Adam Glick

ESPN SoCal

Aug-28 Week 1 is offically here in the world of college football. Mostly every team willl begin to strap their pads in and eagerly take the field. No different will take place here in Southern California. The UCLA Bruins hope to build off last years nine-win season and make noise in the final year of Pac-12 play. 

Coastal Carolina Preview:

The Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina are the favorites to win the Sun Belt East. A major reason for that claim is the return of star quarterback Grayson McCal. The offense for Coastal is once again loaded with returning running backs Braydon Bennett and Reese White. One key thing UCLA hopes to exploit is the defense of Coastal Carolina. Last year the Chanticleers allowed 31.8 points per contest. New head coach Tim Beck faces a tough coaching debut at the Rose Bowl.

UCLA Offensive Preview:

The Bruins have to find answers to replace their two most productive offensive positions last season. With the departures of quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and running back Zach Charbonnet it won't be an easy task. UCLA also replaces three key pieces on the offensive line, that was one of the Pac 12's best last season. Two players that will be crucial in helping lead the way are quarterback Dante Moore and running back Carson Steele. 

UCLA Defensive Preview:

New play-caller D'Anton Lynn will need to improve upon a defense that allowed 29 points per game last season. One key element that might help that cause is returning eight starters. Edge rushers Laiatu Latu and Grayson Murphy are two standouts to watch out for. They will need to be major catalysts on defense and help limit explosive playmakers on the other side of the ball. 

Game Prediction:

The Bruins will be a work in progress through much of the start of the season. UCLA's roster turnover will be a challenge but will be useful once conference play begins. This will not be a typical Week 1 cupcake oppenent. Coastal Carolina presents many challenges and is a very formidable Group of five powerhouse. I expect the game to be high scoring and competetive throughout with both teams showing flashes of greatness. The difference will be in the trenches where the Bruins have the clear edge. UCLA survives a Week 1 scare and heads down the 405 south for next weeks tilt against San Diego State at 1-0.

Adam Glick

ESPN SoCal

Aug 23- Four UCLA Bruins were offically announced to the Senior Bowl Watch List Wednesday Morning. Center Duke Clemens, Linebacker Darius Mausau, linebacker JonJon Vaughns, and defensive lineman Laiatu Latu. The 2024 Senior Bowl showcases elite ready NFL prospects in a game played on Feb. 3rd in Mobile Ala, televised by NFL Network. 

Clemens was a castaslyst up front that helped lead the way to a prolific offensive attack last season. The Bruins ranked sixth in FBS in yards per game averaging 237.2. UCLA's offensive line was selected as a semifinalist to the Joe Moore Award highlighting the nations top offensive lines. The Bruins scored at least 32 points in 12 of their 13 contests in 2022.

Mausau, transfer from Hawaii, started all of last season at inside linebacker leading the team in tackles (91). Mausau had double digit tackles in three games last season against South Alabama (10), Arizona State (12), and Pittsburgh (14). After the season he was named second team All-Pac-12 and third-team all league by Pro Football Focus.

Vaughn played every game last season including starting in 11 of those contests. Vaughn's two biggest standout performances were against Stanford and Colorado recording seven tackles each. The potential was evident last season as he hopes to improve upon a successful 2022 campaign. 

Latu was a defensive force up front last season leading the team in tackles for loss 12.5 and sacks 10.5. He was named first-team All-Pac-12  by the league coaches and second-team all-conference by Pro Football Focus. Latu returns in 2023 with big expectations as the Bruins aim to reach the double digit win mark.

UCLA begins the season on Sept. 2nd against Sun Belt power Coastal Carolina. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. pacific time broadcasted on ESPN. The Bruins are coming off a 9-4 season as they try to get back to another PAC 12 Championship.