UCLA football: Ground game is critical in rematch with Tennessee
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UCLA will face a significantly different Tennessee team in Knoxville Saturday than it did in the Rose Bowl last season, when the Bruins pulled off a 27-24 upset.
With a new coaching staff and new system, “I don’t think last year has a whole lot to do with this,†UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel said. “I’m sure they have guys looking for a return engagement. We have guys looking for that too.â€
The biggest change the Bruins can expect is the simple fact that if the Volunteers are running the ball well, they will continue to run. A year ago, Tennessee averaged 5.2 yards a carry, yet then-coach Phil Fulmer insisted on throwing the ball. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton completed 19 of 41 passes for 189 yards and had one pass intercepted.
While Crompton threw five touchdown passes in a 63-7 victory over woeful Western Kentucky on Saturday, it was the strength of the Volunteers’ running game that was apparent.
Senior tailback Montario Hardesty had 160 yards rushing, and freshman tailback Bryce Brown had 104 yards. The Volunteers, with an offensive line that has four seniors, had 380 yards on the ground.
All that made Neuheisel’s hyperbole justified in this case.
“They have a gifted group of running backs,†Neuheisel said. “It doesn’t matter which one of those guys is out there, they are both sensational. They have an unbelievable experience on the offensive line. I don’t know what it is like to have four seniors on a line.â€
UCLA held San Diego State to 39 yards rushing in a 33-14 victory Saturday. But the talent the Aztecs put on the field was far from the Southeastern Conference’s level.
In other UCLA news:
-- Free safety Rahim Moore said he is looking forward to this week’s game, which will be in front of more than 100,000 people at Neyland Stadium.
“This game is survival of the fittest,†Moore said. “We beat them last season, and they’ve been waiting for this game. This game is going to determine how the rest of our season goes. ... This is like the Super Bowl for us.â€
-- UCLA will be without cornerback Aaron Hester, who is out four to six weeks with a fractured fibula. Neuheisel said tailback Christian Ramirez (ankle) and wide receiver Gavin Ketchum (hamstring) are “doubtful at best.†Reserve strong safety Glenn Love has an ankle injury, but Neuheisel expects him to play.
-- Chris Foster
Twitter.com/cfosterlatimes