UCLA football: In rough seas, offense can't find its balance

Out of sync is the only way to describe UCLA's offense

The Bruins struggled running the ball against Stanford. They were ineffective passing against Oregon. Granted, the sixth-ranked Cardinal and second-ranked Ducks are two of the nation's top teams, but UCLA ran for only 78 yards against Stanford and quarterback Brett Hundley threw for only 64 yards against Oregon.

"Calm seas don't make great sailors," offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone said. "We've got some rough seas."

Injuries played a part.

Running back Jordon James was fifth in the nation in rushing when he injured an ankle against Utah on Oct. 3. He was in pads Tuesday for the first time since the injury but left for treatment halfway through practice. Running back Steven Manfro was not at practice after suffering an ankle injury against Oregon.

The offensive line lost tackles Torian White, Simon Goines and Connor McDermott. White broke a bone and tore a ligament in his right leg against Utah and is out for the season. Goines (knee) and McDermott (shoulder) were at practice, but not in pads, after being injured against Stanford.

But the line worked fine in the running game against Oregon and running backs chewed up yards. The Bruins had 219 yards rushing. "You've got to run the ball to be able to throw the ball," running back Paul Perkins said. "We were a little more focused" Perkins had 93 yards rushing. Malcolm Jones had 72.

"The line made it easier for me to find holes," Perkins said. "They always work their butts off, but there was something special about them against Oregon."Mazzone said the plan was to emphasize the run with three freshmen starting on the offensive line.

"We came in with that idea," Mazzone said. "I thought the offensive line did a heck of a job. Now if I can just figure out how to throw a completion, then we'll have it right back on course. "Hundley completed 13 of 19 passes. But his longest was 11 yards. He had only one pass longer than 16 yards against Stanford, a 26-yard completion to Devin Lucien.

Quarterback coach Taylor Mazzone said, "We have been working on throwing downfield in practice."

Hundley, Taylor Mazzone said, "has to trust his linemen."

Oregon sacked Hundley three times and forced him out of the pocket on a handful of other plays. Perkins said the running backs can lend a hand in that area. "As running backs, we have to know the defense so we can help pick up our blockers," Perkins said.

Triage

UCLA Coach Jim Mora isn't counting out linebacker Eric Kendricks for this week's game against Colorado. Kendricks, the Bruins' leading tackler, suffered a shoulder injury against Oregon. It was added to his list.

Kendricks' ankle is still sore from surgery last summer. His back still aches from a hit he absorbed against Stanford. Now comes a shoulder injury.

"Eric goes into the training room and it's like the old Operation game," Mora said. "He lays there on the table and they just pick him apart." Still, Mora expects Kendricks to be ready this week.

"You don't like to divulge a lot of what happens on the sideline because it's kind of a sanctuary," Mora said. "But when he had to leave the game, he was sobbing like a little baby. It hurt him not to be out there with his teammates. You want that passion in all your players. It's going to be hard to keep him off the field."

Kendricks needed a painkiller shot to play against Oregon. He did not practice Tuesday.

SOURCE: Los Angeles Times