What’s my line? A question UCLA couldn’t answer in 2008

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If Kevin Prince, UCLA’s No. 1 quarterback, needs a little tutoring on what to expect this season all he has to do is tap teammate Kevin Craft. Prince can only hope he does not have a similar experience.

Craft started all 12 games last seasons and his numbers are an indication of why the Bruins looked for a new quarterback. Craft threw only seven touchdown passes and had 20 intercepted, a school record. His three longest TD passes were interceptions returned by opponents.

But Craft had plenty of help accumulating those statistics. UCLA’s offensive line allowed 35 sacks. It also failed to create a running game to take the pressure off the quarterback. The Bruins averaged 2.6 yards per carry.

‘We’ve got to protect [the quarterback] better,’ Neuheisel said. ‘Kevin Craft took a lot of the brunt and a lot of the blame [last season]. We didn’t protect him very well.

Neuheisel added, ‘Until we have a viable threat running football so defenses can’t tee off on us on third down, quarterback will be a difficult position.’

Two recruits who might help change that come in large packages. Freshman Xavier Su’a-Filo (6 feet 4, 310 pounds and Stanley Hasiak (6-5, 318) both will challenge for starting spots.

‘They are critical recruits,’ Neuheisel said. ‘Whether they blossom right now remains to be seen. But when you’re developing a program to the highest level, you have to bring in quality kids. Both were highly sought-after guys. They are prototype offensive linemen. The key to all positions, especially the offensive line, is competition, in the weight room and on the field. We want the five best players out there, whether they are guards, tackles or center. You need harmony in guys when they break the huddle.’

The tune was more off-key last season, as the Bruins used eight different offensive line combinations last season. Those players might do more watching than playing this season, as four newcomers could start: Su’a-Filo, Hasiak, center Kai Maiava and community college transfer Eddie Williams.

-- Chris Foster