UCLA-Utah post-game II: now what?

It was hard to imagine UCLA losing this game to Utah, especially considering the Utes’ anemic line play in its first two games. But after a 44-6 "bludgeoning" as Versus play-by-play announcer Joe Beninati politely called it, here are a few thoughts:

>> Whether the Bruins like it or not, UCLA has a quarterback controversy. The UCLA offensive line failed to open holes for the running game and Ben Olson was sacked five times. As soon as Patrick Cowan is healthy, the drumbeat for him to play will start because of his escapability and ability to run and throw on the run. Olson, unfortunately, can do neither and it appears that both attributes will be needed this season.

>> For a veteran offensive team, ten penalties (all but one on the offense I think), five sacks and two fumbles are inexcusable and were not Ben Olson’s fault. There will be plenty of blame to go around beyond the quarterback meetings.

>> The UCLA defense was exposed by a brilliant Utah gameplan that counterattacked UCLA’s aggressiveness. Unlike last season, UCLA cannot get much pressure on the quarterback without blitzing and Utah’s receivers beat Trey Brown occasionally, either Rodney Van or Alterraun Verner many times and the Bruin linebacker corps continuously. This is not good.

>> Utah came into the game having lost its starting quarterback and top running back and five of its starting 22. UCLA didn’t have Brigham Harwell and Nikola Dragovic for this game and now stars Bruce Davis and Shannon Tevaga were hurt today. How the Bruins respond will be interesting.

>> We’ll learn quite a bit about what Bruin fans think of this team next Saturday night. If UCLA was undefeated, the crowd for 2-1 Washington (which lost today to Ohio State in Seattle, 33-14) would have been well over 70,000. Now?

How bad a loss was this? Well, the 38-point margin of loss was surpassed by the 47-point defeat to USC in 2005 (66-19) and equaled in the 52-14 loss to Arizona that same season. The last loss of this style, by 38 or more to an unranked non-conference opponent, however, came a long time ago: 0-39 at Syracuse in 1964 under coach Bill Barnes, in his last season at the helm of the Bruin football team. He was replaced by Tommy Prothro the following season.

Comments

[Richard]

I agree that Dorrell needs to go - has UCLA football ever been this boring? But you people asking for Neuhisel are crazy, has anyone seen what he did to the Colorado and Washington programs? New coach needed desperately, but not Neuhisel.

[D. Walker (No, not that D Walker)]

Dorrell has proven he is not rerady to coach at this level in other ways than just the performance of his players on the field. His number one recruit (the top rated defensive tackle in the country) can't even play because the Bruin coaching staff wasn't active in making sure all the NCAA requirements were met. So UCLA's number one recruit just sits and waits until the NCAA gets around to clearing him to play. Pathetic. UCLA shouldn't be a place to learn how to coach college football.

[Jim]

While we're getting rid of Dorrell, can we also do away with Chris Roberts? To call him the worst play-by-play announcer in history would be unfair, because that assumes he actually calls the "plays" he sees. Let's be more general and say he's the worst sports announcer ever. I don't care if he's a "nice guy" and all that blather I keep hearing. UCLA not only needs a first-rate football coach, but its fans deserve someone on the radio that isn't simply there to kiss butt and get excited at all the inappropriate moments and also be about five seconds behind whenever something happens. It's even worse during the basketball season. Please, for the love of God. I know I can't be the only person out there who feels this way.

[UtahTex]

Here is a bit of Irony from Utah. For the entire week leading up to the UCLA game Utah fans were screaming about dumping both our head coach and our offensive coordinator!! We were also bemoaning the fact that Tommy Grady was a worthless quarterback! We have not forgotten the Halcyon days of Urban Meyer and we feel betrayed with Whittingham and the mediocre records of the last two years.
And then into town struts UCLA!!! It is amazing how, just a few days later, all we Utah fans are clapping each other on the back and exclaiming how great our team and coaches are! Thank you Bruins. I hope you destroy the Trojans. Will make my Utes look even better. :+)