UCLA FOOTBALL: First-year coach Mora set to lead new-look Bruins onto the field in season opener against Rice

By Miguel A. Melendez, Special to the Daily News

UCLA called an audible eight months ago when it hired Jim Mora as the 17th head coach in school history. Mora represented a new direction for a program that desperately needed a change in culture. He hit the ground running, hiring coaches and pounding the recruiting trail, all the while injecting a business-like attitude.

Mora's revamped coaching staff called for a new philosophy in scoring and defending. The personnel moves from spring camp carried into fall camp, and Mora further distanced himself from predecessor Rick Neuheisel by naming a redshirt freshman as the starting quarterback.

In short, it's out with the old and in with the new.

UCLA unveils its new look today against Rice in Houston, where Mora will make his college head coaching debut after 25 years in the NFL.

He's more than ready. He's anxious.

"I'm anxious like I'm always anxious," Mora said. "It's going to be my first time going out there in a UCLA shirt and hat in a competitive environment."

Rice (4-8 last year) opens at home for the first time since 2008, and it's the Owls' first game on a weekday since 1983. UCLA is 4-0 all-time against Rice.

They last met in 2006 at the Rose Bowl and the Bruins won 26-16.

UCLA, opening on the road for the third consecutive season, is expected to battle inclement weather in Houston with temperatures reaching a high of 96 with 57percent humidity and a 50percent chance of rain and scattered thunderstorms.

The heat and humidity is nothing new for UCLA after twoweeks of training in triple-digit temperatures in San Bernardino.

UCLA's biggest challenge, however, will come in executing a whole new playbook.

Bruins fans grew frustrated with an offense that ranked 116th in the nation in 2010. A change last year to the Pistol didn't fare much better as UCLA's passing attack ranked 81st behind two injury-prone quarterbacks in Kevin Prince and Richard Brehaut. The Pistol misfired and it showed on the scoreboard - the Bruins ranked 88th in points en route to a 6-8 season.

Dubbed the savior, freshman quarterback Brett Hundley has the intangibles rarely seen these days in Westwood. He brings elusiveness and good arm strength.

His ability to extend plays with his legs will only help offset the challenges that come with an inconsistent offensive line.

Young nerves may be an early issue for Hundley who hasn't played a game since the high school playoffs in 2010. But Hundley is in a position that not many young quarterbacks find themselves in, he can turn to Prince and Brehaut, both seniors, for advice on how to handle the pressure.

"Brett Hundley is a young man who can really throw the ball well and runs extremely well and makes great decisions," said Rice coach David Bailiff, entering his sixth season at the helm. "They have a whole lot of people on that team who have starts, but they have a lot of lettermen who have extensive playing time and we know it's a big challenge for us."

There's reason to believe Hundley could thrive in a spread offense, and he has plenty of weapons at his disposal. Jerry Johnson, Shaquelle Evans and Devin Lucien appear to be playmakers at receiver. Tight end Joseph Fauria (6-foot-8) will help create countless mismatches while flanker Steven Manfro adds a wrinkle to an offense that looks to thrive in a fast tempo.

Noel Mazzone is in his first season with the Bruins as offensive coordinator. He brings a wealth of experience and the success to prove it. While at Arizona State, Mazzone last year led the Sun Devils to a top-10 passing offense that averaged 316 yards per game. Arizona State ranked 28th in points, averaging 33.2 points.

UCLA's ground production could wreak havoc against an undersized Rice defensive line. Johnathan Franklin, who is 1,062 yards away from becoming the school's all-time rushing leader, leads a stable of running backs. Damien Thigpen showed all camp he's finally healthy. He brings speed, while Jordon James brings a physical presence.

Hundley could have his hands full with a strong Rice secondary, led by linebacker Cameron Nwosu and cornerback Bryce Callahan, who as a freshman recorded a team-high six interceptions and was named a freshman All-America.

Rice quarterback Tyler McHargue has a big target with 6-5 senior tight end Luke Wilson, but UCLA's 3-4 defense under Lou Spanos could be a challenge for the Owls, who are without their top rushing and receiving threats. Turner Petersen will take the bulk of the carries in the backfield and Vance McDonald will be McHargue's primary target.

Sam McGuffie could be another threat the Bruins have to worry about. He battled injuries last year but showed strong signs in 2010 he can be a big threat after leading the team in receptions (39) and rushing (833 yards).

UCLA's Sheldon Price and Aaron Hester provide proven leadership at corner while Jordan Zumwalt, Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr bring significant size and strength at linebacker.

You can expect UCLA's Datone Jones, Cassius Marsh, Owamagbe Odighizuwa and even Ellis McCarthy to rotate up front defensively with Seali'i Epenesa manning the nose tackle spot.

Rice will have yet another young offensive line to provide pocket protection. Sophomore guard Drew Carroll is the most experienced of the group with 10 starts last season. Nate Richards, a junior college transfer, starts at center and redshirt freshman Caleb Williams is at tackle.

UCLA experienced its own instability on the line during camp but has seen it bolstered in just the last few days with the return of Jeff Baca and Greg Capella, both of whom returned to the field in the final week after suffering concussions early in fall camp.

Ready or not, the lights come on.

"These guys guys haven't been in a competitive environment in over eight months since the bowl game," Mora said. "I'm more than anything excited watching our guys do what they do, which is play football."

Source: http://www.dailynews.com/ci_21432213/ucla-football-first-year-coach-mora-set-lead?source=rss_viewed

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