Within the first month of the Bruins hiring Coach Neuheisel Rick retained one of the nation's leading defensive coordinators (DeWayne Walker) even hiring an offensive genius and former Cougar staff member in Norm Chow. "Slick" Rick (as some may call him) was also able to piece together one of the Bruins best recruiting classes in years. Yes his coaching staff might be a dream team but after that its rather uncertain, at best.
His starting quarterback was already done for the season before taking a snap (left knee torn ACL). Backup and famed former Cougar Ben Olson broke his right foot in late spring. Third and next on the charts is Kevin Craft (sociology major) former San Diego State quarterback.
Last time the jerseys in blue saw Kevin directing an offense was in San Diego stadium back in 2006 (yeah the Cougs came out on top 47 to 17). Although he did end with a 109.8 rating that year. A year ago Craft guided his offense at Mt San Antonio College (Walnut CA) to a respectable 10-3 record passing for over 4200 yards 44 TDs with 10 INTs and most of all a Southern Cal JC Championship.
Look for Craft to look often to his TE Ryan Moya since eight of the Bruin top 10 offensive linemen did not play a snap on the OL last season. Moya finished the Vol game with 7 catches for 65 yards. The road graters were only able to provide groundcover for the backs in 29 rushing yards. Kahlil Bell had 5 carries for 11 yards and Raymond Carter finished with 15 carries on 14 yards. Neither had impressive numbers and both are trying to bounce back from reconstructive knee surgeries. Good chance Bell might be sitting this one out with a high ankle sprain. The Bruin OL runs 303 average across the line. Starting LT Micah Kia (6.5/297 JR) is still recovering from a broken left hand approximately 3 weeks ago.
On the other side of the ball is a defense firmly anchored by senior defensive tackle Brigham Harwell (6.1/292) who is also on the watch list for the Outland Trophy. In 2007 Harwell played only in two games after suffering a tear in the left medial collateral ligament. Against the Vols Brigham was often double teamed sometimes even triple teamed. He will make his presence known.
Hard hitting Reggie Carter moved from weakside LB to roam the middle. Carter can still hear the sound vividly of the football smacking into the outstretched Cougar paw of Eathyn Manumaleuna who blocked Kai Forbath's attempt on a possible game winning field goal in last years Vegas Bowl. He remember's all too well and has said "I'm looking forward to this game. I want to dominate. I don't want to just win. I want them to feel like I did after that bowl game and the only way to do that is to beat them".
Despite the Bruins having lost 10 of its last 13 road games look for UCLA to give the Cougars all they can handle. At stake is the Cougars home winning streak of 14 in a row since its last home loss to BC on 3 Sep 2005. The jerseys in blue will also be on the prowl to prove that taking the "W" from Locker and Company wasn't a fluke.
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