UCLA is on the minds of the Bears as Cal worked through situational drills on Wednesday evening’s practice.
“The guys came back out on Monday and got some corrections and went right into UCLA,” Head Coach Justin Wilcox said. “I think the attention to details has been good.”
Defensive Coordinator Tim DeRuyter put it another way.
“You’ve got a lot of juice this week at practice coming off the Big Game win,” he said. “I think in a lot of ways it validated our thinking that we’re closing the distance on everyone in this league.”
Wilcox said the team focused on third down and red zone situational drills at Wednesday’s practice.
UCLA is 4-7 but 4-4 in Pac-12 play. After a bit of a slow start, the Bruins rattled off three straight wins, beating Stanford on the road and taking down Arizona State and UCLA at home. However, UCLA brings in a two-game losing streak, losing to Utah in Salt Lake City and USC at the Coliseum.
“They’ve had some really impressive games and have good players,” Wilcox said. “Coach Kelly does a fantastic job.”
Running back Joshua Kelley is one of the focuses for the Bears. Kelly has ran for just under 1,000 net-yards on the year. “He’s hard to tackle,” Wilcox said. DeRuyter later agreed saying he doesn’t need all of his blockers in front of him as he’s able to make defenders miss.
UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been banged up but has passed for nearly 2,500 yards and rushed for just under 250 more on the season.
“I think Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a very explosive and dynamic player that really stresses you on third down,” DeRuyter said. “He’s a guy that can make all the throws. And when things break down he’s really hurt opposing defenses running the ball for big-time chunk plays.”
Still, Wilcox said that they know there is more than one player to prep for and they are also focused on UCLA’s receivers and tight-ends.
“They give you a lot of different things that are stressful,” DeRuyter said of UCLA’s playmakers and playcalling.
Wilcox said they bumped practice up on Thursday morning so players could have a somewhat normal Thanksgiving. Some players will be spending the holiday with family and friends and others will go to various coach’s houses.
“Everyone’s going somewhere for Thanksgiving,” Wilcox assured.
As for injured players, Wilcox said Ashtyn Davis and Kekoa Crawford have been able to practice this week but wouldn’t confirm if they’ll play on Saturday or not
UCLA May be bad but I don't think they are bad enough to lose to UCLA at home.
"UCLA is 4-7 but 4-4 in Pac-12 play. After a bit of a slow start, the Bruins rattled off three straight wins, beating Stanford on the road and taking down Arizona State and UCLA at home."
Hey, they lost to San Diego State at home, so why not lose to the Bruins at home as well? After all, it was a home game for at least one of them (and maybe both).
asu has a freshman qb who has lots of future potential. he can run and pass. like all freshman he has good and bad moments so the sun devils record is mediocre. benjamin is an excellent running back and will play on sundays.
