Pac-12 Network’s ‘The Drive’ Episode 2 Recap – Preparing For The Season

Aug 30, 2014; Charlottesville, VA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora gestures on the field prior to the Bruins

In Episode 2 of the Pac-12 Network’s original series ‘The Drive’, the show followed the Bruins as they were winding down training camp in San Bernardino, getting ready for Virginia and also gave us an introspective look at nose tackle Kenneth Clark that was quite up-lifting.

LEAVING SAN BERNARDINO

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It was a harsh expedition into the desert that began with a foundation for what the Bruins hope will be a spectacular season. The show started with head coach Jim Mora in a film room giving prose about what he expects form this team.

“There is a lot of expectations and a lot of talk out there about this football team. All that matters is the men in this room.”

Mora does not want these players, these men, to be just give the bare minimum. He needs them to give their all. The season will be here before they know it and he needs them to understand. “You make great decision, you protect the team.”

The Bruins busted their butts at Cal State San Bernardino, but even the hardest of workers needs a break. That was evident by the smiles the Bruin s displayed as they made acrobatic-like dives into a lake on a much needed day off. One after the other, the Bruins showed they had a little extra drive to enjoy themselves before they transition back home.

KENNY CLARK

‘The Drive’ turned its attention to an in-depth look about one of the fiercest Bruins on the team, Kenny Clark. Clark is an insanely physical being on the defensive line. As defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich explains, “that is the sucker I want in front of me… you can’t break him.” Those words rang true more than we the audience expected.

Mora describes Clark as “motivated to achieve”, which the head coach says came from Clark’s mother. And why not? He has developed into a man that not only takes care of his assignments in the middle of the defensive line, but also his family.

Clark’s father, Kenneth Sr., has been in prison for a number of years and the junior Clark was forced to be the man of the house at age 9. As life goes, you need to adjust and Clark did that by taking care of his family. Despite the ups and downs of his father’s life, Clark has maintained a connection to his father, so much that the Bruin coaches involved the senior in the recruiting process of his son.

”There is a lot of expectations and a lot of talk out there about this football team.” –Jim Mora

As for Clark’s mom, she is a lady that took care of not just the family, but the friends, the cousins, the neighborhood kids… you know, a mother to all. She is the type of lady that makes sure everyone is fed and fed well. Mora made sure to comment on how she not only offers food, but stands there and makes sure you eat all of it. And it doesn’t bother Mora at all, “we like it”. It is no wonder why Kenny Clark is so driven.

GAME TIME

If the Bruins are going to reach the “top of the mountain”, the first step is Virginia. As kick-off approaches, ‘The Drive’ covered the Cavaliers for a spell. Shots of practice, a brief interview of head coach Mike London and the all-important, prepping of the field. With the last bits of paint drying on the field, both UCLA and Virginia were ready to start the college football season.

As you now, the Bruins escaped Virginia 28-20, but it was interesting getting the sounds of the game, especially from UCLA’s side. Despite what fans and critics thought they knew, it was interesting to see how the Bruins reacted to a game that turned out tougher than expected. It was not as doom-and-gloom as many expected.

Aug 30, 2014; Charlottesville, VA, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Ishmael Adams (1) runs with the ball as Virginia Cavaliers place kicker Alec Vozenilek (30) attempts the tackle in the second quarter at Scott Stadium. The Bruins won 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

On the play where cornerback Ishmael Adams returned a kick-off for a touchdown, only to be called back on an asinine penalty in which Priest Willis had his helmet knocked off and put it back on, Mora commented as many Bruin fans did, “you got to be kidding me on that call.”

But the reaction from Adams was not a downer, but a confidence builder.

“We’ll get another one.”

In a game where the defense scored three touchdowns, the offense only scored one. Before the important game winner by the offense, Mora had asked both quarterback Brett Hundley, “You plan on scoring today?” He could have yelled, he could have cursed, he could have lead a tirade that would have made former QB Kevin Craft cry, but he did not. He kept his cool and calmly directed his team.

“We got to go faster!”

If the Bruins expect to go through a tough Pac-12 schedule, they need to do more than that. “We didn’t play anywhere near our standard.” Rest assured, Mora will get this team going before the next game against Memphis at the Rose Bowl.

As the show ended, he gave the most promising statement of all, “We are going to get stronger.”