UCLA Center Micah Reed
UCLA Bruins center Micah Reed has heard the talk of how banged up the offensive line is and he’s tired of listening to it. Since spring practice it’s been a focal point of the UCLA offense, along with injured QBs Ben Olson and Patrick Cowan.
“I’m tired of hearing everybody say all this stuff about us,” said Reed. “This is our chance to step out there and make it happen.”
The injuries suffered along the line have only been part of the problem. UCLA lacks any real depth and can’t afford to incur any more losses. As if that wasn’t enough, the unit as a whole is young and inexperienced.
To make matters even worse, the Bruins will begin their 2008 season in grand fashion, hosting the No. 18 Tennessee Volunteers in a nationally televised game. The Vols’ aren’t exactly the soft opponent the Bruins could tune up against to round their offensive line into a cohesive unit.
Bruins head coach Rick Neuheisel announced the starters for Monday’s game and it’s likely fans will need a program to recognize some of the names.
UCLA Tackle Micah Kia
Micah Kia, who suffered a broken left hand nearly two weeks ago, will start at left tackle. Scott Glicksberg will be at left guard, Reed at center, Sonny Tevaga at right guard and Nick Ekbatani at right tackle.
Ekbatani echoed Reeds’ comments, growing weary of the negative talk about the line’s woes. “I can see the outside view, that we’re an inexperienced line. What people overlooked is we’re working extremely hard.
I have never seen a group at UCLA work harder since I’ve been here. I’ve said it over and over, we just need to get our feet wet.”
The line will have to protect QB Kevin Craft, making his first career start, against a Tennessee defense that isn’t great but has talent, depth and speed.
After weeks of watching Tennessee’s defense on film, Neuheisel said he was impressed with the Volunteers’ “speed and the ability to change direction.
UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel
“They just have great athletes on their defense. This is certainly no knock on anybody on their staff, but I think it’s great that they try to keep it simple. They let their athletes play.
What looks like a big-time opening, all the sudden isn’t any longer because they react so quickly. They are well schooled and they have enough changeups to keep you off balance.”
Neuheisel is hopeful RB Kahlil Bell will provide a spark for the Bruins. Bell returns from offseason surgery for a torn ACL and is the primary target for the Vols’ defense.
Before getting hurt, Bell was one of the leading rushers in the Pac 10 with a career-high 795 yards and five touchdowns. If Tennessee can shut down Bell and the Bruins running game, the burden of moving the ball will fall on Craft’s shoulders.
Look for the Vols’ to put eight in the box in an effort to bottle up Bell and force UCLA into passing situations. With the questions along the offensive line and an inexperienced QB directing traffic, it gives Tennessee a decided advantage.
