Football lapses to loss of focus
Redshirt senior quarterback Kevin Craft, who started in Saturday’s 23-9 win over Kansas State, hands off the ball during a running play. Neuheisel has not named a starter for the Oct. 3 game at Stanford.
By Blair Angulo
Sept. 24, 2009 1:28 a.m.
Heading into the bye week, UCLA football coach Rick Neuheisel feared that his team would lose focus.
His concerns came to fruition Wednesday afternoon at Spaulding Field.
“We missed an opportunity to get better,” he said following the team’s two-hour practice session.
And though Neuheisel felt the team provided the effort necessary to improve, he said the team was too sluggish mentally.
With the Bruins (3-0) not having a game until Oct. 3 at Stanford, the lapse is to be expected. Neuheisel also pointed to Wednesday’s temperatures, which at one point reached the mid-90s, as a possible reason for UCLA’s lack of focus.
“I’m disappointed by it because I talked about those things,” Neuheisel added.
Redshirt senior linebacker Reggie Carter noticed it too. He said that the responsibility to keep a team that has yet to lose on an even-keel lies on its veterans, which have withstood tougher times ““ including last season’s 1-3 start.
“I tell everybody almost every day, “˜Remember the feeling after the Tennessee game and chase that feeling every week,'” Carter said. “So far these freshmen guys haven’t had to experience coming to a meeting after a loss.”
Despite what seems to be a negative effect, the bye week does give UCLA time to get healthier.
Redshirt freshman cornerback Aaron Hester, the starter who suffered a cracked right fibula Sept. 5 against San Diego State, shed his crutches and has been working out individually. Redshirt sophomore Courtney Viney and true freshman Sheldon Price each started once in his place.
The Bruins are also on the verge of regaining the services of redshirt senior offensive lineman Nick Ekbatani, who is mending a sprained medial collateral ligament of his left knee.
Redshirt senior wide receiver Gavin Ketchum, back on the field following lingering issues with his hamstring, adds depth both to the receiving corps and on special teams.
“We’re not in the position, as a program, to stay the same,” Neuheisel said. “Coaches and players alike have to come out here with a plan to get better.”
COMPETITION, COMPETITION, COMPETITION: Not getting any snaps in the Bruins’ 23-9 victory over Kansas State last Saturday is not preventing true freshman quarterback Richard Brehaut from vying for the starting spot.
“It was a great practice for him,” Neuheisel said Wednesday. “That’s what happens when the rest of (the team) is sluggish ““ young guys can step up and show themselves.”
Although redshirt senior Kevin Craft started Saturday in place of redshirt freshman Kevin Prince, who suffered a fractured jaw in the closing minutes of the team’s win at Tennessee on Sept. 12, Neuheisel said that a decision on the starter won’t be made until next week. Prince, who has his jaw wired shut, is not expected to return until mid-October.
