Dorrell IV: We’re not going to sneak up on anybody

UCLA coach Karl Dorrell was asked about the high expectations for this UCLA team with 20 returning starters and a win over USC last season at Pac-10 Football Media Day:

>> "It still comes down to whether we are mature enough to handle that kind of information [high pre-season rankings]. This team has the maturity to do it.

"The coaching staff and players are in place to be a very good football team. We told the team, ‘you’re not going to sneak up on anybody, you’re going to have to perform’ and they have reacted to that stress and pressure. They did a tremendous job this summer and they understand that expectation."

>> Dorrell underlined that last year’s USC game was "a great win for us and does a lot for our program. It’s a great feeling to be able to beat them in the Rose Bowl when they’re supposed to be on their way to the national championship game. It wasn’t pretty by any means, but we have the W in the win column and that does a lot for our confidence

"We know we can play with anyone, and to get what you want to get, you have to know that."

More to come from Pac-10 Football Media Day . . .