LOS ANGELES (AP) -Although UCLA’s offensive struggles are threatening to derail a once-promising season, coach Rick Neuheisel is certain another quarterback change won’t help matters right now.
Freshman Kevin Prince will start again for the Bruins (3-2, 0-2 Pac-10) on Saturday against California, Neuheisel said Monday.
Prince, who won the starting job in training camp, missed two games with a broken jaw. He returned for last weekend’s 24-10 loss to No. 13 Oregon with what he claimed was “probably the worst game I’ve ever played in my life.” Prince went 13 of 25 for 81 yards with an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
“I’m not trying to create this controversy,” Neuheisel said. “Kevin Prince is the guy we chose. We’re going to get Kevin Prince ready to play, and he’s going to do a good job.”
yards with an interception and getting sacked four times, before Prince returned to run the 2-minute drill late.
“From this game, I get some confidence going in,” Brehaut said. “When I got some pressure, I thought I delivered the ball. I’ve still got to show the coaches I know what I’m doing. I’ve got to show I can fix what I did wrong during practice.”
Neuheisel knows the Bruins have far more problems than their quarterback play. UCLA’s receivers must get open more often and more easily, while the offensive line still is a work in progress midway through his second season.
Brehaut likely has a chance to play more if the losses keep piling up, but Neuheisel is focused on a winning record this season.
“I’ve been pretty clear that I want to keep looking for places to get Richard in the game,” Neuheisel said. “Kevin was not at his best. We weren’t moving the ball. Sometimes just a change of pace is a good thing. (The fourth quarter) looked like a great spot to get Richard a chance.”
Neuheisel suggested both quarterbacks needed to be more aggressive, particularly against a three-man defensive front. Oregon played the scheme, and Cal has been using a 3-4 defense for the past two seasons, which should open running lanes for a heads-up quarterback.
He has much fewer criticisms for his defense, which gave up only a handful of big plays to the Ducks.
lly about 90 percent of the time,” Neuheisel said. “It’s a huge lesson for us as we go into this game against the explosive players like (Cal tailbacks Jahvid) Best and (Shane) Vereen. If you don’t get your arms around those guys, they’re going to make you pay dearly.”
The Bruins must watch a handful of injuries leading up to the weekend. Linebacker Reggie Carter sprained his left knee and could be limited in practice, while tailback Johnathan Franklin sprained his left ankle and defensive end Korey Bosworth bruised his ribs.
If Franklin struggles, Derrick Coleman and Christian Ramirez will step in. UCLA’s depth is more limited behind Carter and Bosworth, two lynchpins of the defense, but Neuheisel won’t make excuses for players who are injured or inexperienced.
“It’s too easy to say we’re too young, we don’t have this, we don’t have that,” Neuheisel said. “We have enough to be successful, and we’ve proven that.”
Add A Comment