UCLA LOOKING OUT FOR NO. 1 FOCUS IMPROVEMENT, NOT TOP-RANKED OKLAHOMA.Byline: Brian The name Brian (sometimes spelled Bryan) comes from an Irish backround. It is of Celtic origin and its meaning may be "hill" or "strong, noble, and high"[1]. Dohn Staff Writer NORMAN Norman, city (1990 pop. 80,071), seat of Cleveland co., central Okla.; inc. 1891. It is the center of a livestock region. Oil wells, food processing, and printing and publishing contribute to the economy, and there is diverse manufacturing (machinery, communication , Okla. - The last time 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 faced the top-ranked team in the nation it was ugly. The last time they beat a No. 1 team, bell-bottoms were making their first appearance and leisure suits were the fad. The Bruins' hankering to become one of college football's elite programs again will take time. They haven't finished in the top 10 since 1998, and little is expected these days as the transition to a new coaching staff with a young offense crawls along. However, the 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. era could get its first severe jolt today, either positive or negative, when the Bruins play at No. 1 Oklahoma. Although Dorrell downplayed what a victory over the Sooners would mean, certainly it would be a boon Boon A general term that refers to a benefit or improvement for investors. This can include such things as increased dividends, a stock market rally and stock buybacks. Notes: to everything associated with the Bruins. ``I think every team is going to be vulnerable,'' Dorrell said. ``That is the nature of sport. I think the teams that are better prepared to win the game are in a better position to win the game. ``(Oklahoma) could be just as vulnerable as anybody, but again I'm worried about UCLA. I'm going to get UCLA ready to play and play well and to obviously have the 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. to go into Norman and (win) the football game.'' Perhaps there is a good reason Dorrell downplayed the significance of a victory. Few folks outside Westwood believe the Bruins have a chance, and not many unfortunate enough to witness the Bruins' offensive production in a loss to Colorado (16-14) and victory over Illinois Illinois, river, United States Illinois, river, 273 mi (439 km) long, formed by the confluence of the Des Plaines and Kankakee rivers, NE Ill., and flowing SW to the Mississippi at Grafton, Ill. It is an important commercial and recreational waterway. (6-3) would argue. UCLA, once known as a team that scored at will but surrendered points even more quickly, is the worst offensive team in the nation. And facing the Bruins today is a Sooners defense that might be the most athletic, fastest and physical in the country. ``We don't really feel any pressure because we can't do any worse than what we've already done,'' UCLA junior 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. ``We're rated last, but we know we're a lot better talent than that and a lot better offense than that.'' However, statistics and performance suggest otherwise. UCLA ranks last among Division I-A's 117 football teams with 223.5 yards a game. They are averaging 10 points and haven't scored a touchdown in 75 minutes. The running game is averaging 74 yards, better than only seven other schools. And as if 83,000 hostile fans won't cause enough commotion, the Bruins face a Sooners team that has allowed three first-half points in their first three games. ``The run game is going to be huge for us against Oklahoma,'' Bruins 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. ``Their secondary is so good. If we execute, complete the 3-yard passes, keep the chains moving, I think if we get some established drives against Oklahoma, then I think we have a chance. We can't be going three-and-out.'' UCLA has failed to get a first down in 11 of 23 possessions this season, and that doesn't count those possessions ended by halftime or the conclusion of the game. Against Illinois, the Bruins failed to get a first down in eight of 13 drives. ``In a sense you want to pick up the defense from this past week because they basically shut out Illinois, but going into this week is a great challenge for us as an offense to try and establish something,'' Olson said. ``There shouldn't be any pressure on us because we're going against the No. 1 team and the No. 1 defense in the country and nobody expects us to win. We can go out there and play relaxed and play loose, and I don't think we did that last week.'' History isn't on UCLA's side. UCLA hasn't defeated a top-ranked team since it upset Ohio State in the 1976 Rose Bowl. The last time UCLA rolled into college football-crazy Norman - also the last time the Bruins faced the No. 1 team - it wasn't fun. Quarterback Matt Stevens Matt Stevens may refer to:
adj. 1. Heavier, larger, or higher on one side than on the other. 2. Sagging or leaning to one side. 3. 38-3 count on the scoreboard declared. That was Sept. 6, 1986, when Dorrell was a UCLA receiver. ``My thought is going into Oklahoma is taking care of ourselves first,'' Dorrell said. ``This week isn't any bigger than any other week, from any other week that we face, on a week-to-week basis.'' Brian Dohn, (818) 713-3607 brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com UCLA at NO. 1 Oklahoma Today, 12:30 p.m. TV/Radio: Ch. 7; 1150-AM CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Not many expect No. 1 Oklahoma to have much trouble with UCLA, which is playing on the road against the top defense in the country. Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion