UCLA Football: Six players suspended for the season opener
It was announced this morning that the UCLA football team has suspended six players for the 2018 season opener at the Rose Bowl against the Cincinnati Bearcats.
It is once again time for the excitement to rise with the UCLA football program. Unfortunately, that excitement will have to wait for six Bruins who have been suspended for the season opener.
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It was announced on Monday morning that TE Devin Asiasi, RB Soso Jamabo, DL Osa Odighizuwa, DB Mo Osling, DL Moses Robinson-Carr and OL Boss Tagaloa will be suspended for the first game of the 2018 season against Cincinnati.
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The Bruins begin their first season under the guidance of Chip Kelly this Saturday and it looks like the new coach is taking steps to ensure that this is, in fact, his team. Though details of the suspensions have not been released, it can be assumed that this is in regards to a violation of team rules.
All of these players were expected to be key figures with this team this season, with a few potentially claiming starting spots. Asiasi was expected to be a backup to Caleb Wilson. The Bruins have produced one of the best tight end groups in the nation, though they will be a man down with Asiasi out, which is unfortunate because he brings a lot of athleticism to the position. Asiasi (as well as Tagaloa) will serve a three-game suspension.
Jamabo actually missed a few practices last week and fans wondered about his absence. He did return by week’s end, though he was looking on from the sideline. He did not appear to be injured (Jamabo was not wearing a yellow/non-contact jersey). Jamabo’s suspension will last two games.
Odighizuwa and Robinson-Carr were slated to play a lot of minutes in reserve, but now the defensive line will be a little weak without them in the lineup. This will affect UCLA’s chances of improving their run defense, which was one of the worst in the nation last season. Osling was also pegged for a supporting role, though this one behind Quentin Lake at the safety spot.
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Tagaloa was up for the starting center spot in the spring and the start of fall camp (though several other players were competing to be the starting snapper). It was also projected that he could start at one of the guard positions, though that might have to wait a few weeks.