UCLA Football Spring Showcase Game Preview
Nov 15, 2013; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Jim Mora greets fans before the game against the Washington Huskies at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
That is right ladies and gentlemen, there will be a game! At least that is what UCLA football head coach Jim Mora is leading us to believe. This will not be another practice with drills and drills and more drills. There will be two teams on the field at Stub Hub Center on Saturday when TEAM BLUE, lead by Offensive Coordinator Noel Mazzone will take on TEAM WHITE, which will be headed by Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
All week, Mora has been informing the Bruin faithful about the goings on with the Spring Showcase via Twitter. Yesterday, he revealed the line-ups for the teams, which both have an offense and a defense.
Oct 12, 2013; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the California Golden Bears during the Bruins 37-10 win at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
TEAM BLUE
QB/OL – With the team that is lead by coach Mazzone and has Heisman hopeful Brett Hundley, I’m going to say that this will be the offense heavy team. They will have a good offensive line as Caleb Benenoch, Malcolm Bunche, Jake Brendel and Alex Redmond are all players that are expected to start or have started for the Bruins.
RB/FB – At running back, Team Blue has Jordan James, Steven Manfro and Paul Perkins. All of them saw a significant amount of time on the field last season, so look for the running game to be a bit more productive for Mazzone’s team. Also watch for Nate Iese who will be playing fullback for the Bruins and will supposedly be utilized more for passing than for blocking.
WR – The interesting part of this team is the wide receivers. It as been said that Hundley is going to have a lot of targets this year. That will be on display at the Spring Showcase with some return experience from Jordan Payton and Devin Lucien. He also has two guys who have stood out in Spring Practice so far in Mossi Johnson and Eldridge Massington.
DEFENSE – Now on defense, the guys that stick out on Team Blue are Kylie Fitts and Eli Ankou on the D-Line, Deon Hollins at linebacker and in the secondary, Tahaan Goodman and Tyler Foreman. Unfortunately, it looks as though Team White will be heavy on the defensive side.
SPECIAL TEAMS – TEAM BLUE gets to utilize the services of last season’s top kicker, Kaimi Fairbairn, so the place-kicking game should favor Mazzone’s squad.
Nov 23, 2013; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack (30) smiles before the Bruins game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
TEAM WHITE
DL – With Kenny Clark, Ellis McCarthy and Owamagbe Odighizuwa playing the defensive line, you have to to think coach Ulbrich might have the edge in defense, especially on the line. But just look at who else he has on his team…
LB – Myles Jack. The face of UCLA’s defense. He is going to be a wrecking ball behind the defensive line. Add to that the talents of Kenny Orijioke and Ryan Hofmeister and you are going to have a TEAM BLUE offense that will be on their toes. With Anthony Barr no longer on the team, this will possibly be the most watched position group, if only to see how they perform without the potential first-round draft pick.
DB – This is going to be huge. Fabian Moreau, Ishmael Adams, Randall Goforth, Anthony Jefferson and Priest Willis all playing for TEAM WHITE. Brett Hundley is sure going to be tested when he throws down the field.
OFFENSE – Asiantii Woulard is going to be a interesting to watch. Currently, the biggest position battle for UCLA is for the back-up QB spot between him and Jerry Neuheisel. Could this be an audition for Woulard? Helping him out, will be Poasi Moala, Kenny Lacy and NaJee Toran on the O-line, Logan Sweet And Kenneth Walker at WR, supported by the ground attack which will feature a player a lot of people have been talking about, Craig Lee.
SPECIAL TEAMS – TEAM WHITE will rely on the field position battle with punter Sean Covington, who will also have place-kicking duties.
Team Blue Vs.Team White
What we have here is a set up for UCLA’s potent offense to go against their aggressive defense. The Hundley-lead squad will be going head-to-head against the Jack-lead squad, most likely, for most of the showcase. In the other battle, we have Woulard leading the Team White offense against a less stacked defense that still manages to have a scary D-line with Fitts and Ankou. Look for a running Woulard to display his skills for his team.
Notable Misses
What is surprising from this is how returning wide receiver Devin Fuller, tight end Thomas Duarte and coveted freshman linebacker Zach Whitley are not on either roster. So far, there is no word on Fuller or Whitley. Duarte, who is thought to be a big component to next season’s passing game, was injured last week with a minor ankle sprain.
Prediction
Entertainment. No matter what happens between TEAM BLUE and TEAM WHITE, this should shape up to be a fun experience for the football team and their fans. You have Jim Mora to thank for that.
And finally…
Mike W.R.
Twitter: @TheBigDisco