UCLA Blog | Orange County Register Dec 10, 2013
Four-star DB Wadood commits
Four-star defensive back Jaleel Wadood, who had long been expected to commit to UCLA, finally made it official Tuesday morning, becoming the seventh defensive back in the Bruins' 2014 class. Wadood (St. John Bosco) initially committed to Cal, but had...
UCLA Blog | ESPN Los Angeles Dec 10, 2013
Considering the Pac-12 in the coaches poll
Which coach loves your favorite Pac-12 team? And which coach hates your team? Go here and find the geniuses and the miscreants. The truth is, after reviewing the coaches votes, there's really not too much cause for outrage. Some. But not too much. The most notable snub is UCLA not appearing on the ballot of Northern Illinois coach Rod Carey, whose vote was otherwise pretty typical for where it place Pac-12 teams (Stanford seventh, Oregon 12th, Arizona State 15th).
UCLA Blog | Orange County Register Dec 10, 2013
UCLA adds another frontcourt commit
Without any semblance of frontcourt depth heading into next season, UCLA coach Steve Alford said he would make size a priority in the Bruins' 2014 recruiting class. Safe to say, since then, he's kept his word. UCLA signed three post players in...
UCLA Blog | ESPN Los Angeles Dec 10, 2013
Most important targets: Pac-12
There are a number of impact players in the 2014 recruiting class still uncommitted and looking hard at Pac-12 programs. While one commit won't likely make a break a class, there are prospects out there that are extremely important for each class, for reasons on and off the field. This week, we take a look at arguably the top uncommitted target for each program, and why the recruit would make such an impact for that school. Arizona OT Andrew Mike (Tucson, Ariz.
Orange County Register Dec 9, 2013
UCLA colliding with another 'orbit' at Sun Bowl
LOS ANGELES – Nearly 2,500 miles separate UCLA and Virginia Tech, the two almost completely unfamiliar teams destined to clash at this year’s Sun Bowl. In the 94 years both teams have existed, the programs have never met on a football...
UCLA Blog | Orange County Register Dec 9, 2013
Sun Bowl gift package includes mysterious gift suite
Bowl season is finally upon us, meaning one of college football's most sacred holiday traditions, the annual bowl swag race, has begun. For UCLA players, who will spend the holidays at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, that means a bevy of free stuff to...
UCLA Blog | ESPN Los Angeles Dec 9, 2013
Pac-12 should roll through bowl games
The Pac-12 is favored in eight of its nine bowl games, as Oregon State is the only underdog in its matchup with Boise State in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. That's good news and bad news. The good news is the conference has an excellent chance to post an impressive bowl record. The bad news is it has a chance to embarrass itself, too. Anything less than 6-3 would be a major disappointment. Of course, the Pac-12 blog has always taken a dim view of judging a conference by its bowl record, despite its annual inevitability.
UCLA Blog | ESPN Los Angeles Dec 9, 2013
Scouts' Take: Bruins get started on DL
UCLA has a small class but added a key piece Sunday with a commitment from defensive tackle Ainuu Taua (Lompoc, Calif./Lompoc). Read below to see how our scouts believe he'll contribute to the Bruins defense. What he brings: Taua can be an active and physical presence in the trenches. The ESPN 300 DT lacks ideal height, which raises some concern, but while on the short end stature-wise, he is thickly built and strong. Ranked No. 216 in the 2014 class, Taua can be explosive off the ball and is capable of creating some disruption in the backfield.
UCLA Blog | Orange County Register Dec 9, 2013
Barr wins Lott IMPACT Trophy
Anthony Barr is the most impactful defensive player in college football. In just his second season as UCLA's rush linebacker after coming to Westwood as a running back, Barr won the Lott IMPACT Trophy on Sunday night, given to the best defensive...
Orange County Register Dec 9, 2013
UCLA women win first NCAA soccer title
CARY, N.C. – Kodi Lavrusky gave UCLA its first NCAA women's soccer title Sunday, scoring in the 97th minute to lift the Bruins past Florida State, 1-0, in overtime in cold and rainy conditions. “The whole game we knew we had it in us,” Lavrusky...
Orange County Register Dec 8, 2013
UCLA headed to Texas for Sun Bowl
LOS ANGELES – It was a comeback victory over Northwestern at the 2005 Sun Bowl that capped UCLA's last 10-win season. Eight years later, the Bruins will return to El Paso on New Year's Eve in search of double-digit victories again, with a New...
UCLA Blog | ESPN Los Angeles Dec 8, 2013
Hyundai Sun Bowl
Virginia Tech Hokies (8-4) vs. UCLA Bruins (9-3) Dec. 31, 2:30 p.m. ET, El Paso, Texas (CBS) VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES BREAKDOWN Virginia Tech played the way most people expected this season: Its defense was outstanding; its offense was not. There is little doubt the Hokies fielded a championship-caliber defense throughout the course of 2013, but offensive shortcomings ended up derailing any hope for a return to the ACC title game. The same issues that plagued Virginia Tech last season ended up dooming the offense again.
UCLA Blog | ESPN Los Angeles Dec 8, 2013
Pac-12 bowl schedule
The Pac-12 will feature a record nine bowl teams, though only one conference team is playing in a BCS bowl game. Here's the slate. Sat., Dec. 21 Gildan New Mexico Bowl : Albuquerque, N.M. (University Stadium) WASHINGTON STATE (6-6) vs. Colorado State (7-6), 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT, ESPN Sat., Dec. 21 Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl: Las Vegas, Nev. (Sam Boyd Stadium) USC (9-4) vs. Fresno State (11-1), 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT, ABC Tues., Dec. 24 Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl: Honolulu, Hawaii (Aloha Stadium) OREGON STATE (6-6) vs.
UCLA Blog | ESPN Los Angeles Dec 8, 2013
ESPN 300 DT commits to UCLA
It took UCLA until the beginning of December to land its first defensive line commit in the 2014 class, but the Bruins got a special one on Sunday, as ESPN 300 defensive tackle Ainuu Taua (Lompoc, Calif./Lompoc) made his commitment. The 6-foot, 293-pound tackle is the nation's No. 216 prospect and No. 20 player in California. He held offers from a number of Pac-12 programs, but the Bruins were always going to be difficult to beat. This past weekend, Taua took an official visit to UCLA -- his fourth visit, after trips to Washington State, Oklahoma and Mississippi -- and made his commitment.
UCLA Blog | Orange County Register Dec 8, 2013
UCLA secures commitment from top DL recruit
With three seniors set to graduate on UCLA's defensive line, the Bruins shored up their future depth with a key commitment on Saturday, landing four-star defensive lineman Ainuu Taua. The 5-11, 270-pound Taua is UCLA's first 2014 commit on the...
