A yr in the past, UCLA was on the verge of Hawaiian humiliation in its season opener.
The offense plodded. The protection was a blooper reel, committing three penalties on the identical play. The particular groups didn’t put sufficient gamers on the sphere, resulting in a busted punt protection.
Shakiest of all might need been the coach.
Having starred as a working again and assistant coach, DeShaun Foster stumbled in his head teaching debut. Showing as disorganized and unprepared as his workforce, Foster didn’t know the correct strategy to tackle reporters after his workforce rallied to beat Hawaii, asking a media relations workers member for assist.
Yeah, you may say he was a large number.
A yr later, on the verge of his second season, Foster acknowledged as a lot.
“Oh, I was scared, you know?” Foster stated this week. “And I’ve never been scared on the football field. It was a nervous feeling just because it was brand new and I’d never been in that position.”
And now?
“I’m not nowhere near where we were last year,” Foster stated, “so I feel pretty good.”
The coach and his workforce will should be at their finest Saturday night time on the Rose Bowl after they open the season towards Utah, a classy choose to turn out to be a School Soccer Playoff contender.
UCLA’s roster options 57 new gamers — together with two who arrived after the beginning of coaching camp — and eight new assistant coaches, together with offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri.
How will Foster fare on this second probability to make a primary impression after his workforce went 5-7 in 2024? Listed below are 5 issues to observe when the Bruins face the Utes:
The Nico Present?
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava appears to cross throughout UCLA observe on August 4.
(Nate Donlevy / UCLA Athletics)
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s arrival as a former five-star highschool prospect who helped Tennessee attain the CFP in 2024 generated some much-needed buzz for a humdrum operation.
Nationwide school soccer reporters swarmed Iamaleava at Huge Ten media days. His presence has saved UCLA within the headlines for a number of months.
However Foster needed everybody to know that UCLA soccer just isn’t a one-man present.
“There’s more than just Nico on our team,” Foster stated, “so I think all our guys are pretty excited to get out there and show a national audience what we can do.”
Different candidates to emerge as stars embrace broad receiver Kwazi Gilmer, working again Jaivian Thomas, defensive deal with Gary Smith III and security Key Lawrence.
Tino’s debut 
UCLA offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri walks on the sphere throughout a spring soccer observe.
(Nate Donlevy / UCLA Athletics)
A stirring subplot Saturday can be UCLA’s new offensive coordinator.
As soon as thought of a rising star as quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator, Sunseri now will get to run his personal offense. What’s going to it seem like?
Predictably conserving issues as imprecise as attainable to guard his scheme, Sunseri stated it will be balanced and bodily whereas stretching the protection to make it cowl “every blade of grass.”
It might additionally combine in some enjoyable. Noticed at a current observe have been large poster boards that includes symbols, logos and faces. The boards have been much like what Oregon used underneath coach Chip Kelly earlier than his UCLA groups grew to become loads much less entertaining.
Making a run for it 
UCLA working again Jaivian Thomas carries the ball throughout preseason coaching in Costa Mesa on Aug. 1.
(Nate Donlevy / UCLA Athletics)
Foster referred to as this the deepest group of working backs he’s had at UCLA.
Thomas and Jalen Berger are the favorites to get probably the most carries, adopted by Anthony Woods and Anthony Frias II. Woods can be taking part in towards his outdated workforce after sitting out final season at Utah whereas recovering from a torn knee ligament. He had been electrical earlier than that at Idaho, main the Huge Sky Convention in 2023 with 1,155 dashing yards and 16 touchdowns.
Thomas has the potential to high 1,000 yards this season and Berger is keen to point out his potential after being hobbled by an ankle harm over the ultimate 4 video games of final season.
An early check 
Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) blocks throughout a sport towards Arizona State.
(Rick Scuteri / Related Press)
UCLA’s protection received’t have the ability to ease its approach into the season.
It’s going to face a Utah offensive line that features 5 returning starters and a pair of tackles — Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu — who’re projected first-round NFL draft picks.
The query is how productive switch quarterback Devon Dampier might be taking part in behind that line. Dampier had extra success working the ball (1,166 yards and seven.5 yards per carry with 19 touchdowns) than he did passing (57.9% accuracy with as many interceptions as touchdowns) final season at New Mexico. Offensive coordinator Jason Beck came to visit with Dampier from Albuquerque, which might ease their transition.
The names to know in Utah’s run sport are Wayshawn Parker, a switch from Washington State, and NaQuari Rogers, a switch from New Mexico. Beck’s offense is predicted to unfold the sphere with an up-tempo assault, amplifying the problem dealing with the Bruins.
Stepping up 
UCLA defensive lineman Keanu Williams hits USC quarterback Caleb Williams as he throws the ball on Nov. 18, 2023, on the Coliseum.
(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Occasions)
The seek for playmakers on a protection changing each full-time starter begins up entrance.
Smith and fellow defensive deal with Keanu Williams are each coming off vital accidents however might present a right away roadblock for opposing run video games if they will return to type.
Along with his veteran inside defensive linemen, Foster additionally recognized defensive deal with Siale Taupaki, edge rushers Anthony Jones and Kechaun Bennett and linebackers Scott Taylor and JuJu Partitions as probably the most constant cross rushers in coaching camp.
