Monday Media Day: "We’ve got to keep our nose to the grindstone and keep working"

"I would like to start by assuring you of one thing about this football team, before we start our conference, we’re determined to work through some of the difficult circumstances that happened this season.

"There have been some unfortunate setbacks, but this team has a lot to play for with four games remaining, and we still have a lot of time to improve and that begins this week.

"So we’re going to continue to work hard, our coaching staff will continue to work hard and grind out and find ways to improve our team in all three of our areas. We emphasized with the team on Sunday that we need to continue to work hard and work on our execution better in practice so that can be transferred to games.

"We’re going to continue to work hard; that’s really the answer, to all of the scenarios that are floating out there."

That was the beginning of today’s news conference with UCLA head football Coach Karl Dorrell at the Morgan Center on campus. He met the questions on everyone’s mind -– and message board -– head on, before any question was asked.

"We’re not in the best of shape in terms of our health," he said, "but there are a lot of teams that are ailing. You have to continue to find ways to improve. We’re going to have some young players that are going to step up and have opportunities to play and I’m confident with getting them prepared and getting them ready to play that they can do some good things for us." He noted especially the need for receivers Ryan Graves and Terrence Austin, running back Christian Ramirez and defensive linemen Brian Price, David Carter and Jeff Miller to step up this Saturday.

Asked what caused Saturday’s breakdown in Pullman, Dorrell said: "It begins with how well you are executing on Saturdays. That’s the biggest thing. I think, secondly, it’s more of a mental thing than anything. It’s not a physical issue; we’re more than capable of playing very, very well and we need to push this team to overcome these setbacks that have happened. And that’s really what our mindset is.

"You find a way to eventually push through this. And we had some of that last year, where we had to find a way to push through and find a way to play better. We’ve got to keep our nose to the grindstone and keep working."

Asked for more specifics, he said: "You have to keep working hard and get the performance that’s needed in practice and then make it transfer to the game. That’s really all we can do, both players and coaches. So we’re just going to have to prepare hard and really be more detailed and work hard at execution and doing the things that are necessary for us to get the same results on Saturday."

On the injury front:

>> On the offense, running back Khalil Bell had an MRI examination Monday afternoon, but Dorrell implied that he probably would not play against Arizona. Receiver Brandon Breazell has a "rib contusion" but a second set of X-rays were negative and he is "day to day." He might be able to play against Arizona. Receiver Marcus Everett will be out again this week.

Quarterback Patrick Cowan "is no worse for wear," said Dorrell. "He is better than he was last week at this point." Dorrell indicated that it would be important for Cowan to get more reps in practice this week, something he did not have last week. Ben Olson is still not able to practice, but "should be able to do some drills and footwork stuff this week," Dorrell said.

Bell returned to the game after his first injury after being thoroughly checked by the Bruin training staff on the sidelines. Dorrell said on the second injury, "He just planted funny and he heard a pop and that’s why he kind of gave out and leaned forward and finished the run."

Dorrell also said there was no specific reason why Ramirez didn’t play against Washington State, but "he’s going to get a chance to play now." Chris Markey is the likely starter this week, with Chane Moline and Ramirez behind him.

>> On defense, linebacker Christian Taylor was cleared to practice. He will be held out of contact tomorrow, but should be able to play Saturday. Brigham Harwell might be able to play, but that will depend on how much he can do in practice this week. Tackles Jess Ward and Chase Moline continue to be out.

On Arizona, Dorrell said: "They’ve been able to throw the ball very well. Their offense is different in that they’re throwing the ball so much more. They throw the ball on average about 45-50 times a game. They don’t attempt to rush the ball as often as they throw it, but they can run the football." He also mentioned that their defensive front has been solid.

The starting time for the UCLA-Arizona State game will be 12:30 p.m. at the Rose Bowl on Nov. 10. The game will be televised by ABC.

Comments

[The Mad Bruin]

Work hard, blah blah blah
step it up, blah blah blah
Find a way, blah blah blah

Great. Dorrell has been verbally channelling Lavin for years, and now his players are consistently following suit as well. "Heckuva Job, Karly!"

[Chris]

Great call Mad Bruin...couldn't agree more. Karl Dorrell has said nothing but the "politically correct" BS all season. Team has not progressed one little bit this whole year. Team has 20 returning starters back, an iron tight defense from last year and enough playmakers to contend for at least a Pac 10 championship. But thanks to this coaching staff led by Dorrell, we are looking at the Sun or Emerald bowl. Whoopdee friggin do

[Hardbruin]

Dorrell should be in politics. He has an amazing ability to maintain a positive mood with talk that says absolutely nothing. He and Bush must have studied oration at the same school (other than UCLA, of course). "We have to work hard." "Games are tough." "We need to improve." "It's about better execution." My mind has been pummeled senseless by these benign and vague platitudes. I walk away dissatisfied and with more questions.

Can't he see that he was simply out schemed, out coached and basically poorly prepared? He is deaf to the falling trees of failure (Timber, Karl. Timber!). Instead, Mr. Pollyanna sees his schemes as perfect and unblemished nor requiring adaptation to reality as losses mount. Why change, when you can have Kool-Aid! Only drink more! Practice harder, better and with greater focus. Ouroboros has a new soul-mate, the self-consuming Dorrell. Mercifully, the harder he tries, the closer we will reach the end - eaten right out of existence.

[HawaiiBruin]

It's past time. The coaches seem unable to adapt to anything unexpected, or to be able to anticipate the obvious. You have a talent like Osaar sitting on the bench (he can run too), while they claim player shortages. I'm reminded of Donahue's teams, loaded with talent he deserved credit for recruting, but unable to take advantage of it. Dorrell's puzzled looks on the sideline recall Donahue's. Nice guys, I guess, but they just don't/didn't know what to do. Beban was smarter. Can he coach something? Must be making bundles, but you can't take it all with you. Why aren't these guys on the phone with Homer, at least getting ideas? Buddy Epstein, where are you?