Dorrell: "I like what we’re doing right now"

UCLA head coach Karl Dorrell was pleased with Wednesday’s spirited and intense practice, which included almost an hour of work accompanied by very loud crowd noise.

"I thought the offense looked sharp," he said. "I thought Ben [Olson] looked sharp, he operated pretty well with all of our game-planning things. I like what we’re doing right now."

Dorrell noted the return of several players and some movement in the depth chart:

>> On offense, Aleksey Lanis will start instead of Micah Kia at left tackle and fullback Michael Pitre will travel. "Pitre has a chance of playing this week," Dorrell said. "He’s had two or three days with no setbacks. He does have a chance to help as a reserve."

>> On defense, Dorrell was happy to have both defensive end Nikola Dragovic and linebacker Aaron Whittington back from concussions. Freshman defensive tackle Brian Price will make the trip and is improving daily as he soaks up the defensive scheme.

Dorrell also noted that the Bruins will be facing a considerable challenge in the Oregon State defense: "They’re good. They’re good everywhere. They’ve had their health and that’s really a big part of the equation. The linebackers and defensive line have been playing lights out because their health is good and they’re a solid group that has returning starters."

A comic moment during the post-practice interview came when the annual pre-school, all-athlete meeting on Spaulding Field (complete with catering from two Carl’s Jr. mobile units) began with the announcement "I’m sorry that football practice ran late. Thanks for your patience." Dorrell responded to the assembled reporters, laughing, "We’re trying to win a game. I’m sorry I disappointed 700 athletes; we’re trying to win a game!"

Karl Dorrell photo courtesy UCLA

Comments

[silverlake bruin]

unfortunately, KD has no credibiliy left with the fan base after the crazy inconsistant play he gets from his teams year in and year out. He clearly doesn't know what he is doing, so his take on practice is meaningless.

This is the guy who lost to Utah by 5 touchdowns and had his player quit on him.

[exhuming mccarthy]

since my first post got deleted, I will make the point again that it is hard to take anything KD says seriously, as he always reports to be "turning the corner" or "learning" yet we get the same inconsistant performance game to game for each of the 5 years he has been coach. He lacks credibility because what he says never matches up with what his team actually does.

[Leon Kootz]

Hey there K.D.,
I hope that you are enjoying your funny moment after practice. We've been watching something funny for the past five years. The inconsistant play that your teams have shown is not very funny for the UCLA family to watch. Please end the internship soon. We need a football coach that the program can be proud of.
A Ucla fan that thinks with his mind, not with his heart....
Leon Kootz

[Jim Mulligan]

UCLA defense has to STOP rushing 3 and 4 guys on passing situations. They have to bring it and put pressure on the QB. Every time the Bruins get a lead the go back to rushing 4 guys. When you have receivers that run 4.4 fouties I don't care how many guys you have in the secondary the receivers are going to find seems.

Notre Dame, BYU, Utah, Florida State and the list goes on and on. Bring at least 5 and then 6 guys in passing situations. The prevent isn't used any more and any level except at UCLA. I flew to Utah and listened to the Utah fans making fun of the fact we rushed 4 linemen in every passing situation.

If you believe in you players let them make plays and don't hold them hostage in a prevent defense because the only thing that will do is prevent you from wining.

Jim