Bruin O-line seeks to continue tackling weaknesses
By Matt Joye
Aug. 11, 2015 9:28 p.m.
SAN BERNARDINO — Caleb Benenoch has heard the criticism before, and he’s tired of it.
“Everybody’s talking, saying what they want to say,” said the rising redshirt junior right tackle. “I’m very eager, I’m very eager. … I’m gonna get back out there and show what I can do.”
Benenoch and the UCLA offensive line were much maligned during the early portion of last season. The group allowed 25 sacks in the first six games, including a 10-sack implosion versus Utah.
Some called the O-line the weak point of the team. Now it appears to be a strength.
The unit has a wealth of experience on its side. Benenoch is one of three players on the Bruin O-line who has at least 20 starts under his belt.
“We’ve seen about every blitz we can see by now,” said rising redshirt junior quarterback Jerry Neuheisel. “I know our offensive line looks forward to getting rid of that moniker that we can’t protect ourselves.”
The Bruins began to eschew that moniker during the final stretch of last season, allowing just 15 sacks over the final seven games – a period that saw then-redshirt sophomore Conor McDermott take over the left tackle spot.
“It was huge (having McDermott at left tackle),” Benenoch said. “He’s big, long, and when he gets his hands on guys it’s hard for them to get around him. He’s (6 feet 9 inches), 315 pounds.”
Benenoch said it wasn’t just the insertion of McDermott at left tackle that spurred the O-line’s improvement; instead, the development was more a result of improved chemistry overall.
“I think we kind of grew up,” he said. “I think we found a group of guys who gel well together and play well together.”
Benenoch added that it will be even easier for the O-line to play together this season because UCLA no longer has a scrambler at the quarterback position. Former signal caller Brett Hundley was renowned for his running abilities, but he also put the UCLA offensive lineman in precarious positions at times.
“It makes our job easier not having a runner back there (at quarterback),” Benenoch said. “(This year) we know where our quarterback’s gonna be – it’s in the pocket. It makes it harder on defensive ends because our quarterback is sitting way closer to the pocket than he used to.”
Neuheisel made it clear that he will stick in the pocket if he’s named the starting quarterback. He’s trying to remove the stigma of sacks as much as Benenoch is.
“It’s unfair to give the offensive line as much blame as (it) got in recent years,” Neuheisel said. “As an offense and as a whole we’re working on getting that situation fixed so we’re ready to go against Virginia this year.”
UCLA better hope it’s ready against Virginia this time around. In last year’s game against the Cavaliers, the Bruins allowed five quarterback sacks, nine hurries and 14 backfield hits.
That won’t happen again this year, if Benenoch has anything to say about it.
“If we can find that consistency and move forward and get better every day, I think we can be the best unit in the country,” he said. “There’s no doubt in my mind.”
Compiled by Matthew Joye, Bruin Sports senior staff.
