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UCLA Football: Mora Recaps Texas A&M, Looks Toward UNLV, Addresses Injuries

By Mike Regalado

Oct 15, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Jim Mora reacts during a 56-35 loss against the Stanford Cardinal in a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins coach Jim Mora reacts during a 56-35 loss against the Stanford Cardinal in a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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UCLA Football Head Coach Jim Mora addressed the media on Monday to talk about a few issues from the Bruin’s loss to Texas A&M, moving forward to UNLV and talked about a few injuries.

With the UCLA Football team recovering from their 31-24 loss to Texas A&M over the weekend, Jim Mora addressed the media to talk about what the Bruins took from the defeat.

Related Story: UCLA Opens As Heavy Favorites Against UNLV

Though the game is behind them, Mora said that they looked at tape on Sunday and made the necessary corrections going forward, which the players responded well to.

When asked about the offense, especially late in the game, Mora said that it “was very encouraging”. The Bruins came back in the fourth quarter to tie the game and sent it to overtime. Down 24-9, UCLA scored their first two touchdowns behind Bolu Olorunfunmi and Kenneth Walker.

UCLA tied it, forced OT, but failed to score in extra time.

Though there were several “what ifs” in the game, Mora could not get his head around the fumbled snap by QB Josh Rosen. A Pac-12 official tapped C Scott Quessenberry (which is a signal G Kenny Lacy does with Quessenberry to alert him to when Rosen is ready) and prematural snapped the ball to Rosen who was not ready to receive the ball.

UCLA Bruins
UCLA Bruins /

UCLA Bruins

Mora is in the process of finding out why a Pac-12 official would touch his player.

With the last game over, the Bruins now turn to preparing for UNLV. Aside from breaking down video and analyzing what the Bruins need to do about the Rebels, Mora simply put it,, “we need to go out and play UCLA football”.

RB Nate Starks will practice this week, per Mora, but will be a game-time decision. He gave no reason why Starks did not travel with the team to Texas A&M or why he is not guaranteed for Saturday.

One reporter asked if there was a player that stood out and Mora said that Keisean Lucier-South really impressed. Mora thought he did a good job on the edge, but still wants him to bulk up. “We all want him to be Anthony Barr right now, but Anthony Barr wasn’t Anthony Barr until he was a junior. Keisean is a redshirt freshman.”

When asked about freshman WR Theo Howard not playing, Mora said, “You can’t get everyone in “. Despite power elements, UCLA still spread the ball around as eight players had receptions in the game. Hopefully he gets some playing time in the next few games.

Injury Update

  • Takkarist McKinley does not have a significant injury, but is day-to-day with a groin injury.
  • Deon Hollins should return from having concussive symptoms and could fill in for McKinley.
  • Cameron Griffin is also back this week and is cleared but Mora said they will “move with caution” in accessing his health before the game.

Next: UCLA Football: This is Just the Beginning

Go Bruins!