Round and Round We Go: An NCAA 2012 Coaching Carousel Dynasty [Take Two]

[DeToxRox]

So my XBox began have issues and I took it to Best Buy where it was still under my full replacement plan. Rather than wait for a fix (it was not a RROD) I decided to just pay the extra money and buy the Elite edition. Unfortunately my HD went with the old XBox, so I am restarting this dynasty. I am making a small change this go around, as playing with UAB just became absurdly hard. I am not making it much easier, now playing as DC with 2* prestige UCLA in a loaded PAC 12, but it'll be more fun.

I also edited conferences more and will post those soon.

[DeToxRox]

Sliders

Options
Difficulty- All-American
Recruiting -All American
Quarter Length-8min
Game Speed- Slow or Normal
Speed Threshold- 25-30 (This is the sweetspot this year for speed threshold)

Penalties
Offsides: 74
False Start: 67
Holding: 52
Facemask: 60
Offensive PI: 100
Defensive PI: 100
KR/PR Interference: 100
Clipping: 58
Intentional Grounding: 100
Roughing the Passer: 52
Roughing the Kicker: 100

Sliders (User/CPU)

Offense
QBA- 35/50
Pass BLK- 50/55
WR Catch- 45/45
RBA- 55/65
Run Block- 55/55

Defense
Pass Coverage- 50/50
Pass Rush- 50/50
Int- 35/35
Run Defense- 25/55
Tkl- 40/40

Special Teams
FG Power- 50/55
FGA- 35/45
Punt Power- 50/50
Punt ACC- 30/50
Kick Off Power- 45/55

[DeToxRox]

UCLA Hires Who?

Marred by budget cutbacks at the school, UCLA has been forced to attempt to save money in many of its programs. The athletic department was not spared from these forced cutbacks. With the Defensive Coordinator position yet to be filled on Rick Neuheisel's staff it became evident to many that a big name hire was not going to be feasible. Yet, a no name hire was not expected either.

That is exactly what has happened however, as the Bruins have announced 27 year old Buster Stallworth, a Bay Area High School coach, as their DC. The energetic Stallworth had played football for North Carolina before a knee injury ended is unspectacular career. He did however GA at NC before moving to California to accept a head coaching job in the high school ranks.

In a release from the University, Stallworth promised that his defenses would attack from all over and play until the whistle. The usual coaching rhetoric did nothing to dispel the dismay of the hire by Bruins fans.

With the season just months away, Stallworth must not attempt to get his defense into shape in the new look, offensive minded PAC 14.

[DeToxRox]

Conference Armageddon Explodes

Just when things looked like they couldn't get any crazier in college football, conference Armageddon has yet again broke out. Nearly every conference has gone through changes, though some have experienced much greater change than others. As it now stands, the conferences are as followed:

ACC

Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Gained: None
Lost: Miami and Florida State

Big 12

North

Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State

South

Arkansas, Baylor, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech

Gained: TCU and Arkansas
Lost: None

Big East

North

Cincinnati, UConn, Penn State, Pitt, Rutgers, Syracuse

South

ECU, Louisville, Miami, UCF, USF, West Virginia

Gained: ECU, Miami, Penn State, UCF

Big Ten

Leaders

Illinois, Iowa, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Purdue, Wisconsin

Legends

Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern

Gained: Notre Dame
Lost: Penn State

Conference USA

Marshall, Memphis, Rice, Southern Miss, Tulane, Tulsa, UAB, UTEP

Gained: None
Lost: ECU, Houston, SMU, UCF

Independents

Army, Western Kentucky

MAC

East

Bowling Green, Buffalo, Ken State, Miami, Navy, Ohio, Temple

West

Akron, Ball State, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Toledo, Western Michigan

Gained: Navy
Lost: None

Mountain West

Air Force, Colorado State, Houston, Nevada, New Mexico, SMU, UNLV, Wyoming

Gained: Houston, Nevada, SMU
Lost: Boise State, San Diego State, TCU

PAC 12

North

BYU, Cal, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, Washington, Washington State

South

Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, Colorado, UCLA, USC, Utah

Gained: Boise State and BYU
Lost: None

SEC

East

Florida, Florida State, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

West

Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss

Gained: Florida State
Lost: Arkansas

Sun Belt

Arkansas State, FIU, Floria Atlantic, Middle Tennessee State, North Texas, Troy, UL Lafayette, UL Monroe

Gained: None
Lost: None

WAC

Fresno State, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana Tech, New Mexico State, San Diego State, San Jose State, Utah State

Gained: San Diego State
Lost: Nevada

[DeToxRox]

UCLA Schedule

W1: Open
W2: @ Houston
W3: San Jose State
W4: #5 Oregon
W5: @ Oregon State
W6: @ #3 Stanford
W7: Open
W8: #8 Boise State
W9: @ Arizona
W10: Eastern Michigan
W11: #25 Arizona State
W12: @ Utah
W13: @ Colorado
W14: USC

[DeToxRox]

UCLA Defensive Breakdown

DL

Under Buster Stallworth the Bruins plan to deploy a 3-4 base defense which right now doesn't really jive with the personnel of their team, but Stallworth has promised to get creative in an effort to fix that problem. The starting DL will consist of Sophmore DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa (73), Junior DE Damien Holmes (76) and Sophmore NT Cassius Marsh (78). Both Owa and Marsh are young kids who could become First Team All PAC-14 players in the future while Holmes should provide a steady presence on the DL.

LB's

At the heart of the 3-4 are the LBs and here UCLA has its positional strength on defense. Sophmore OLB Isaiah Bowens (73) has the potential to be a decent pass rusher while opposite him is the best player on the entire Bruins roster, Senior Sean Westgate (88). Westgate is undersized for a 3-4 OLB but he is just too good to not let loose on QBs. Patrolling the middle is Sophmore MLB Jordan Zumwalt (79) and Junior MLB Patrick Larimore (73). Both of these guys should put up great numbers for us.

Secondary

Junior CBs Sheldon Price (81) and Aaron Hester (80) make up one of the sturdiest CB duos in the entire conference. They aren't spectacular, but they are solid and we'll need them in with all of the high powered offenses we'll be facing. At FS is Junior Dalton Hilliard (78), while at SS is our second best player, Senior Tony Dye (88). Both of these guys add to our solid secondary, though Dye has the potential on any given down to make an impact play.

All in all we have a young but relatively talented defense that will only get better as time wears on.

[DeToxRox]

Week 2: UCLA (0-0) @ Houston (0-0)

Well this will be fun. Houston brings back Chase Keenum (95) after an injury caused him to miss almost all of the 2010 season. Not only do they feature Keenan, but they also may have the best pair of WR's of any Mid Major as Patrick Edwards (92) and Tyron Carrier (90) are both dynamic play makers. We're going to have to get to Houston fast, otherwise this has the makings of a nasty game.

First Quarter

- We win the toss and defer. Better to just jump right into the fire. The first play from scrimmage seems like a terrible omen as Keenum completes a 33 yard pass down the sideline. Then however we are able to get a stop on first down. A sack from Holmes on second down and a pass breakup on third down. A great start to the game.

- Our offense goes three and out and Houston comes back on the field. For some reason I accidentally hit watch play so I had no control over what happened next, but wouldn't you know it, Keenum hits Carrier down the seam for a 48 yard TD. Well, that sucked. Houston 7-0.

- Our offense picks us up on the next drive, as Brehaut drives us down the field. We get to the 13 after a pass + face mask, where Franklin is able to run 13 yards into the endzone! Of course good news for us cannot come without the bad. Franklin is hurting in the endzone. We won't know the situation for a bit. 7-7

- Another stop for our D has confidence running high. That confidence is put to the test following a Brehaut pick around our 30. Houston is able drive down inside our 15 but on 3rd and 3 they run an option. Hilliard steps in front of the pitch and is able to give us the ball back.

Second Quarter

- And that turnover turns into seven for us as Brehaut leads a great drive down the field. The biggest play of the drive comes on a 43 yard pass on 3rd and 10. We get inside the redzone and Brehaut throws a seed for an 11 yard TD. UCLA 14-7

- Ugh. On the first place from scrimmage we go aggressive and it burns us. Our DB tries stepping in front of a pass but it sails over his head allowing Carrier to catch and run 80 yards for the TD. 14-14

- Carrier is my enemy. Houston calls a PA pass and we send the house. We are able to hit Keenum but it's a split second too late as he throws a beauty to the corner of the endzone. Carrier just blows by the FS and catches the ball in stride in the endzone for his third of the day. Houston 21-14

- God bless our offense. Brehaut hits a 45 yard pass on 3rd and 5 to put us down at the 4, and then Franklin's replacement Derrick Coleman takes the hand off for a 5 yard TD. 21-21

- Well, we'll take this one I suppose. Houston again drives right down the field, with Keenum amassing 300 yards in the first fucking half already. Still, we're able to hold tight on 3rd and 8 and we force a Houston FG. Houston 24-21

- Wow. This is intense. After starting at 28 with 40 seconds left, the O throws caution to the wind, throwing all over the Houston D. Then, after a 20 yard pass takes us to the Houston 42 Brehaut hits Marvay for a 42 yard TD to give us the lead! UCLA 28-24

Third Quarter

- Another 3rd and long for our O, and another big completion as Brehaut hits Rosario for 73 yards to put him over 300 on the day! We are not able to punch it in but we do get the FG to put us up 7. UCLA 31-24

- Fuck my life. We call the perfect play for every possible scenario .. but one. Our CB blitz gets to Keenum right as he throws, but his throw is a WR Screen to Edwards who just takes off down the sidelines for a 53 yard TD. Ugh. 31-31

- Our offense is able to go back down the field but fails to get in the endzone so we again settle for 3. With our bad my D is playing, they may need to kick it into overdrive. UCLA 34-31

- As maligned as our D has been all game, we put faith in our secondary to make plays and they finally reward us as Price, in man coverage, is able to pick off a poorly thrown ball from Keenum!

- Of course our O gets bad news as Derrick Coleman is now out for the game putting us down to our 3rd string RB Malcolm Jones. I lied though. As Jones runs for 20 on his first run and then a beautiful option run by Brehaut fakes everyone out and he pitches to Jones who has 52 yards of daylight in front of him for the TD! UCLA 41-31

- Houston gets sneaky on us on 3rd and 1. They lineup in the shotgun but they call their first designed run of the game and we are not ready at all for it. It nets them a 33 yard TD to keep them in it. UCLA 41-38

Fourth Quarter

- Our offense faces a 3rd and 23 but decides to come out firing. Houston is in a soft zone and Brehaut finds Harkey for 32 yards! Then we come back with a pass to Fauria for 19, and finally a big pass up the seams to Rice Jr for 25 yards and a huge TD! UCLA 48-38

- We drive down the field after a big stop. Four Houston penalties set us up with 1st and goal from their one. We aren't able to punch it in but we do settle for 3 more big points. UCLA 51-38

- We keep pressuring Keenum but it catches up to us this time as they march down the field before scoring on a 7 yard TD pass. They won't go away. UCLA 51-45

- We recover the onside kick and now we're facing 4th and 1 with 1:30 left and no time outs from the Houston 35. We go for it and Jones picks up the first and that will end it!

Final Score

UCLA 51 - 45

Keenum threw for 526 yards and 5 TD but we had 5 sacks and two turnovers and at the end of the day we did just enough to get by.

It should be noted Brehaut had 480 yards and 3 TD himself.

Pretty crazy game.

[DeToxRox]

Week 2: UCLA (1-0) vs San Jose State (0-1)

We better take care of SJSU with minimal damage. Their two best players are sophmore WR Noel Grigsby (71) and senior HB Brandon Rutley (70). Clearly not much firepower here so we should handle business.

First Quarter

- Yawn. Our O just marches down the field before Franklin takes it 34 yards for the score. 7-0 UCLA

- This will be ugly. SJSU's 3rd play is a pick six from Hilliard. UCLA 14-0

- We get cocky and run an eight man blitz that leaves us empty over the middle. SJSU's WR takes it 55 yards to our 1. We manage to stop them on the first two downs but we can't stop their TE from leaking into the flats for an easy score. UCLA 14-7

Second Quarter

- Our O was stagnant for two drives but we bail them out. Then our O gets back into gear when Franklin runs off tackle 53 yards for the score. UCLA 21-7

Third Quarter

- We are just thrashing this poor SJSU offense. We are up to six sacks early in the third and just under no threat. Meanwhile Franklin adds his third TD of the day with a 9 yard run. UCLA 28-7

- Brehaut hits Embree for a 75 yard bomb and that has to be all she wrote. UCLA 35-7

Fourth Quarter

- With the subs in it's just time to finish this out. Jones punches one in for us after a long drive. UCLA 42-7

- We nail a WR, ball pops free and it turns into a 65 yard TD for us. UCLA 49-7

Final Score

UCLA 49 - 7

We end up with 7 sacks as a team. Zumwalt and Westgate each had 2. Zumwalt also added 10 total tackles. All in all a good effort.

[DeToxRox]

Week 4: UCLA (2-0) vs #13 Oregon (1-1)

Oregon is coming off a shocking loss to Nevada but it wasn't their offenses fault. The Ducks offense has scored over 90 points so far in two games, and now we have to try and figure out a way to slow them down. If we can hold them under 30 our offense may be able to do just enough to win this one.

First Quarter

- Our offense has a nice drive down the field but once inside the red zone the Ducks defense stiffens up big time, recording a big third down sack and forcing us to settle on 3. UCLA 3-0

- We gear up on the first play with press man coverage and we send three. It turns out to be a disaster as Oregon dials up a deep throw. Thomas connects with Huff who is just too fast for our DB and just like that the Ducks lead. Oregon 7-3

- With Oregon driving down the field we decide to finally drop into a zone coverage and pays off as Zumwalt steps right in front of a slant route for the INT.

Second Quarter

- We have an absolute battle on our hands midway through the second as our D is not relenting in its attack. We even take LeMichael James out for two weeks with a bruised shoulder after a big hit. Sadly though we give up a 3rd and 13 and a few plays later the Ducks are in the endzone on an 8 yard TD pass. Oregon 14-3

- Ugh. Our offense has a huge screw up on the next series after getting the ball into Oregon territory. Brehaut tries to run an option but makes an awful pitch that the Ducks defender bats into the backfield. One of their LBs scoops it up and scores. What a momentum shift. Oregon 21-3

- And this game is over. Oregon gets it back after a 3 and out and then run a beautiful option play to the weakside of our defense. With only an LB between the QB and RB there is no chance for us to stop them, and next thing you know Oregon has a 63 yard TD. Oregon 28-3

- We show some signs of life late in the half when a Westgate blitz connects with Thomas as he is throwing the ball allowing an easy INT for Zumwalt, his second of the game.

Third Quarter

- Sigh. Well, it's officially a wrap after Thomas throws a beautiful pass to Huff who catches it over the shoulder right in the endzone. Not much else to say about this one. Oregon 35-3

- Oregon gets another TD through the air, this time from 6 yards out. It's just ugly now. Oregon 42-3

Fourth Quarter

- It's all subs from here on out so I just sim it out. We end up adding 10 points but that's all there is to talk about.

Final Score

Oregon 48-10

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

UCLA Hires Who?

Marred by budget cutbacks at the school, UCLA has been forced to attempt to save money in many of its programs. The athletic department was not spared from these forced cutbacks. With the Defensive Coordinator position yet to be filled on Rick Neuheisel's staff it became evident to many that a big name hire was not going to be feasible. Yet, a no name hire was not expected either.

That is exactly what has happened however, as the Bruins have announced 27 year old Buster Stallworth, a Bay Area High School coach, as their DC. The energetic Stallworth had played football for North Carolina before a knee injury ended is unspectacular career. He did however GA at NC before moving to California to accept a head coaching job in the high school ranks.

In a release from the University, Stallworth promised that his defenses would attack from all over and play until the whistle. The usual coaching rhetoric did nothing to dispel the dismay of the hire by Bruins fans.

With the season just months away, Stallworth must not attempt to get his defense into shape in the new look, offensive minded PAC 14.

Wouldn't surprise me. Are you using default rosters because UCLA got hosed in them.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Wouldn't surprise me. Are you using default rosters because UCLA got hosed in them.

Yep. I was surprised at some of the ratings.

[DeToxRox]

Week 5: UCLA (2-1) @ Oregon State (1-2)

- We started out the game with a nice drive that culminated in a 14 yard TD pass from Brehaut to Fauria to put us up 7-0.

- Of course they drive down the field on our defense and score on a 13 yard TD pass to tie it up.

- We then give up a 75 yard TD run on a nice run by McCants. He broke two tackles and went off to the races to make it 14-7 OSU.

- An 8 yard connection from Brehaut to Embree tied it up midway through the second.

- Of course, McCants is able to score again, this time from 1 yard out on a 4th and 1 to give OSU the lead.

- OSU makes it 28-14 going into the half after a Brehaut fumble at our 18. OSU turns it into an 11 yard TD pass.

- We get our own 70 yard TD run from Jones in the 3rd. Malcolm is our starting HB now with Franklin out 8 weeks and Dixon done for the season.

- A 22 yard FG for OS puts them up 31-21 and that is the way she finishes.

Final Score

Oregon State 31 - 21

We did get good news before the game at least as 4* MLB Aaron Lowe (6'1, 224 lbs) out of Buena Park, CA commits to us. He is everything we are looking for in an MLB in our 3-4 D so that is big for us.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Yep. I was surprised at some of the ratings.

Can't give a two star prestige school too many good players

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Can't give a two star prestige school too many good players

At least most of the guys on the D who are young are having good years. Hopefully they progress quite a bit after this year otherwise it'll be awful.

[DeToxRox]

Week 6: UCLA (2-2) @ #6 Stanford (3-1)

Coming into this game we decided we needed to just go for broke and hit Luck every single time he went back to pass. For the first half the plan was amazing. We took a 13-0 lead into the second quarter, and even with Luck getting hot in the second quarter, we still had Stanford to two FG's, taking a 13-6 lead into half time.

The third quarter became a nightmare though, as Luck was able to connect on two TD passes to put Stanford up 20-13. We continued our assault on Luck, picking up six sacks throughout the day, but a 73 yard TD run from Taylor (How many 70 yard TD runs can one team allow?) put us down 27-13 going into the fourth.

Brehaut took us down the field in the fourth, scoring two minutes into the quarter to put us down 7. Then we were able to force a fumble and give us a chance to tie it. Brehaut took us down to the 7 where we faced a 4th and 1. A give to Malcolm Jones was broken up behind the LOS though and our chances at tying the game went with it.

Final Score

Stanford 27 - UCLA 20

We were happy with the effort, but a loss is still just that.

[DeToxRox]

Week 7: Open

We spend the week recruiting and preparing for yet another brutal test. This time we will be welcoming the #1 ranked Boise State Broncos to the Rose Bowl. Boise had the game of the year earlier this year, beating then #2 Stanford 52-49. Kellen Moore has an outrageous 22 TD to just 2 INT, so we expect to be tested through the air from the get go.

[DeToxRox]

Week 8: UCLA (2-3) vs #1 Boise State (4-0)

We needed a hot start and we got it as Brehaut connected with Embree for a 20 yard score. Our defense then kept the pressure on Moore and got us the ball back where Brehaut once again was able to get us in the endzone on an 18 yard pass to Roasario. Things looked bleak for a moment though, as Moore hit Hiwat for an 80 yard TD when we brought the house and paid dearly for not getting to the QB, but all was right with the world as Malcolm Jones rumbled in for a 3 yard score to give us a 21-7 lead after 1.

In the second we were able to add a FG, though Boise's RB Martin was able to run 25 yard for a score to make it 24-14. Rather then roll over and die, we instead get another Brehaut to Embree hook up, this time from 19 yards out to give us a 31-14 lead at the break.

In the third Boise had a long drive that ended in a 7 yard TD pass from Moore to Shoemaker to make it 31-21. The score stayed that way headed into the fourth.

In the fourth Martin scores on a 53 yard option play we did not see coming. It was the only time they ran it all day and we got hit hard by it. With the score 31-28, things were tight, but our offense manufactured two more FG's and with that we pulled off a miracle 37-28 win against the #1 team in the nation!

Final Score

UCLA 37 - Boise State 28

Embree was the POG, hauling in 11 catches for 180 yards and 2 TD. Brehaut actually had 392 yards through the air but did have two big picks in the second half that almost cost us.

Our defense had another big night despite the big plays, collecting 5 more sacks, with both Marsh and Holmes getting two apiece.

[DeToxRox]

Week 9: UCLA (3-3) @ Arizona (2-4)

We face another highly touted QB this week in Nick Foles, pushing us to four games where we have faced a 90 or better overall QB. Thankfully their is not the same type of offense at Arizona that the other schools we've faced possessed.

This was just an out and out war. Arizona scored early on a 17 yard screen pass from Foles to Antolin to go up 7-0. We couldn't do much else for the remainder of the quarter and we headed into the second down 7-0.

Starting the second we had a big pass play from Brehaut to Embree, and then Brehaut hit Rosario for a 6 yard strike to tie the game up. Arizona however would have a big PR and though we forced a 3 and out despite the bad field position, the Wildcats still connected on a 30 yard FG to take a 10-7 lead into theh alf.

With the offensive output by us looking bleak at best, our defense takes matters in its own hands, creating a fumble off of a sack which Marsh took back to the 3. One play later James takes it in for the score. We are on our 4th RB btw, as the other three are all hurt, though Franklin is due back soon.

In the 4th we are able to get a FG with 1:05 left to go up 17-10. Our defense allows a big play on a crossing route but thankfully we make one last stand inside the goal line, culminating in a Zumwalt sack on 3rd down that ended the game.

Final Score

UCLA 17 - Arizona 10

Marsh is turning into a beast for us, collecting two more sacks plus his fumble recovery. Larimore also added 2 sacks of his own as we collected 6 as a unit.

[DeToxRox]

Week 10: UCLA (4-3) vs Eastern Michigan (3-4)

I won't even bother with many specifics here as it was just a beating by us on a very outclassed opponent. Price did have an 81 yard pick six, but that was about the only individual performance worth noting.

We did have a huge group of visitors for this one which is exciting so we hope that pays off.

Anyway, yeah.

Final Score

UCLA 31 - Eastern Michigan 0

[DeToxRox]

Week 11: UCLA (5-3) vs Arizona State (3-6)

We're headed into a big game for us as a win makes us bowl eligible and all but assures us of moving up to a 3* prestige. Arizona State is a mess right now with plenty of offensive starters injured but their defense is still impressive, as is evident by them totally handling out offense in the first quarter. If it weren't for a Zumwalt sack and strip that we recover inside their 20 and then convert into 3 points we would have been blanked in the first.

The second quarter sees us go up 6-0 with another Smith FG, but ASU gets on the board after a nice 19 yard TD pass on a wheel route where their RB ended up in man coverage on an LB. No chance for us there.

We headed into the break down 7-6. Our defense is great outside that one play but theirs is better. Once again we squander good field position and must settle for a Smith FG, but at least we're up now 9-7. Of course that goes away at the end of the third after we pin ASU deep following a punt. They get 10 yards on first down, then connect on an 81 yard bomb to go up 14-9.

Finally our offense comes alive in the 4th quarter. Brehaut his Barr for a 20 yard TD, but our 2pc fails so we're up 15-14. Our defense battles hard the rest of the game keeping ASU off of the scoreboard and then with under a minute left Malcolm Jones is able to score from one yard out to give us the 22-14 lead and ultimately the win!

Final Score

UCLA 22 - Arizona State 14

Of note today is that Richard Brehaut went 9 of 32 for 174 yards but he did have two TD's with no turnovers. It was ugly, but we'll take it.

[DeToxRox]

We have a ton of soft verbals, but three more players have pledged to UCLA:

3* SS Jason Mendoza (6'6, 194 lbs), 67.00 SPARQ, from Hollywood, CA. The kid is incredibly intriguing based on size alone. Very raw however.

3* MLB Josh Fulton (6'2, 249 lbs), 64.00 SPARQ, from Bellflower, CA. Fulton is the thumper inside we need in the 3-4. Whereas 4* Aaron Lowe will be the guy freed up to make more plays.

3* DE Reggie McCollum (6'2, 249 lbs), 63.00 SPARQ, from San Ramon, CA. McCollum is an undersized DE for the 3-4 but he should get up to the 260 range by the time he is ready to play.

Week 12: UCLA (6-2) @ Utah (7-2)

Once again our offense comes out with no rhythm at all. Our D forces a punt though and Embree has a nice return. Of course, we do nothing and settle for 3. Then the Utes put together a nice drive, taking it inside our five and chewing up a solid three minutes. We can't do anything right on the drive. They cap it off with a 4 yard TD pass and lead 7-3 after one.

The second quarter is a stalemate as neither D will give an inch. Each QB has a pick during the quarter .

In the third quarter the Utes go up 10-3 after a pretty incredible 51 yard FG. Thankfully Brehaut comes up big with a 59 yard D pass to Harkey to tie it up. Our defense gets burnt on an 18 yard PA pass though as the quarter is near a close and we go down 17-10 headed into the 4th.

Thankfully our D mans up and our offense gets clicking. Embree scores on a 4 yard pass capping off a 85 yard drive to start the fourth to tie it up. Then Malcolm Jones is able cap off a 60 yard drive with a 1 yard TD run to give us a 24-17 lead. We then add a 28 yard FG to go up ten and that does it.

Final Score

UCLA 27 - Utah 17

Utah was not as good as their record indicated, though they still gave us fits at times. It's frustrating watching the computer move the ball on offense, or in our case, not. Still, they came through when it counted.

[MrBug708]

Good stuff!

[MrBug708]

Have you guys gotten any offensive kids yet?

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Have you guys gotten any offensive kids yet?

Just landed an OL for the next update. My issue is I keep forgetting I need to actually recruit offensive kids, though we seem to be fairly well stocked on that side of the ball in terms of numbers. Next year I am going to really make an effort to focus on the offense in general more.

I am also quite happy how easy my schedule has been the last half of the season. Utah wasn't much better rated than us, so despite a 7-2 record it wasn't much to overcome.

I chalk up the improvement mostly to giving up on the hit stick unless absolutely certain I will get the guy and I stopped calling a ton of zone.

[DeToxRox]

We get more good news before the game against Colorado as five more kids have officially pledged to the Bruins.

3* CB Robert Herring (5''11, 172 lbs), 67.00 SPARQ, from Westmont, CA. Herring is a decent sized DB who is known for his hitting. Will need time to develop.

3* CB Jesse Howard (6'1, 182 lbs), 67.00 SPARQ from Beverly Hills, CA. Howard possesses the height we want out of our DBs and like Herring, is a vicious tackler.

3* OG Steven Long (6'4, 304 lbs), 57/00 SPARQ, from Pico Rivera, CA. Long is our first OL commit of the class and he could end up a solid player in the distant future. He projects as a damn good run blocker but needs work in pass blocking.

3* ATH Carlos McQueen (6'1, 184 lbs), 67.00 SPARQ, from Beverly Hills, CA. McQueen is an intriguing athlete who will likely end up slotted at WR, though we will test him in the secondary as well.

3* DE Derrick Wise (6'4, 233 lbs), 63.00 SPARQ, from Laguna Hills, CA. Wise is another undersized 3-4 DE but he should end up a solid contributor down the road.

Week 13: UCLA 7-3 @ Colorado (4-6)

The first quarter is the Embree show, as Brehaut connects with him on TD passes of 42 and 39 yards to give us a 14-0. Meanwhile the defense is just beating up on the Buffs who cannot get anything going at all.

The second quarter is much of the same, though this time it's Malcolm Jones who scores from 2 yards out to give us a 21-0 lead. Our defense holds tight and heads into the half with a shutout intact.

In the third quarter it's once again a 2 yard TD run from Malcolm Jones that increases our lead to 28-0. With under a minute to go in the quarter the Buffs do score on a 27 yard FG but at this point it's basically over the backups start coming in.

In the fourth quarter we add our own FG to go up 31-3. Colorado does manage to get into the endzone however, as Stewart scores on a 17 yard TD run, but it was on the second team D.

Final Score

UCLA 31 - Colorado 10

We had 5.5 sacks today, with Zumwalt picking up 2.5 himself. Marsh also added another sack, putting him near the nations overall lead.

[DeToxRox]

Week 14: #24 UCLA (8-3) vs USC (7-4)

The game couldn't have gotten off to a worse start as Marc Tyler gave USC the early lead following a nice 16 yard TD run. Our offense was able to drive and get 3 back shortly after, only to watch the defense then give up a 38 yard TD run to Tyler to make it 14-3 after one. It seemed like no matter what we did USC had an answer.

USC moves to 24-3 following an 81 yard screen pass to Tyler (Which had two obvious clips that were not called) and then a 29 yard FG. We did manage to get some life at the end of the half when Brehaut and Embree connected for 18 yards to make it 24-10.

It's the Brehaut to Embree connection yet again in the third quarter, as Embree scores on a 56 yard bomb to pull us with within 7. That didn't last though as Barkley hit Woods on 3rd and 11 for a 43 yard TD pass where Woods just beat his man.

In the 4th Malcolm Jones was able to score from 11 yards out to make it 31-24, but our offense didn't have the comeback left in them and we fall to our rivals.

Final Score

USC 31 - UCLA 24

Marc Tyler won this game for USC with his insane first quarter, though his 81 yard TD off of the screen was pretty much bullshit with two very obvious no calls. Still, we just didn't have an aswer.

[DeToxRox]

Week 15: Open

With the open week to end the year we focus on our last week to contact recruits before the dead period. We also learn of four more solid commitments we have landed:

3* WR Nick McClain (6'2, 197 lbs), 67.00 SPARQ, from Burbank, CA. McClain is a prototypical possession WR. He won't blow you away with his speed but he'll run nice routes and hang on to the ball.

3* FS Dominique Ward (6'1, 197 lbs), 67.00 SPARQ, from Azusa, CA. Ward continues our trend of hard hitting DBs. He also has decent size though he needs to fill out more.

3* DT James Stone (6'1, 292 lbs), 57.00 SPARQ from Highland CA. Stone is a solid DT who should grow into a useful rotational NT for us.

3* DT George Lake (6'5, 290 lbs), 57.00 SPARQ from San Diego CA. Lake is much like Stone. A solid DT who probably needs a decent deal of time developing but should be able to be a rotational NT.

[DeToxRox]

2012 Conference Championship Week

Big East Championship
#14 Pitt (10-2) vs #1 Miami (12-0)
Pitt 31 - Miami 14

SEC Championship
#7 Mississippi State (10-2) vs #11 Florida State (9-3)
Miss State 31 - FSU 0

PAC 14 Championship
#3 Stanford (11-1) vs #5 Boise State (11-1)
Stanford 35 - Boise State 21

Big 10 Championship
#12 Ohio State (9-3) vs #6 Michigan State (11-1)
Michigan State 45 - Ohio State 29

Big 12 Championship
#4 TCU (11-1) vs #2 Oklahoma (12-0)
Oklahoma 31 - TCU 13

MAC Championship
Ohio (9-3) vs Western Michigan (9-3)
WMU 17 - Ohio 10

[DeToxRox]

BCS Preview

Rose Bowl
#5 Miami (12-1) vs #6 Tulsa (11-1)
[At Large] [At Large]

Fiesta Bowl
#3 Mississippi State (11-2) vs #4 Michigan State (12-1)
[SEC Champion] [Big Ten Champion]

Orange Bowl
#7 Alabama (9-3) vs #8 TCU (11-2)
[At Large] [At Large]

Sugar Bowl
#9 Pittsburgh (11-2) vs Maryland (8-4)
[Big East Champion] [ACC Champion]

BCS Title Game
#1 Oklahoma (13-0) vs #2 Stanford (12-1)
[Big 12 Champion] [Pac 14 Champion]

[DeToxRox]

2012 Heisman

HB Ed Wesley won the 2012 Heisman. The RS Junior out of TCU ran for 1373 yards and 18 TD, while also catching 24 balls for 343 yards and 4 TD. He beat out Houston QB Chase Keenum, Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill, Pitt RB Ray Graham and Boise State QB Kellen Moore.

[DeToxRox]

UCLA Award Winners

MLB Jordan Zumwalt: The true sophmore MLB was honored for is incredible season by picking up 1st Team All American and 1st Team All PAC 14 honors. Zumwalt's incredible year consisted of 87 tackles, 9.5 sacks and 2 interceptions.

SS Tony Dye: The senior SS capped off an amazing career at UCLA by earning 2nd Team All American and 2nd Team All Pac 14 honors. Dye's season included 61 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INT and 3 FF.

DT Cassius Marsh: Our true sophmore NT had an amazing season but somehow missed out on being named an All American. Still he was recognized as a first team All PAC 14 member as he had an incredible 8.5 sacks on the year.

WR Taylor Embree: Our senior playmaker bailed us out a ton this year and was rewarded with second team All PAC 14 honors. Embree collected 60 catches for 1,015 yards and 9 TD on the season.

[DeToxRox]

Texas Bowl: UCLA (8-4) vs Purdue (6-6)

We come to the Texas Bowl on New Years Eve as a favorite to beat the Boilermakers and we certainly look the part of the favorites early as Brehaut hits Rosario less then a minute in for a 26 yard TD to go up 7-0. Purdue drives on us but we bend, not break and force them to settle for a 51 yard FG to make it 7-3.

The second quarter sees a nice drive by our O chew up clock and turn into 7 after a 3 yard pass from Brehaut to Harkey. Once again Purdue answers with a FG, but it's okay because our D continues to hammer Mavre and hasn't shown much in the way of being in danger.

We add to our lead in the third when Jonathan Franklin, who after being reinjured shortly after his initial comeback was able to score on a 3 yard run to make it 21-6.

The fourth quarter sees a flurry of action after a fairly boring game. First Brehaut and Rosario connect again, this time from 17 yards to make it 28-6. Purdue answers with a pass from Mavre to Bolden, plus a two point conversion. Of course we answer as Franklin is able to score again, this time a yard run that basically ices the game. Purdue does add a garbage time TD and FG to make the score respectable but it never was really close.

Final Score

UCLA 34 - Purdue 24

A solid bowl win to end the season has expectations high going into the offseason.

[DeToxRox]

BCS Results

Rose Bowl: Tulsa continue its miracle season with an amazing 34-21 upset of the Hurricanes.

Fiesta Bowl: Michigan State capped off its best season ever by beating the other MSU of Mississippi State 41-24.

Orange Bowl: In a thriller that ended up going to OT, TCU was able to outlast Alabama 27-24 thanks in large part for a 161 yard effort from Heisman winning RB Ed Wesley.

Sugar Bowl: In the BCS game no one cared about, Pitt handled Maryland 28-14. Yes, the game was more boring then the match up sounded.

BCS Championship: In probably the most BCS Title Game since 2001, the Oklahoma Sooners capped off a perfect 14-0 season by beating Stanford 45-38 in OT.

[Izulde]

Congratulations on rallying from a sputtering start!

[DeToxRox]

2012 Coaching Carousel

There are HC vacancies once the smoke clears; Boston College and NC State. Frank Spaziani retried from his post at BC and the leading candidates to takeover are Texas Tech OC Neal Brown, Pitt DC Keith Patterson and Oregon State DC Mark Banker.

Tom O'Brien's NC State deal has expired without an extension though he is still the front runner to coach the Wolfpack come 2012-13.

Boston College ends up going with a defensive minded coach, as they hire Pitt DC Keith Patterson to be their new HC.

Tom O'Brien and NC State come to terms on a new 3 year contract to keep him in charge of the Wolfpack.

In somewhat startling news, UCF decided to fire George O'Leary after a 7-6 season. They are looking to Neal Brown, Mark Banker and Mississippi State DC Geoff Collins to fill their vacancy. In the end, UCF goes with Mark Banker, DC of Oregon State to be its new head coach.

Ohio, coming off of a season in which they went 10-4 is now in the market for a new head man itself as Frank Solich has decided to call it quits. Ohio DC Jim Burrow, Geoff Collins and Fresno State DC Randy Stewart are all candidates for the gig. In the end Ohio goes with Miss. State DC Geoff Collins.

Navy, who many thought would win the MAC ended up with a disappointing 6-6 mark decided not to retain Ken Niumatalolo. In an effort to improve their defense they have hired Fresno State DC Randy Stewart.

Minnesota realized hiring Jerry Kill was a bad move following a 4-8 season and are on the lookout for a new HC. They end up hiring Baylor OC Randy Clements to take over the job.

In the process of the Carousel, Buster Stallworth was a finalist for DC gigs with Oregon State and Pitt, while also being offered the DC job with Baylor.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Izulde

Congratulations on rallying from a sputtering start!

Gracias. It was pretty damn frustrating early on.

[DeToxRox]

UCLA Players Leaving

- We lose on player to the Pro Draft, that being our LT Brett Downey (80 OV). He had a good year but this was a bad choice for him.

[MrBug708]

Brett Downey?

Ahahaha...a walkon...

[MrBug708]

Brett Downey?

Ahahaha...a walkon...