UCLA Football began their preseason today in San Bernardino as the Bruins opened up fall camp. There is already news of injuries and players out, but there was plenty of good football.
For being August in the California desert, it was quite a nice day out at Cal State San Bernardino where the UCLA Football team began their fall camp in preparation for the 2015 season. Just entering the parking lot you could tell there was a lot of buzz surrounding the Bruins as several news vans where parked outside.
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Inside the spectator area there was an even greater vibe as practice drew considerably more fans than the first practice of last year. A good sign, but it also left no room to properly view practice, especially when the teams were switching fields. Either way, there was plenty to view, no matter how close or far,
The energy on the field was equally exciting as players on both sides of the ball were getting after it as the Bruins ran plays for the majority of the practice so we got to see both offense and defense cycle in players, especially the quarterbacks.
Jerry Neuheisel and Josh Rosen split most of the reps in the first practice of camp. Neuheisel with the first team, Rosen the second team.
— Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) August 10, 2015
Rosen working with the first string o-line.
— Go Joe Bruin (@GoJoeBruinUCLA) August 10, 2015
With Josh Rosen and Jerry Neuheisel taking the majority of the reps, the offense was moving pretty fluidly, in particular the offensive line who had a first string consisting of (from left to right) Conor McDermott, Kenny Lacy, Jake Brendel, Alex Redmond and Caleb Benenoch.
I know the hot issue was who would get 1st team O-line reps: (left to right) McD, Lacy, Brendel, Redmond, Benenoch #BurningIssues
— What's Bruin Symposium (@whatsbruinshow) August 10, 2015
With them was freshman Josh Rosen later in the practice. Both him and Neuheisel did very well, with Rosen edging out Neyheisel, but it seemed the intensity did not match that of the defense’s. The offense played well, but the defense seemed to come out on fire. The coverage defense looked very good and DBs were going after the ball every time, even if it was in the offense’s hands.
Good Looks
Nov 9, 2013; Tucson, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack (30) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
As mentioned, the defense had more fire than the offense, but no one more than Myles Jack. Others that looked great against the pass — at the very least, stood out — was Ishmael Adams, Kenny Young and Jaleel Wadood.
Though the Bruins had a spot of trouble being consistent through the air, the ground game looked impressive as every single running back showed up to impress. Paul Perkins, Nate Starks and the freshmen Bolu Olurunfunmi and Soso Jamabo all had several really good runs.
Team News
We already have an injury and it is a bit all too familiar. OL Simon Goines will be out of fall camp due to a “medical condition”. This is the second fall camp in a row Goines will miss as last season he was out due to ankle surgery.
Running back Craig Lee was not at practice due to “academic issues”. Freshman TE Chris Clark is out with mononucleosis and freshman WR Cordell Broadus was given a few days off for personal reasons.
Jim Mora Talks To The Media
Jack Wong of InsideSoCal.com took this video of head UCLA Football coach Jim Mora talking to the media.
News From Other UCLA Outlets
Rise and grind. Day one of camp has begun. #BruinRevolution pic.twitter.com/fufIrTJdJ7
— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) August 10, 2015
RT Simon Goines will miss training camp with a medical issue, Jim Mora said. Unrelated to previous injury history.
— Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) August 11, 2015
Jordan Payton said his roommate out here in San Bernardino is Josh Rosen, who looked like the best QB once again today.
— Edward Lewis (@Edward__Lewis) August 11, 2015
Journey behind the scenes with @UCLAFootball through photos as they prep for season. http://t.co/HDtmmxN61Y pic.twitter.com/uMjekjZ6iQ
— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) August 11, 2015
Jim Mora said Chris Clark has mono. He's hopeful the big freshman TE will be back tomorrow.
— Edward Lewis (@Edward__Lewis) August 11, 2015
#ucla dB adarius Pickett looked vastly improved. Forced funble that was returned for td by takkarist McKinley @ac12 @UCLAFootball
— chris foster (@cfosterworld) August 11, 2015
Newly arrived freshmen Cordell Broadus and Chris Clark did not practice. Broadus out for 1-2 days for personal reasons. Clark has mono.
— Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) August 11, 2015
Next: Does UCLA Really Have A Quarterback Dilemma?