UCLA Football: News Recap Since Bruins Beat NMSU

Note: GJB has been buggy since before UCLA’s 59-13 beatdown of New Mexico State. The good news is we’re back. The bad news is we missed a hell of a lot of news. Or you did, since you come here every day. We will now recap UCLA news over the past few days. 

UCLA Invests $50 Million to Build a Football Facility

Remember all that whining and moaning you and I have done over the past forever because UCLA refused to pony up dough to build better facilities for the football program? Well, it looks like all that crying can stop, because UCLA’s athletic department has pulled the trigger on raising private funds for a $50 million football facility.

The facility will be situated west of Spaulding Field, opposite where the parking structure is.

While there are concerns to consider here (such as putting the athletics department in a hole financially or delaying construction because fund thresholds haven’t been met), this is a pretty good move for the program. With the Pac-12 conference in an arms race to secure the top spot for best facilities, it’s clear that UCLA was laggin’ behind.

Johnathan Franklin has a Breakout Game for the Packers, Fumbles it Away

Perhaps the most beloved UCLA Bruin of the Rick Neuheisel era, and easily the most beloved 2012 UCLA Bruin, Johnathan Franklin has been widely supported by UCLA fans in his endeavor to earn a starting spot for the Green Bay Packers. His professionalism, heart, and overall performance and intangibles make him a perfect representative of UCLA football.

And he gave UCLA fans what they wanted most this past Sunday, as Franklin earned 103 yards off of just 13 carries to go along with a rushing touchdown, three catches, and 27 receiving yards. With both James Starks and Eddie Lacy injured, Franklin stepped in and made a name for himself.

And then on the Packers’ final drive, Franklin fumbled the ball to give the Cincinnati Bengals the game-winning touchdown.

(First of all, why the hell would Mike McCarthy call a run play for a rookie to jump over the line on fourth and inches that late in the game? Dumb move, but I may have a bias here.)

Franklin did well, but that fumble will haunt him for awhile. Here’s to hoping he bounces back.

UCLA Offensive Lineman Christian Morris Will Transfer

The first casualty of the 2013 recruiting class — which earned the UCLA coaching staff a top-10 spot in the rankings — is UCLA offensive lineman Christian Morris, one of seven offensive line recruits in the class.

While many outlets have Morris on record saying he’s transferring to Ole Miss to be close to his sick grandmother, others have speculated (but of course) that Morris is leaving due to a lack of playing time. These other people, mind you, are probably fans who don’t seem to understand how it’s ironic that they were likely the ones ticked off at Notre Dame for refusing to release Eddie Vanderdoes from his NLI.

Regardless, hopefully everything works out for the kid.