myBearTerritory Photo Blog: 2008 Pac-10 Preview

myBearTerritory Photo Blog: 2008 Pac-10 Preview - UCLA Bruins

2008 Pac-10 Preview - UCLA Bruins

UCLA Bruins

UCLA Bruins

At a Glance
2007 Record: 6-7		Pac-10: T-4th
Head Coach:	Rick Neuheisel	1st year at UCLA
Offensive Coordinator:	Norm Chow
Defensive Coordinator:	DeWayne Walker

Top Returners:
RB Kahlil Bell, WR Marcus Everett, TE Logan Paulsen, CB Alterraun Verner, DT Brian Price, LB Reggie Carter, K Kai Forbath

Key Returners:
RB Chris Markey, WR Brandon Breazell, DE Bruce Davis, SS Chris Horton, CB Trey Brown, FS Dennis Keyes

Click here for an overview of Rose Bowl

2007 Results
W	at Stanford	45-17
W	BYU	27-17
L	at Utah	6-44
W	WASHINGTON	44-31
W	at Oregon State	40-14
L	NOTRE DAME	6-20
W	CALIFORNIA	30-21
L	at Washington State	7-27
L	at Arizona	27-34
L	ARIZONA STATE	20-24
W	OREGON	16-0
L	at USC	7-24
L	vs. BYU (Las Vegas Bowl)	16-17

2008 Schedule
Sept. 1	TENNESSEE
Sept. 13	at BYU
Sept. 20	ARIZONA
Sept. 27	FRESNO STATE
Oct. 4	WASHINGTON STATE
Oct. 11	at Oregon
Oct. 18	STANFORD
Oct. 25	at California
Nov. 8	OREGON STATE
Nov. 15	at Washington
Nov. 28	at Arizona State
Dec. 6	USC

Returning Starters
Offense	Defense	Special Teams	Total
5	5	Punter/Kicker	12

Overview

Offense:

Going into spring practice UCLA starting quarterback was Patrick Cowan and Ben Olson was scheduled to be the backup. In one practice UCLA lost Cowan for the 2008 season with a torn ACL and Olson broke his right foot. Ben Olson's foot should be healed in time for the season, though he will have missed a couple of months of off-season workouts. Starting running back Kahlil Bell is also coming off of reconstructive knee surgery

Defense:

The defense returns 5 starters but will need to replace All-American Bruce Davis.

Special Teams:

The Bruins return their starting punter and kicker.

Overview:

UCLA fans are excited about new head coach Rick Neuheisel. However, if the Bruins are to compete for an top 5 finish in the conference they will need to avoid injuries and hope their injuries from 2007 and spring practice are healed. Bruins fans hope their new coach can deliver results while staying out of trouble with the NCAA.