honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 12:40 a.m., Thursday, November 13, 2008

CFB: UCLA and Washington in a familiar rut

By Scott M. Reid
The Orange County Register

LOS ANGELES — As the UCLA and Washington coaching staffs broke down film on their opponent's offenses this week the clips had to look familiar.

"Two teams struggling to run the football," UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said of the Bruins and Washington, UCLA's opponent Saturday night at Husky Stadium.

The lack of a running game is a major reason Washington (0-9 overall, 0-6 Pac-10) is the only winless team in the NCAA bowl subdivision this season. The Huskies are averaging 85.3 yards rushing per game, 2.7 yards per carry.

The only team in the Pac-10 having more trouble on the ground than the Huskies is UCLA (3-6, 2-4).

The Bruins are averaging 77.8 yards per game, 2.7 yards per carry. UCLA had just 48 yards on 27 carries in last week's 34-6 loss to Oregon State. The Bruins had 16 yards on 22 carries in a 41-20 loss at Cal on Oct. 25. UCLA hasn't rushed for 100 yards in a game since beating Washington State, 28-3, Oct. 4.

"I take it personally," said tailback Kahlil Bell, UCLA's "leading" rusher, averaging 33.9 yards per game.

So what's happened?

"The lack of execution, youth and inexperience," Bell said. "But probably the No. 1 reason is a lack of execution."

In an effort to improve the Bruins execution, UCLA has used seven starting combinations on the offensive line. This week Micah Reed is back at center where he started the first two games of the season before moving to left guard.

One Bruin unable to get back in the mix is freshman tailback Aundre Dean. Dean was the Texas state co-offensive player of the year after rushing for 2,491 yards and 26 touchdowns at Katy High last year. But Dean, slowed by an ankle injury, has just two carries this season and no carries against Oregon State after failing to see any playing time in the previous three games.

"I'm not disappointed by the lack of playing time," Dean said. "I don't blame anybody. I got hurt and when you have eight running backs they don't have time to wait for you."

NO LETDOWN

While Washington might own the nation's longest losing streak, the Bruins insist they aren't taking the Huskies lightly.

"Realistically we've probably played as bad as they have," UCLA linebacker Reggie Carter said. "We're struggling to get a win about as much as they are."