MOORE HELP NEEDED FOR UCLA OFFENSE STRUGGLING UNIT LOOKING TO QUARTERBACK TO BE `SPARK,' NOT `SO-CALLED SAVIOR'.Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer Matt Moore was confused about his role at UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX , uncertain regarding his injured left knee and frustrated about not playing despite feeling healthy. It was a busy two weeks. When Moore and Bruins coach Karl Dorrell Karl Dorrell (born December 18, 1963 in Alameda, California) is the first black head coach in the history of the UCLA Bruins college football team, a position he took on December 18, 2002. met Monday, those emotions quickly evaporated with the news Moore again would be UCLA's starting quarterback for tonight's game against Arizona State at the Rose Bowl. Yet, also moving to the forefront is enormous pressure for Moore to invigorate in·vig·or·ate tr.v. in·vig·or·at·ed, in·vig·or·at·ing, in·vig·or·ates To impart vigor, strength, or vitality to; animate: "A few whiffs of the raw, strong scent of phlox invigorated her" a struggling offense, maintain UCLA's standing atop the Pacific-10 Conference The Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) is a college athletic conference which operates in the western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I. Membership Full members and extend a winning streak Noun 1. winning streak - a streak of wins streak, run - an unbroken series of events; "had a streak of bad luck"; "Nicklaus had a run of birdies" that stands at four games. And Moore, a sophomore who played in high school at Hart of Newhall, is being asked to do this in his third college start. ``He's not going to be the so-called savior,'' Dorrell said. ``Hopefully, he is going to be the guy to give us a spark.'' The offense needs a jolt. UCLA (5-2, 3-0) might have four wins in a row, but its offense ranks 112th of 117 Division I-A teams in total offense at 284.7 yards per game. ``I don't think it's just the quarterback situation,'' Bruins receiver Craig Bragg Bold text Craig Milton Bragg (born March 15, 1982 in San Jose, California) is an American football wide receiver. He attended UCLA and Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, CA. said. ``(Moore) could provide a spark, and that would be great if he came in and did that. But we're not necessarily relying on him as a team. We all have to do our jobs and make his job easier. ``Nobody can take that much pressure and put it on themselves and go out there and make sure we score 40 points because he's quarterbacking.'' Moore has the tools to be a prolific passer. He is a lanky 6-foot-4 and 185 pounds, has a strong arm and a desire to throw the ball downfield down·field adv. & adj. Sports To, into, or in the defensive team's end of the field. Adj. 1. downfield - toward or in the defending team's end of the playing field; "he threw to a downfield receiver" to stretch defenses. But he also is inexperienced. Moore, who won the starting job in preseason but was injured in the first quarter of the season opener Sept. 6, is 8 of 15 for 82 yards this season. He played one complete game at UCLA, completed 53 percent of his 77 attempts in his Bruins career, threw for more than 100 yards in a game once and played about a cumulative quarter this season. Although Moore took most of the snaps in practice this week, it might not be enough to efficiently run a timing-oriented pass offense. Drew Olson Drew Olson (born April 6, 1983 in San Francisco, California) is a former starting quarterback for the University of California, Los Angeles football team, where he broke many of UCLA's passing records. was sent to the bench after completing just 9 of 20 passes last week in an overtime victory over California. He was averaging just 183 passing yards a game but was 5-1 as a starter. ``My thinking with that is, `All right, let's do it better,' '' Moore said. ``I'm not saying I'm better. I'm just saying that's something to shoot for, and it's nice coming in with those four wins and momentum. It's not like we're going uphill or fighting.'' Moore also had the benefit of watching from afar. And there was one thing he noticed more than anything else. ``I think it's patience, patience in the pocket,'' Moore said. ``Definitely stepping up. Me and Drew, we don't have breakaway speed. I know he tried to roll out a couple of times and (offensive coordinator Steve) Axman ax·man n. 1. One who wields an ax. 2. Slang One assigned to perform a task involving ruthless reduction, as of a work force or budget. 3. told him, 'Step up, step up.' ``I think I have to do the same thing. That's huge, especially when you have (defensive) ends that are faster than you are. That, and, patience. With our offense, I think there's always going to be someone that pops open.'' But Dorrell wants to make it clear Moore's return is not a cure-all for what is wrong with UCLA's offense. ``I'm hoping that's not the perception out there,'' Dorrell said. ``I wish it was and he goes in and all of a sudden everything works. There are a lot of issues. There are a lot of issues we're dealing with, and we're trying to maximize our potential as best we can.'' Brian Dohn, (818) 713-3607 brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com UCLA vs. ARIZONA STATE Tonight, 7 at the Rose Bowl TV/Radio: FSN (Full-Service Network) A communications network that provides shopping, movies on demand and access to databases and a variety of interactive services. 2; 1150-AM CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Sophomore quarterback Matt Moore will return to the starting lineup this week with the offense mired mire n. 1. An area of wet, soggy, muddy ground; a bog. 2. Deep slimy soil or mud. 3. A disadvantageous or difficult condition or situation: the mire of poverty. v. in a slump. Edna T. Simpson/Daily News |
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