THIS RUN FOR BRUINS SEEMS TO BE OVER UCLA IS HELD TO 79 YARDS RUSHING IN LOSS.Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer BERKELEY - After the euphoria of running wild at Washington and the steadiness of running well the first four games of the season, UCLA's running game has run away. Instead, the last two weeks have resembled more of the 2003 form than Maurice Drew-running-free-in-the-secondary form. In UCLA's 45-28 loss to No. 8 Cal at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, the lack of a running game turned what had been an exciting offense into one of predictability. Cal was set on stopping the run, and did it better than any of UCLA's opponents so far. The Bears, which led 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 in rushing defense at 87.8 yards per game, held 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 to a season-low 79 yards rushing. For the first time this season, UCLA didn't run for a touchdown. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. ,'' Bruins tailback Manuel White Manuel White (born July 2, 1982) is an American football running back. said when asked about the running woes. ``We'll go watch film (today) and figure that out, but we definitely have to get it going in the running game. It's frustrating, but you have to be patient and let it come to you.'' UCLA had trouble from the outset, running six times for six yards in a first quarter that featured three consecutive three-and-out series. ``Our mindset mind·set or mind-set n. 1. A fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person's responses to and interpretations of situations. 2. An inclination or a habit. going in was to try and get the running game going, and we couldn't get it going,'' UCLA quarterback 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. said. ``I think the throwing game opened up some running plays.'' But UCLA's glaring inadequacies running the ball was on full display during a game-altering sequence midway through the third quarter. Trailing 28-14, UCLA drove to Cal's 12-yard line and had a second-and-3. White gained two yards on the next play, but Drew needed to break a few tackles in the backfield just to get back to the line of scrimmage line of scrimmage n. pl. lines of scrimmage Football Either of two imaginary lines extending across the field parallel to the goal line at the ends of the ball as it rests prior to being snapped and at which each team lines up for on third down. Rather than kick the field goal, 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. gave the offensive line the task of picking up a yard on fourth down. With seven guys on the line and three more behind quarterback Drew Olson, the handoff went to White. And he was met by a number of Bears defenders in the back field for a two-yard loss. ``(Cal) did what we expected them to do. We just had a hard time getting the running game going, for whatever reason,'' UCLA center Mike McCloskey said. ``I think it was just the case of just one guy missing a block and screwing everything up.'' After averaging 273.3 yards rushing in the first four games, the Bruins totaled 193 in their last two games. But McCloskey balked balk v. balked, balk·ing, balks v.intr. 1. To stop short and refuse to go on: The horse balked at the jump. 2. at the notion defenses may be picking up UCLA's new blocking scheme as game films from offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Tom Cable's first season makes the rounds. ``It doesn't seem like they're taking advantage of film or anything,'' McCloskey said. ``They're playing like I've seen them. Inside, they played as we expected them to play. They're tough, but we knew they were going to be tough. They're a great defensive line.'' UCLA tailback Maurice Drew, who rushed for 42 yards against the Bears, or 96 yards below his season average, said the reason for the running-game struggles is simple. ``They played nine in the box, so it's kind of hard to run,'' Drew said. ``But we're going to stick with it.'' Brian Dohn, (818) 713-3607 brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com |
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