bruins’ offensive front might not be a weak link anymore.

Led by four-year starting center Mike McCloskey, three-year starting tackle Ed Blanton and second-year starting guard Shannon Tevaga, UCLA’s line is expected to be a strength this season, which starts tonight against San Diego State at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

“They’re big, physical and fast, with good athletes,” said San Diego State Coach Tom Craft, whose teams have been outscored, 53-20, in losing the last two years to UCLA and Coach Karl Dorrell. “It’s going to be a really tough opening game for us.”

Last season, the Bruins’ front made a dramatic improvement under Tom Cable, who took over as offensive coordinator and line coach. UCLA finished second in the Pacific 10 Conference in sacks allowed at 1.8, and yards rushing, 184.9, and completed two touchdown passes a game.

Probably the most important statistic for UCLA was scoring. In 2003, the Bruins averaged 19.1 points. Last season, they averaged 30.1.

“It’s like night and day with our offensive line, compared to two years ago,” said senior quarterback Drew Olson, who will make his 27th start tonight.

“I’m very confident in how they’ve been playing.... They know the system. They know the offense. They’ve had probably over 1,000 reps this fall, so they are going to be all right picking up blitzes and stunts or anything else teams throw at us.”

McCloskey makes everything flow. At 6 feet 5 and 280 pounds, he has the size and nimbleness to be an effective run blocker and a standout pass protector.

Blanton has been a mainstay at weak-side tackle since his sophomore season and, according to Cable, has played his best football in camp this year.

Tevaga, a 6-3, 310-pound sophomore who started six games last season at strong-side guard, has the potential to be dominant.

At weak-side guard, Chris Joseph, a 6-4 290-pound sophomore, will start, but he has been slowed this week by leg problems. If Joseph is unable to play or struggles, Robert Cleary, a 6-7 316-pound senior who started seven games last season, will step in.

The final piece for the Bruins, and maybe the most crucial, is sophomore Brian Abraham, who will make his first start at strong-side tackle. Responsible for protecting Olson’s blind side on many passing plays, Abraham said he’s prepared for the challenge.

“I told Drew if I ever mess up on a block to get on me because I know that can’t happen,” said Abraham, a former standout at Rancho Cucamonga High.

Against San Diego State a year ago, Justin Medlock’s career-high four field goals led UCLA to a 33-10 victory. With leading receiver Craig Bragg sidelined because of a shoulder injury, Olson passed for only 158 yards and the Bruins relied on Maurice Drew’s 161 yards rushing in 21 carries.

UCLA controlled the line of scrimmage and Aztec players and coaches complained after the game that the Bruins benefited from illegal chop-blocks. Earlier this week, Craft hinted that he might talk about this tactic to game officials tonight.

“My focus is on our football team, it’s not on what UCLA does or how they do things,” Craft said. “But, for the safety of the game, if there is something that we need to alert the officials to, we do it.”

The Bruins’ blend of run and pass makes them difficult to defend against. It’s not as if they are unstoppable in either area, but if Olson is efficient with his passing, the offensive line can make things happen in the running game.

“We’re playing an outstanding UCLA team,” Craft said. “They have Maurice Drew at running back, Marcedes Lewis at the tight end position. It’s going to be critical for us to try and contain the run; we’re not going to stop it.”

Drew said he would not be surprised to see San Diego State give UCLA some difficulty early because of the complex looks the Aztecs give on defense. But Drew then said he’s confident that the Bruins would not struggle for long.

“We expect to have a couple of problems early because it’s going to be our first game and people are going to be a little antsy,” Drew said. “But I know we’ll settle down and get into our offense. Once our line gets going, we’ll be fine because we have backups who are just as good as our starters.”