NCAA 11: Bringing the Triple Option to LA (UCLA Bruins Dynasty)

[nredfoot]

2011 UCLA Season Preview


Offense (Starter/2nd string)
QB - #14 Kevin Prince Jr(RS) 82 Ovr / #17 Darius Bell So(RS) 73 Ovr
WB - #23 Johnathan Franklin Jr(RS) 86 Ovr / #25 Damien Thigpen So(RS) 79 Ovr
WB - #27 Malcolm Jones Fr(RS) 79 Ovr / #33 Derrick Coleman Sr 83 Ovr
FB #33 Derrick Coleman Sr 83 Ovr / #36 Jayson Allmond So(RS) 74 Ovr
WR - #83 Nelson Rosario Sr 90 Ovr / #28 Josh Smith Sr(RS) 89 Ovr
WR - #82 Taylor Embree Sr 90 Ovr / #85 Jerry Johnson Jr(RS) 83 Ovr
TE - #87 Cory Harkey Sr 77 Ovr / #7 Morrell Presley Jr 76 Ovr
LT - #78 Brett Downey Jr(RS) 82 Ovr / #75 Kody Innes So 77 Ovr
LG - #60 Jeff Baca Sr 86 Ovr / #65 Jimmy Bradford Fr 73 Ovr
C - #51 Kai Maiava Sr(RS) 80 Ovr / #53 Greg Capella Fr(RS) 76 Ovr
RG - #70 David Andrews Fr 74 Ovr / #74 Micah Kia Jr 74 Ovr
RT - #44 Mike Harris Sr(RS) 74 Ovr / #76 Terrence George Fr 73 Ovr

There is a lot of experience in this group. The WR position is by far the most talented which is ironic considering this will be an option offense. So don't be surprised to see the Bruins air it out some. Up front there are 3 senior starters. The left side of the line is the most stout and will most likely be the side run too more often. It will be interesting to see if freshman David Andrews can stay in front of junior Micah Kia all season.

Defense
LE - #56 Datone Jones Sr 84 Ovr / #97 Damien Holmes Jr 76 Ovr
RE - #2 Owamagbe Odighizuwa Fr(RS) 73 Ovr / #59 Keenan Graham So(RS) 72 Ovr
DT - #98 Cassius Marsh Fr(RS) 79 Ovr / #91 Reggie Turner Fr 73 Ovr
DT - #99 Justin Edison Sr(RS) 77 Ovr / #95 Seali I Epenesa Fr(RS) 69 Ovr
LB - #10 Akeem Ayers Sr(RS) 90 Ovr / #43 Steve Sloan Sr(RS) 78 Ovr
LB - #11 Sean Westgate Sr 80 Ovr / #58 Eric Kendricks So 76 Ovr
CB - #21 Aaron Hester Jr 85 Ovr / #31 Anthony Jefferson Fr(RS) 75 Ovr
CB - #22 Sheldon Price Jr 84 Ovr / #4 Stan McKay So 76 Ovr
SD - #6 Tony Dye Sr 81 Ovr / #20 Greg Love Sr(RS) 75 Ovr
WD - #4 Stan McKay So 77 Ovr / #40 Michael Cooper Fr 74 Ovr
Robber - #3 Rahim Moore Sr 87 Ovr / #4 Stan McKay So 79 Ovr

There is a ton of talent and experience on the defense. If they can understand and play with Dick Bumpas's system then this group can be very good. Watch for Akeem Ayers and Rahim Moore to be the standouts and leaders of this unit.

Special Teams
K - #18 Jeff Locke Jr(RS) 89 Ovr
P - #18 Jeff Locke Jr(RS) 89 Ovr
KR - #28 Josh Smith Sr(RS) / #82 Taylor Embree Sr
PR - #82 Taylor Embree Sr

Redshirts
WB Jim Miller 70 Ovr Fr
WB Ben Nash 69 Ovr Fr
WR Ben Taylor 70 Ovr Fr
LG Rodney Alexander 69 Ovr Fr
MLB Courtney Houston 70 Ovr Fr
Dog Mike Tyson 64 Ovr Fr
Robber Neal Parrish 70 Ovr Jr


Schedule
At Houston Vs San Jose State
BYE
At #12 Oregon
Vs Oregon State
At Arizona State
Vs Washington State
At Cal
Vs #6 Stanford
BYE
Vs Arizona
Vs #7 Texas
At Washington
Vs #18 USC


It won't be an easy first year for this new staff but it shouldn't be impossible. They play 4 top 25 teams with 3 of them being at home. That opening game at Houston will be a big one and good one to see what kind of team UCLA is gonna have.


Prediction: 6-6

[nredfoot]

Preseason Top 25

NCAA Football Rankings - Coaches Poll - Updated: Aug 1,
RK	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	Alabama
2	Wisconsin
3	Florida
4	Boise State
5	Virginia Tech
6	Stanford
7	Texas
8	Oklahoma
9	TCU
10	Arkansas
11	Pittsburgh
12	Oregon
13	Auburn
14	Iowa
15	Ohio State
16	Texas A&M
17	Nebraska
18	USC
19	North Carolina
20	West Virginia
21	Florida State
22	Ole Miss
23	Tennessee
24	Georgia Tech
25	Missouri

Prediction: Alabama vs Virginia Tech

[nredfoot]

Game Preview

Matchup Preview | January 1,
	@
UCLA Bruins (, Away)		Houston Cougars (, Home)
Injury Report Game Notes UCLA's season begins in Houston, TX as they Bruins travel to take on Kevin Sumlin's Cougars. Houston will be without their stud QB Case Keenum as he opted for the NFL last season. This year's offense is headed by Cotton Turner. The junior still has some outstanding weapons on the outside in Tyron Carrier and Patrick Edwards. Charles Sims provides a threat on the ground and receiving out of the backfield. The Cougars must match up with UCLA's bigger offensive line and deal with a solid core of tailbacks. This game has 2 complete different philosophies and should be a great early test for both squads. Coso's Pick: Houston Kirk's PickL Houston Prediction: UCLA has some success against Houston's smaller D but struggles to stay with the Cougars high powered offense. 38-24 Houston

[nredfoot]

Bruins Start the Season Strong


The UCLA D came ready to play Saturday

Houston, TX -- Coach Woodson took his team east to John O'Quin Field at Robertson Stadium to take on the Houston Cougars. Houston was a two touchdown favorite and many Cougar fans were planning on a 1-0 start to the season. UCLA however came ready to play from the opening kickoff.

1st Quarter
Coach Woodson decided after winning the kickoff to take the ball first. Turns out it was his first brilliant move as a head coach. On the opening kickoff stud UCLA WR Taylor Embree made one Cougar miss and then outran the rest to set a new NCAA kick return record on a 100 yd TD return. Roberston stadium was silenced immediately as the Bruins had a 7-0 lead. Houston's first drive saw them pick up a couple first downs through the air before stalling out and having to punt. UCLA's option offense took the field. It was the passing game though that got things going. On the first two third downs, the Bruins faced 3rd and long only to complete passes to senior slot WR Josh Smith and junior WB Johnathan Franklin for first downs. Then UCLA QB Kevin Prince went to the air again, hitting Smith again for a big pickup. Once inside the redzone it was all ground and pound from there as redshirt freshman WB Malcolm Jones took the misdirection handoff in for the 3 yd score and extending the Bruin lead to 14-0. The drive ate up 74 yds and 4:04 time on 11 plays. Houston would fail to respond as after a clutch 4th down conversion run by HB Charles Sims, Cougar QB Cotton Turner would be picked off by UCLA CB Sheldon Price. The Bruins would do nothing with the ball and the quarter would end with a UCLA punt.

2nd Quarter
A 2nd down sack by Justin Edison would kill the Houston drive and lead to a 3 and out. The two teams would trade three and outs on the next two possessions but the Bruins would win the field position battle as one of Jeff Locke's punts would be downed at the 3 yd line. UCLA then would get the option going. The Bruins would put on a clinic on how the triple option attack is supposed to be run as they would march down the field. Backup FB Jayson Allmond would finish the drive off with a 2 yd TD run capping off a 6 play 46 yd scoring drive to put the score at 21-0 UCLA. Cotton Turner and the Cougar offense would move down the field and into Bruin territory on their next possession. However, the drive would stall out after 3 straight incomplete passes and they would settle for the FG cutting the UCLA lead to 21-3. That's where the score would remain heading into the half.


Taylor Embree takes the opening kickoff to the house

3rd Quarter
Houston's opening half possession would go no further than a Sims first down run. UCLA's opening possession would find paydirt. The Bruins would go to the air this time as Nelson Rosario would have all three of his catches on this drive including a 19 yd TD pass. The Bruins now lead 28-3. Houston would show some life on their next possession. On 3rd and long the Bruins secondary would have a break down in communication and Cougar WR EJ Smith would be left wide open down the field. Turner hit his man for an 80 yd TD pass cutting the score to 28-10. The comeback looked to be on for the Cougars as on the Bruins next possession, Kevin Prince would miss his man badly and throw a perfect pass to the Houston safety. But as the quarter came to a close, the Cougars OL began to struggle blocking the Bruin DL as Owamagbe Odighizuwa would get the sack.

4th Quarter
Houston would open the final period going for it on 4th down. This proved to be a bad move as backup DT Reggie Turner would blow through the Houston OL and record the sack. The rout would then be on as UCLA returned to the ground game finally finding some success again. All game true freshman RG David Andrews struggled blocking Houston DT David Turner. Coach Redfoot would call every play but the last to the left side and the Bruins would move the football. On the 9th and final play of the drive, a beautiful misdirection play set up by a great block by Andrews would give Jones his 2nd TD of the game and the Bruins the 35-10 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Houston would fumble and the Bruins would scoop and score putting the game away at 42-10. The Cougars would add a late score on the 2nd team UCLA D but the Bruins would leave Houston with the W.


Freshman WB Malcolm Jones scores his 2nd TD of the game and his career

FINAL SCORE: UCLA 42 Houston 17

Player of the Game: Taylor Embree 5 touches 149 total yds TD

Team Stats UCLA Houston

First Downs 15 14
Total Offense 276 327
3^rd Down 8-13 5-13

Turnovers 1 2
Penalties 0-0 2-7
T.O.P 20:19 11:41

Key Players
UCLA
Kevin Prince 7/9 126 yds TD INT 12 carries 20 yds
Johnathan Franklin 13 carries 62 yds 2 catches 28 yds
Derrick Coleman 10 carries 40 yds
Malcolm Jones 7 carries 22 yds 2 TD
Nelson Rosario 3 catches 60 yds TD
Tony Dye 5 tackles TFL
Justin Edison 4 tackles 2 TFL sack
Iuta Tep FR TD

Houston
Cotton Turner 19/30 246 yds 2 TD INT
Charles Sims 16 carries 102 yds 3 catches 55 yds TD
EJ Smith 8 catches 137 yds TD
David Turner 11 tackles 5 TFL
Roisean Haynes 7 tackles TFL INT
Austin Wilson 6 tackles



UP NEXT: vs San Jose State 0-1

[nredfoot]

Week 1 Rewind


Houston Win Quotes
Coach Jay Woodson on the win: "Anytime you win you are happy but to go on the road for the first game and win like we did, well then you're just ecstatic!"

DC Dick Bumpas on the play of his D: "We have a lot of veteran kids out there, so we expect a high level of play. I thought they played a heck of a game containing that high powered offense."

WB Malcolm Jones on his first 2 career TDs: "Aw man it was awesome! I'm kinda looked at as the 3rd threat back there behind D-Cole and Franklin so whenever I get the opportunity, man I'm gonna do something. I kept the ball from the first one. Gonna have that thing forever!"


Around the NCAA: Opening Weekend
- 16 pt 4^th quarter gives #24 Mizzou the road win over Arizona State
- Robert Griffin III’s 420 4 TD day carries Baylor over #9 TCU 37-26
- #23 Tennessee off to horrendous start as they are upset by North Texas 34-30 thanks to a Mean Green TD with 16 seconds to go


Week 2 Top 10

NCAA Football Rankings - AP Top 25 - Updated: Sep 3, 2011
RK	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	Alabama	1	0
2	Wisconsin	1	0
3	Florida	1	0
4	Boise State
5	Virginia Tech	1	0
6	Stanford	1	0
7	Texas	1	0
8	Oklahoma	1	0
9	Arkansas	1	0
10	Pittsburgh	1	0

Recruiting Update
It was a busy week 1 in recruiting for the Bruins. Two prospects decided to go somewhere else while UCLA got their first commit of the 2012 class. SS Terrence McCauley a 3 star prospect out of Escondido, CA gave Coach Woodson his pledge Sunday afternoon. The 6'1" 198 lbs high school senior will play one of the Dog position in Dick Bumpas's 4-2-5 defense. He has solid speed and acceleration (both are Bs) and great jumping skills as well (B-). He is better at zone coverage (C+) and is labeled as one of the top head hunters in the state this season.


The Bruins missed however on 2 other prospects. Ryan Arnold a center out of Diamond Bar, CA and G Andrew McIntire from Kingman-Butler, AZ both gave their commitments somewhere else. Arnold, a 3 star prospect, chose Arizona State over the Bruins while McIntire, also a 3 star, chose Cal. Coach Woodson and the Bruins could both see these 2 in the future seasons as they stayed in the PAC-10.


One final recruiting note is that JUCO CB Armond Awoye is visiting UCLA this weekend for the matchup against San Jose State. Awoye is a 3 star prospect from Fontana, CA who could see playing time immediately in 2012 if the Bruins could get his commitment


2012 Recruiting Class
Week 1 Commits
SS (#34) Terrence McCauley 6’1” 198 lbs *** Escondido, CA

[nredfoot]

Game Preview

Matchup Preview | January 1,
	@
San Jose State Spartans (0-1, 0-1 Away)		UCLA Bruins (1-0, Home)
Offensive Stats Comparison 6.0 (#66) Points Per Game 42.0 (#19) 216 (#66) Total Offensive Yards 276 (#50) 39 (#68) Rushing Yards 150 (#30) 177 (#56) Passing Yards 126 (#64) Defensive Stats Comparison 294 (#37) Total Yards Allowed 327 (#40) 110 (#41) Rushing Yards Allowed 81 (#26) 184 (#34) Passing Yards Allowed 246 (#48) Injury Report Game Notes San Jose State stumbles into Los Angeles after getting thumped soundly by UCLA PAC-10 rival #6 Stanford 45-6. However the Spartan defense was not that bad. The Spartan QB however was. Senior Derek Muaava threw 5 picks against Stanford. Two of those were taken back for TDs. Two others set up close scores for the Cardinal. If San Jose State has any hope of a W, that can't happen again. UCLA will look to establish the ground game quicker and more effectively this week. Look for Derek Coleman to have a big game up the middle Coso's Pick: UCLA Kirk's Pick: UCLA Prediction(0-1): This should be a blowout, 42-13 UCLA

[nredfoot]

3rd Quarter Explosion Leads To Bruin Blowout Win


UCLA's Triple Option Put Up Over 300 yds of Rushing

Los Angeles, CA -- It wasn't the greatest first half of the game for the Bruins but a big 3rd quarter helped UCLA put some distance between them and the San Jose Spartans (0-1).

1st Quarter
For the 2nd straight week UCLA won the toss and Coach Woodson decided to receive the kick. The Spartans had obviously watched the Bruin's stud senior WR Taylor Embree take the opening kickoff last week back to the house. So they did the smart thing and kicked it to senior slot WR Josh Smith..... Who promptly returned it 97 yds for the score! Making it 7-0 Bruins and the second straight week the Bruins had returned a kickoff for a TD. That would be it for the 1st quarter fireworks as the defenses would take over. UCLA's D continued their outstanding work from last week forcing two 3 and outs and stopping a fake punt attempt. Meanwhile the Bruins offense could not do anything once getting to midfield and the two teams exchanged punts. However to end the quarter, Johnathan Franklin would race into Spartan territory and have the Bruins in business.

2nd Quarter
The 2nd period would open with UCLA facing a 3rd and one at the 11 yd line of the Spartans. Coleman would be stuff at the line of scrimmage and Coach Woodson would decide to go for it. That turned out to be a poor decision as Malcolm Jones would get rocked on the pitch and fall well short of a first down. San Jose State would look for some offensive rhythm and find it. Senior QB Derek Muaava would pick up 2 first downs through the air and put the Bruins D on its heels. However redshirt freshman Owamagbe Odighizuwa or "O" as teammates call him, would beat his man off the line and hit Muaava hard forcing a fumble. The ball would fall into O's lap and the Bruins would have the ball at the Spartan 35 yd line. But UCLA's offensive woes would continue and they would go three and out. But again the D would make a play. On 3rd down, Muaava looked deep for his man but CB Aaron Hester makes a beautiful play and comes down with the INT. Again though the UCLA offense would fail. This time it would be a big fail. After a three first downs it appeared the Bruins had it figured out when disaster struck. After a beautiful draw run by Kevin Prince, the QB got rocked and fumbled the ball. The Spartans would scoop and score tying up the game at 7-7. After the score Coach Woodson lit into his offensive unit. Whatever he said worked as the Bruins came back with a veangence. Prince made up for his mistake with a long scramble to open the drive. Then a few plays later, Franklin got some good blocks and raced for 26 yd gain on the speed sweep. Then later would finish the drive off with a 4 yd TD run. SJSU would only run the clock out and the Bruins would head into half with a 14-7 lead.


Josh Smith Returns The Opening Kickoff For The 97 yd Scor

3rd Quarter
Players after the game said Coach Woodson ripped them a new one at half. No one would go into detail but apparently many manhoods were challenged on the offensive side of the ball. Well again, whatever he said worked as the 2nd half was a completely different story. On the 2nd play of the half, Muaava threw his 7th pick of the season, again intercepted by Hester. After a long Jones run, FB Derek Coleman powered through the Spartan D for his first TD of the season and extending the Bruin lead to 21-7. After another three and out by the D, the UCLA offense struck again. Taylor Embree made a nice 3rd down catch to set up the Bruins in Spartan territory. The next play, Coleman took the option pitch, ran over the SJSU CB and raced for the 38 yd score. 28-7 Bruins. The Spartan meltdown continued as on the first play of the ensuing drive, Muaava was picked off for the third time on the day (eighth time all year) by Stan McKay and it was returned all the way for the Bruin score. 35-7. Another 3 and out by the Spartans, culminating in a 3rd down sack by SD Tony Dye, put the Bruins in great field position again. The quarter would close with the UCLA having driven into the redzone but facing a 4th and 4.

4th Quarter
Jeff Locke opened the final period of play with a 27 yd FG extending the UCLA lead to 38-7. The fourth quarter started just as the 3rd one ended as the Bruin D forced another 3 and out and the UCLA offense drove down the field again. This time the scoring drive was finished off with a 32 yd run off the option pitch by Franklin. Franklin finished the day with over 130 yds rushing and 2 TDs. After that Coach Woodson decided to give the 2nd teamers some time. On D they surrendered some yardage but held on 4th down inside the redzone keeping the SJSU offense from seeing the endzone once all game. The 2nd team O did not find much success but did run the clock out and help UCLA collect their 2nd win and first one at home.


Aaron Hester Hauls In His 2nd Pick Of The Day

Final Score: San Jose State 7 UCLA 45

Player of the Game: Johnathan Franklin 14 carries 134 yds 2 TD

Team Stats (SJSU/UCLA)
First Downs 7/17
Total Offense 166/409
3^rd Downs 4-13(30%)/6-12(50%)
Penalties 1-5/3-25
T.O.P 11:56/20:04

Key Players
UCLA
Kevin Prince 4/12 56 yds 11 carries 87 yds fumble lost
Derrick Coleman 11 carries 67 yds 2 TD
Malcolm Jones 10 carries 46 yds
Taylor Embree 3 rec 34 yds
Josh Smith 97 KR TD
Stan McKay 4 tackles TFL INT 2 PD TD
O. Odighizuwa 4 tackles TFL sack FF FR
Aaron Hester tackle 2 INT



**Forgot to get the SJSU stats but they weren't that impressive"


UP NEXT: BYE week

[nredfoot]

Week 2 Rewind


San Jose State Win Quotes
Coach Jay Woodson on first half stuggles: "First off give San Jose State some credit. They were flying around out there and made things difficult for us. But once out OL stepped up and gave Kevin some better reads then we got rolling."

CB Aaron Hester on his 2 INT: "I don't wanna be mean but it was real easy to read their QB's eyes. On both of them I just let the WR get a little space to bait em into throwing it. When he did, I made the play"

WB Johnathan Franklin on his 2 TDs: "When we get rolling with this option attack man, watch out! I got some good blocking and Kevin made some nice reads, all I had to do was finish the play. I can do that all day."

**DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa Named PAC-10 Defensive Player of the Week**
Odighizuwa earned PAC-10 Defensive Player of the week honors for his 4 tackles (2 solo) TFL sack FF FR performance Saturday against SJSU



Around the NCAA: Narrow Escape in Lincoln -
- #16 Nebraska edges out Fresno State 17-10 in Lincoln
- Michigan dominates Notre Dame in Ann Arbor 48-28
- #23 TCU opens the year 0-2 after a 29-24 to Texas Tech
- #18 North Carolina pounds #24 Georgia Tech to the tune of 36-17


Week 2 Top 10

NCAA Football Rankings - Coaches Poll - Updated: Sep 3, 2011
RK	TEAM (VOTES)	W	L	POINTS
1	Alabama	2	0
2	Wisconsin	2	0
3	Florida	2	0
4	Boise State	1	0
5	Virginia Tech	2	0
6	Stanford	1	0
7	Texas	2	0
8	Oklahoma	2	0
9	Arkansas	2	0
10	Pittsburgh	2	0

2012 Recruiting Class
Week 1 Commits
SS (#34) Terrence McCauley 6’1” 198 lbs *** Escondido, CA