Football Notebook

Offensive line earns bragging rights

The poor old offensive line finally got tired of getting beat
up. Tuesday they gave the defensive line a taste of their own
medicine by dominating throughout the practice.

“Obviously they have a formidable foe every time we
practice working against our defensive line,” head coach Karl
Dorrell said. “They made some progress today and that is very
encouraging as we reach the end of these spring drills.”

The defense struggled a bit with its gap protection and had a
few missed tackles. According to senior defensive lineman Rodney
Leisle, the errors are mental.

“They just need to work on keeping their spirits up and
doing the same thing every day,” he said. “When they
screw up and then the coach gets on them, they go into the next
play still worried about the last play.”

“A lot of guys think too much. They need to just
play.”

The solid play by the offensive line was a comfort to the whole
offense, particularly the quarterbacks who depend on them for
protection.

“The last couple practices, our D-line has been dominant
but that was not the case at all today,” sophomore
quarterback Drew Olson said Tuesday.

“The offensive line had a real good day and it was
encouraging for everybody to see that.”

The offensive line lost senior tackles Mike Saffer and Bryce
Bohlander to graduation and backups Elliot Vallejo and Matt Mosebar
quit.

The line did return junior guard Eyoseaff Efseaff, junior
guard/tackle Steve Vieira and redshirt sophomore center Mike
McCloskey. The three now start with sophomore tackle Ed Blanton and
guard Shane Lehmann.

“We have a young offensive line so we expected it was
going to be like that.” Olson said.

Jury still out on Raymo

Although junior Jibril Raymo, who switched to wide receiver from
safety Monday, mentioned that he would like to redshirt this year,
that decision will not be made until the fall.

“I think if he felt he could help at either position when
fall comes around, I don’t think that would be in his
mind,” Dorrell said.

Raymo will have just his third day at wide receiver today.

“We haven’t played with him in a game situation, but
in one-on-ones he did a good job,” Olson said.

End of the Road

As spring practice comes to a close today, everyone seems to
wish for just a little more time.

“I think we (the secondary) are one of the most
fundamentally sound groups, but you can get better every
day,” junior corner Matt Ware said.

“I think all of them can improve with more practice, but
unfortunately the NCAA doesn’t allow you to do that,”
Dorrell laughed.

The spring scrimmage will be held Saturday at 6 p.m., following
a 5 p.m. alumni flag football game, at Drake Stadium.

Compiled by Hannah Gordon, Daily Bruin Staff.