The Tennessee Volunteers are busy with spring practice, as is their first opponent for the 2008 season. The UCLA Bruins began their spring practice on April 3 to begin preparations for the September 1 opener against the Vols.
The Vols and Bruins will renew their long distance series that began in 1967. The Vols and Bruins have played 12 times with both teams winning five games and tying two others. The two teams last met in 1997, a game that saw the Vols win 30-24 in Los Angeles.
Rick Neuheisel’s first few months as head coach at his alma mater has created an energy and excitement around the UCLA football program. Neuheisel replaced Karl Dorrell after the 2007 regular season.
“I can’t wait to get on to Spaulding Field and starting building for the 2008 season,” said Neuheisel. “Spring practice will be my first chance to see the players on the field and the same is true for most of our coaches. We feel we have a good plan in place, both offensively and defensively, and we will spend the four weeks of spring teaching and evaluating our personnel.”
Since spring practice began the Bruins have encountered trouble along an already inexperienced offensive line. This past Monday tackle Aleksey Lanis left the team because of continuing soreness in his left knee.
Lanis started six games last season and 12 in 2006 before suffering a fractured bone in his left forearm. He also underwent surgery on his left knee this past off-season.
“Two surgeries on his knee has gotten too burdensome,” Neuheisel said. “That’s a hit to us. But we wish him well.”
The Bruins inexperienced line has been the main concern in spring practice. The loss leaves tackle Micah Kia and center Micah Reed as the only linemen who played last season.
The first unit includes Scott Glicksberg, a converted tight end, and Darius Savage, a converted defensive tackle. Losing Lanis leaves Sean Sheller, a sophomore, as the other starting tackle.
The quarterback competition appears to have come to an end, with Patrick Cowan winning the job.
Neuheisel and offensive coordinator Norm Chow have not committed to a decision publicly, but sources within the program said they have decided to go with Cowan over Ben Olson and Kevin Craft. That was supported by the fact that Cowan took all the snaps with the No. 1 offensive unit during the Bruins first scrimmage this past Saturday.
Cowan completed seven of 11 passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
The Bruins will conclude spring drills on April 26 with the “Battle at the Rose Bowl” Spring Game.
