The Bruin Blog

Riveting stuff.  

Bruins Lose Season Opener

UCLA Bruins (0-1) HC Jon Gruden's return to coaching fell short of success. Considered a surprise hire by many in the offseason, Gruden was leading a UCLA team with high expectations. They lost to the Penn State Nittany Lions 34-24 in a game where QB Brett Hundley struggled for the most part. 

When asked about his thoughts on the game, Gruden blamed himself for the loss, "I thought our players played great. I never adjusted to the game and the playcalling. I failed to utilize the passing game early and ran it too often. I have to realize that I'm not running a West Coast offense anymore."

In addition, highly touted LB Anthony Barr was a no-show, recording only 2 tackles for a defense that failed to stop the Nittany Lions in the second half. Gruden is contemplating on moving him to the inside. 

This Bruins season was not about National Championship-or-bust. "We're a young team. To say that we expected to win the championship right away would be silly. We know where we are at as a team. There's a hell of a lot of room for improvement," Gruden said. The team will look to rebound in a strong way Week 3 against Nebraska.

I'm sure the Bruins will rebound and be back to their winning ways in no time.  Gruden may claim its not a Championship or bust year, but my bet is by season's end they will at least be in contention for the PAC12 Championship.

Bruins get win with 57-yard field goal as time expires





For the third game in a row, the UCLA Bruins (1-2) struggled to get their offense going. The run game has proven abysmal, which has effected QB Brett Hundley and his passing. 

That is why the Bruins have to thank the defense and sophomore K Ka'imi Fairbairn for the win. Senior LB Anthony Barr finally demonstrated why he was considered a highly touted prospect by recording 3 tackles and a Pick-Six while Fairbairn nailed a 57-yarder as time expired to get the win over the Michigan State Spartans.

UCLA struggles defensively against Utah



The UCLA Bruins (1-3, 0-1) can't wait to get back to playing on their home field. After dropping a heartbreaker to Utah, the team fell to 0-3 on the road. It was a game where the Bruins couldn't stop a fly, let alone dynamic Utah RB Kelvin York, who rushed for 190 yards and 1 touchdown. On a positive note, the Bruins were finally able to sustain long drives that ended up in 4 rushing TDs (2 for QB Brett Hundley). 

The Bruins look to bounce back next week at home versus the California Golden Bears (0-4, 0-1).

Ken wrote:UCLA struggles defensively against Utah



The UCLA Bruins (1-3, 0-1) can't wait to get back to playing on their home field. After dropping a heartbreaker to Utah, the team fell to 0-3 on the road. It was a game where the Bruins couldn't stop a fly, let alone dynamic Utah RB Kelvin York, who rushed for 190 yards and 1 touchdown. On a positive note, the Bruins were finally able to sustain long drives that ended up in 4 rushing TDs (2 for QB Brett Hundley). 

The Bruins look to bounce back next week at home versus the California Golden Bears (0-4, 0-1).

Rough start man but its still early in the season (only your first conference game).  CAL sounds like the perfect team to right the ship against.

UCLA Bruins (2-4, 1-2) upset #20 Stanford Cardinal (4-3, 2-3



Final Score (3OT)
UCLA Bruins - 61
Stanford Cardinal - 58

In a competitive battle that lasted three overtimes, the UCLA Bruins were finally able to come out on the winning end by downing the Stanford Cardinal 61-58. The Bruins dominated the first quarter, going up 10-0 before the Cardinal responded strongly in the second by tying the game 17-17 just ten seconds before the half. The Bruins would answer quickly as WR Shaquelle Evans, taking over return duties for the injured RB Damien Thigpen, took it to house for a TD just as time expired for the first half. 

The second half was more of the same back-and-forth battle that featured admirable performances from the star players of both teams. Cardinal QB Kevin Hogan and RB Anthony Wilkerson refused to let their team lose. Fortunately for the Bruins, QB Brett Hundley and his band of WRs felt exactly the same way. Hundley put on another impressive showing by throwing for 382 yards and 6 TDs. The final one came on a perfect throw to WR Kenneth Walker after the defense forced a FG from the Cardinal.

Next week, the Bruins travel to Eugene, Oregon to face the #23 Oregon Ducks. The Ducks have been facing the same inconsistencies that have hampered the Bruins' young season. The defense cannot rely on the offense to bail them out again, especially not against the Ducks' high-powered offense.

Player of the Game: WR Shaquelle Evans, 6 receptions, 82 yards, 1 TD, 8 KR, 286 yards, 1 TD (105 yards)



Hundley quarterbacked a great game, but the PotG award has to go to his security blanket, "Shaq" Evans. He tied the team in receptions and his return TD just before the half provided some breathing room to start the second half.

Huge win. I bet this gets replayed on ESPN Classic or the PAC 12 Network all year long.

UCLA Bruins (2-5, 1-3) suffer humiliating defeat


Final Score
UCLA Bruins - 24
Oregon Ducks - 66

One week after upsetting the Stanford Cardinal, the UCLA Bruins traveled to Eugene, Oregon and get slaughtered by the #21 Oregon Ducks (5-3, 5-0). The Bruins never stood a chance and it showed early. QB Brett Hundley threw 8 interceptions and was benched late in the game. As always, the Bruins defense was horrendous, allowing the Ducks to have a field day on the ground, amassing a total of 9 TDs. An astounding 6 of them were ran in by Ducks QB Marcus Mariota. By next week, Mariota will probably be recognized as a Heisman candidate at the expense of the Bruins.

Ken wrote:UCLA Bruins (2-5, 1-3) suffer humiliating defeat

QB Brett Hundley threw 8 interceptions and was benched late in the game.

Ouch.  I've had one of those games (I threw 9 picks in a game last year) ... they aren't fun.

Ken wrote:Week 12: UCLA Bruins (4-6, 3-4) lose QB Brett Hundley for the rest of the season in upset win over #22 Washington Huskies (7-3, 4-3)



Final Score (2OT)
UCLA Bruins - 35
Washington Huskies - 28

The UCLA Bruins needed two overtimes to do it, but they upset the #22 Washington Huskies 35-28. The win was their second over a ranked opponent within their own conference, the other being Week 8's win over the Stanford Cardinal.

The star for the offense was WR Shaquelle Evans, who had 7 catches for 158 yards and 3 TDs. However, it was CB Ishmael Adams who made two timely INTs that won the Bruins the game, including one to win the game in OT.

Bruins QB Brett Hundley has been struggling throughout the year despite showing flashes of greatness over periods of certain games. After a knee injury in 2nd quarter, Hundley will be on the sidelines for the rest of the 2013 season. Taking over will be Freshman QB Jerry Neuheisel (I was actually using TJ Millweard, but he transferred to Kansas). Neuheisel, whose father was the Bruins' coach from 2008-11, will also "see competition from the others QB on the depth chart."

Congrats on the big win although the news about Hundley sucks.

Week 13: UCLA Bruins (5-6, 4-4) burn QB Asiantii Woulard's Redshirt status, defeat Arizona State Sun Devils (5-6, 3-5) 34-17



Final Score
UCLA Bruins - 34
Arizona State Sun Devils - 17

In a surprising turn of events, UCLA Bruins HC Jon Gruden decided to burn QB Asiantii Woulard's Redshirt status just days before their game against the Arizona State Sun Devils. Woulard, a dual-threat QB from Winter Park, Florida, started the game and led the Bruins to a decisive victory. The freshman looked poised, throwing for 221 yards and 1 touchdown without turning the ball over. However, he did get a lot of help from RBs Jordon James and Damien Thigpen. The two combined for 151 yards and 3 touchdowns.  

The win made Gruden's choice to burn Woulard's Redshirt status look better, but many still questioned the motives behind the move given the amount of games left in the season. With starter QB Brett Hundley eligible for the 2014 NFL draft, Woulard's emergence could potentially make his decision a lot easier.

The Bruins will go into the Coliseum to face long-time rivals #13 USC Trojans (8-2, 5-2) next week.

Player of the Game: RB Damien Thigpen, 15 carries, 72 yards, 3 TDs

Wow. Interesting development at QB.

the_EDJ wrote:Wow. Interesting development at QB.

Wow indeed.  Very interesting move by Coach Gruden.

UCLA Bruins Recruiting

Despite only winning 5 games on the season, UCLA Bruins HC Jon Gruden has put together a solid recruiting class. Though only P Curtis McClellan is projected to be a starter, the recruits should solidify the Bruins as one of the most promising teams in the distant future.

#2 QB Thomas Ryan  6'2" ****
73 OVR (-4) 75 Speed, 86 Throw Power, 77 Throw Accuracy
 
#30 HB Donte Banks 6'0" 206 lbs ****
68 OVR (-2) 72 Trucking, 79 Stiff Arm
 
#42 WR Mike Brown 5'11" 177 lbs ****
71 OVR (+1) 79 Spectacular Catch, 86 Route Running
 
#40 WR Brad Thompson 6'3" 206 lbs ****
71 OVR ( - ) 93 Speed, 89 Route Running
 
#35 C Bret Nelson 6'7" 321 lbs ***
71 OVR (+4) 77 Pass Block, 76 Run Block, 72 Impact Blocking
 
#77 DE Tom Baker 6'6" 272 lbs ***
67 OVR (+1) 75 Tackle, 81 Hit Power, 75 Pursuit
 
#22 DE T.J. McCormick 6'3" 252 lbs ****
75 OVR (+2) 79 Finesse Moves, 83 Tackle, 81 Hit Power
 
#108 DT Brian Johnson 5'11" 296 lbs ***
66 OVR (+3) 75 Block Shedding, 75 Pursuit
 
#59 MLB Aaron Brooks 6'0" 217 lbs ***
65 OVR (+3) 92 Acceleration, 69 Man Coverage
 
#52 FS Scott Walker 6'2" 197 lbs ***
66 OVR (+2) 69 Man Coverage, 78 Press
 
#46 SS Patrick Porter 6'2" 210 lbs ***
71 OVR (+5) 90 Acceleration, 76 Zone Coverage
 
#54 SS Brandon Thomas 5'10" 166 lbs ***
67 OVR (+1) 78 Tackle, 69 Zone Coverage
 
#5 P Curtis McClellan 6'0" 209 lbs ***
81 OVR (+2) 87 Kick Power, 77 Kick Accuracy

Nice class got me beat by a long shot haha. Congrats!