UCLA football: Bruins bring referees to practice to reduce penalties

The biggest flaw in UCLA’s play this season has been the plethora of penalties the Bruins have accumulated.

They rank 121st out of 123 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.

Coach Jim Mora took a step to solve that problem Tuesday by having referees work at practice. It was the first time refs have been brought in by UCLA in during the season.

“We are going to have them out here on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the year,” Mora said. “Their presence alone will help. I think they see things that maybe we miss as coaches, even on film.”

The Bruins were penalized 13 times for 100 yards in a 34-27 victory over Utah on Thursday.

UCLA averages 89.3 yards in penalties per game. Only Baylor (90.8) and Washington (91.8) average more.

“There are a number of reasons, but they all sound like excuses,” Mora said. “I don’t want to make excuses, because we just can’t have it.”

Mora ran through a list, “We’re young. We play aggressively That’s not a reason for all of them. Sometimes it’s a lapse concentration, and that’s not acceptable. It is up to us to make sure it doesn’t happen.”

ALSO:

PGA Tour season is over, right? Not really

Presidents Cup streaker reveals what makes her tick

Galaxy’s Omar Gonzalez out of World Cup qualifiers with hip injury