TEAM PROFILE: UCLA Bruins

UCLA Bruins 6-6


Key Players

SS- Chris Horton: extremely hard hitter, plays like extra LB, rushes punter well
6-1, 216 SR (La)- 1st PAC-10 07’

KR- Matthew Slater: backup safety, 31 per return with 3tds, 100 long, gamebreaker
6-0, 198 SR (Ca)- 1st PAC-10 07’

DE- Bruce Davis: 12.5 sacks in 06, high intensity guy
6-3, 234 SR (Tx)- 2nd PAC-10 07’, PAC-10 06’

DT- Kevin Brown: good quickness, great playmaking ability, athletic, fluid
6-3, 294 SR (Ca)- HM PAC-10 07’

CB- Trey Brown: good cover skills, big play corner, tough
5-8, 189 SR (Kan)- HM PAC-10 07’

FS- Dennis Keyes: hard hitter, good coverage skills, sp teams demon
6-2, 199 SR (Cal)- HM PAC-10 07’

CB- Alterraun Verner: future of def for UCLA, great anticipation, good speed
5-11, 178 SO (Cal)- HM PAC-10 07’, Co-Frosh of Year PAC-10 06’

K- Kai Forbath: strong explosive leg, good height on ball, 3-3 50+ 54 long, 22-28 season
6-0, 192 FR (Ca)- HM PAC-10 07’

P- Aaron Perez: strong leg, improved technique, good at kickoffs
6-4, 223 JR (Ca)- HM PAC-10 07’

WR- Brandon Breazell: good hands, speed and run after catch, QB shuffle hurts #’s
6-0, 162 SR (Ca)

RB- Chris Markey: greatly underachieved this year, playmaker with good vision
5-10, 210 SR (La)- HM PAC-10 06’

Watch Out For:
WR- Dominique Johnson: good combo of speed and height, at best last 2 months
6-3, 209 SO (Ca)


Team Info:

Passing Off: 185.0 yrds/g, 100th in NCAA
-shuffled between Olson and Cowan all year, neither make enough plays
-lack of pass protection
-former + latter equals frustrated but talented receivers and RBs
BIGGEST WEAKNESS

Rushing Off: 150.1 yrds/g, 65th in NCAA
-Markey is very talented
-again they lack strength up front
KEY TO GAME

Passing Def: 233.1 yrds/g, 70th in NCAA
-have playmakers in secondary
-they either make big plays or give them up
-Davis needs make presence felt early, force quick throws

Rushing Def: 115.4 yrds/g, 25th NCAA
-if Brown is out this is a big loss
-Hurton is their best tackler in run support
BIGGEST STRENGTH (if Brown is playing)

Special Teams:
Kicking- A
Punting- B+
Return Game- A

Key Stats:
3rd Down Conv- 61/190 (32%) vs. 57/200 (28%)
Penalties- 90 for 761yrds (63.4per) vs. 76 for 637yrds (53.1per)
Turnovers- 29 vs. 25 (-4)
TOP- 28:36 vs. 31:24

Head Coach: DeWayne Walker, 0-0
Karl Dorrell fired on Dec 7th
-Dorrell was 35-27, 24-18 in PAC-10 and 1-3 in bowls
-not the best play-caller or motivator
-Utah loss killed him

Replaced by Def Coordinator DeWayne Walker
-Walker former secondary coach for Redskins
-defense improved in scoring and 3rd downs once he came in

*might be worst team to make a bowl game, would probably lose to Florida Atlantic