Autzen Zoo Pac-12 Preview: UCLA Bruins Look to Improve Under Chip Kelly
The UCLA Bruins enter their second year under Head Coach Chip Kelly and while the dynamic offensive schemes may not be there just yet, the team has strength in a key Offensive area.
The Bruins Offensive Line could be among the top in the Pac-12 Conference. Led by Boss Tagaloa, a player who moved from the defensive side of the ball last season. He is the cog that helps make the UCLA Offense go. The Bruins averaged 400 yards of offense per game over the final month of the regular season last year. Momentum sometimes comes from showing that you can simply do something. Now, they will have to figure out how to do it well.
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At the start of Fall Camp, the Bruins were expected to see Washington Transfer Quarterback Carson Yankoff under center, but earlier this week it was discovered that the Huskies did not waive the policy of a Pac-12 player sitting out a year before playing for a new school within the conference.
UCLA Running Back Joshua Kelley started camp banged up with a knee injury, but showed no ill signs in practice. Two Bruins Wide Receivers Theo Howard and Michael Ezeike are nursing injuries of their own just a week into Fall Camp.
Unlike Oregon Football, the Bruins have three players vowing for the starting position at quarterback. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Austin Burton, and Chase Griffin all bring something unique to the playbook. Thompson-Robinson is the likely starter after starting in seven games last season. Griffin is coming off a shoulder injury that limited his participation in the spring.
UCLA opens the season at Cincinnati before hosting San Diego State and Oklahoma, a game that should give the team some national exposure before the start of Pac-12 play.