Pac-12 Network’s ‘The Drive’ Episode 5 Recap – The Bye

With UCLA on a bye week, episode 5 of Pac-12 Network’s ‘The Drive’ took a little bit of time to attend to UCLA as they get ready  for Arizona State with the big question, will Brett Hundley play after injuring his elbow a week and a half ago against Texas? It kind of answered that question, but really, this was a recap show. So I guess that makes this the recap recap.

The show started with the focus on practice and what the team has to do to move forward. It is still a work in progress as Mora states, that the Bruins are going to work at a level, speed, intensity that their opponents are unwilling to match. Jim Mora, as always, never said anything that was not empowering, “Always keep pushing because I know what happens when you let off the gas pedal.”

Betsided

Brett Hundley made an appearance and was a sight for sore eyes. After practicing in secrecy, with no media able to report on Hundley’s status due to silence by Mora, the Bruin QB was anything but silent moving around on the field. One thing that might have given away the status of the “injured” quarterback were scenes of Hundley practicing. Not just hanging out and being groovy, but actually practing. He was throwing passes and running for touchdowns. It was good to see him active again.

Hundley also had some wisdom to share, “Greatness is a continuous habit.” Agreed, but that was it as far as it went with new information and insight. The rest of the episode recapped the season to the present. To the Pac-12’s credit, an entire show focusing on a week and a half of practice could get tedious and mundane. Alright! Blocking drills, WOOHOO! But that was it as the show recapped the season at that point.

San Bernardino

As they travelled back in time to fall camp, defensive coordinator Jeff Ublrich put it best, “Camp is the place where you need to come together.” Even though everyone hates it, Ulbrich is right. The show even gave a tip of the hat to the Bruin head coach, as they stated that Mora “gives the best and demands the best from his players.” The collective fan base could see that from year one.

Aesthetically, one of the best shots of the episode came during the San Bernardino segment. Whilst Mora was giving an emphatic voice over speech about living up to standards, there was a shot of the team through a gap in a group of trees. As it zoomed into the pratice field from an adjacent mountain, it caught the team coming together. This show is not just about the information it provides, but the brilliant shots it gets while providing that information. The Emmy committee needs to keep their eye on this one.

Virginia

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The show then shifted to the first game at Virginia. One of the best moments, was after Ishmael Adams had a return for a touchdown that was unfortunately called back due to a penalty. Whilst getting back to the sideline, Adams said to Mora, “I’ll get another one.” That confidence, that is what Mora builds.

As was the highlight, the show focused on the reaction of the three defensive touchdowns… those three beautiful defensive touchdowns. It was rough, but it was a win. As Mora put it, “We’ll take a win. A win with a lot to improve upon.”

Memphis

We all know that this game was painful, mostly from a defensive stand point, but you cannot argue the fact that this was a big step for the offense. Jordan Payton agrees, “We definitely showed our offensive attack in that game.” That they did, but the defense forgot to show up. Luckily the Bruins offense pulled out the victory. Yes, a win is a win, but when it is almost  loss, it does feel awkward. Mora knows that more than anybody.

“We are not after good, we are after greatness.”

Texas

Sep 13, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Jerry Neuheisel (11) celebrates on top of his teammates shoulders after a victory against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium. The Bruins beat the Longhorns 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The show once again made us go through the highs and lows of the Texas game and once again it felt good. Not the Hundley-gets-injured part, but the Bruins-rallying-for-their-fallen-leader-as-Jerry Neuheisel-makes-an-awesome-comeback part.

The end was spectacular, but the set-up was genius. Ishmael Adams and “The Return.” Sure it may sound like a goth band, but no, it was one of the most extraordinary plays of the game. Adams had returned a punt 45 yards to get the Bruins to the 33-yard line. The best part of that is when Adams called for a block which Cameron Judge provided with a smashing collision on a Longhorn player that gave Adams an open lane to the left side of the field.

Even after that spectacular play, Adams commented on the hero of he night, “We believed in Jerry.” And then there was “The Throw”. Once again, it was beautiful to see. A 33-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Payton. I cried a little, I’ll admit it.

The show end with a broader perspective on the conference. They showed clips of every Pac-12 team in action with a Rocky voice over. As the show put it, the Pac-12 is home to some of the best football teams in the country. There is no doubt about that, which is why UCLA needs to be better going into conference play.

The show ended with one last thing to think about: with UCLA starting Pac-12 play, as the show put it, The Drive has just begun. The episode then ended with a shot of UCLA’s countdown clock to the Pac-12 Championship.