University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA Prepares for 1998 Season
June 18, 1998
LOS ANGELES - One of the most exciting and highest-scoring offenses (No. 3 nationally during the regular season and a school-record 477 points in 12 games) in the nation returns many of the key performers from that unit but will be without taiback Skip Hicks and wide receiver Jim McElroy, who scored 37 touchdowns a year ago. The Bruins averaged 429.7 yards per outing with a scheme that features a balance between the running and passing games.
QUARTERBACK
The Bruins have the nation's No. 1 player at this position - senior CADE McNOWN (6-1, 214) - returning for his fourth season as a starter. One of the front-runners for the 1998 Heisman Trophy, he enjoyed a spectacular junior campaign while leading UCLA to a 10-2 record, a victory in the Cotton Bowl and a No. 5 ranking on both wire service polls. McNown was one of three finalists for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy balloting and earned third-team All-America honors from Associated Press.
In just three seasons, he has already broken most of UCLA's career and season passing and total offense records. He enters his senior year with 7,238 passing yards and 487 completions, both No. 1 on UCLA's career list. His 43 touchdown passes rank second only to Tom Ramsey's 50 and his 7,633 yards of total offense rank No. 1 on that list.
In 1997, McNown completed 189 of 312 passes for a school-record 3,116 yards to become the first player in school history to break the 3,000-yard barrier. He tied Troy Aikman's school record with 24 touchdown passes and threw just six interceptions. He raised his completion percentage from 52.4 as a sophomore to 60.6 as a junior. He led the nation with his efficiency rating of 168.6, setting a Pac-10 record and ranking 12th on the all-time NCAA list.
Last season, McNown passed for at least 200 yards in every game and enters his senior year with a string of 15 consecutive 200+ yard games. He threw for at least one touchdown in 10 of his 12 games and set a school record with five touchdown passes against Texas - all in the first half. His 400 passing yards against Tennessee rank No. 2 on the single-game list.
The fiery competitor was at his best in the Cotton Bowl, rallying the Bruins from a 16-point deficit to a 29-23 victory and earning Offensive Most Valuable Player honors. It was the second-largest comeback in the history of the Cotton Bowl, surpassed only by Joe Montana and Notre Dame. On the day, he completed 16 of 29 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored on a 20-yard run.
Sophomore DREW BENNETT (6-5, 195) enters the season as the primary backup to McNown, having solidified his position with a productive Spring Practice. A fine all-around athlete who earned a roster spot as a walk-on in 1996, he did a fine job as McNown's backup a year ago. Bennett appeared in six games and completed three of six passes for 52 yards, including an 11 -yard touchdown. Redshirt freshman SCOTT McEWAN (6-3, 200), who passed for over 2,100 yards and 14 touchdowns while earning prep All-America honors at Thousand Oaks (CA) High in 1996, figures to be the No. 3 quarterback. He flashed a strong arm and made consistent improvement during the Spring.
Two prep All-Americans, RYAN McCANN (6-4, 200) and CORY PAUS (6-2, 205) will try to make an early impression upon their arrival this Fall. McCann was selected to PrepStar's Dream Team despite missing five games with a shoulder separation. He still passed for 1,020 yards and eight scores at Agoura High. Paus, who reminds people of McNown with his style of play, was also named to PrepStar's Dream Team after passing for 2,146 yards and 26 touchdowns and running for 456 yards and eight scores while leading Lincoln Way High to the Illinois Class 6A championship and earning Illinois Player of the Year honors.
"If there is a better Heisman Trophy candidate than Cade McNown, I'd like to meet him," said Toledo. "I can't imagine anyone being more valuable to his team than Cade is to us. He has the complete package - he possesses a strong arm, quick feet and outstanding leadership qualities. He knows the offense like a coach and has developed a comfort level with our system. But, above all else, he is driven to succeed. He is an extremely competitive person who is always looking for a way to improve, whether it be by working out with his teammates or watching video by the hour.
"Drew made outstanding progress last year and we would certainly not be afraid to put him in the game in a crucial situation. He is a fine athlete. Scott is a young talent who made good strides during Spring Practice.We are also anxious to get the freshmen into the program and begin their assimilation of our playbook."
RUNNING BACK
In each of Bob Toledo's four seasons at UCLA - two as offensive coordinator and two as head coach - the Bruin offense has produced a 1,000-yard rusher at tailback. Karim Abdul-Jabbar accomplished that feat in 1994 and 1995 and Skip Hicks broke the barrier in 1996 and 1997.
The Bruins have two returnees who figure to battle for the starting job throughout the year. Sophomore JERMAINE LEWIS (5-7, 177) did a fine job as Hicks' backup a year ago. He ranked second on the team with 282 yards, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. He was at his best in the Bruins' win at Oregon. With Hicks sidelined, Lewis ran for 75 yards on 10 carries. He also rushed for 45 yards against Washington, 41 and one touchdown versus Houston and 38 and one score against Oregon State. Lewis enjoyed a very productive Spring Practice and enters Fall camp with a slight lead at the position. He is very strong for his size and is hard to tackle.
Junior KEITH BROWN (6-0, 214), who possesses a good combination of speed and power, will compete with Lewis for the starting position. Last season, he rushed for 272 yards on 67 attempts (4.1 average) to rank third on the squad behind Hicks and Lewis. With Hicks sidelined for most of the Oregon game, he ran for a career-high 88 yards on 14 carries. He also rushed for 79 yards and one touchdown at Texas. He impressed the coaching staff with his determination during Spring drills.
At fullback, senior CRAIG WALENDY (6-1, 229) has established himself as one of the top players in the West at his position. A good all-around athlete, he is a devastating blocker and catches the ball well out of the backfield, averaging 11.3 yards on his eight receptions. He started seven games a year ago, his second as a starter, and is the unsung hero of the offensive unit.
Junior DURELL PRICE (6-0, 226) will compete with Walendy for playing time. Price made the move from tailback during the 1997 season and possesses great speed for his current position. He rushed for 36 yards on 12 carries a year ago but figures to get more attempts as he gains experience.He also improved his blocking skills during Spring Practice. Junior MARK VERTI (6-1, 228), who made the team as a non-scholarship player and has contributed on special teams, will add depth at fullback this season.
Two freshmen join the team in August and one - DeSHAUN FOSTER (6-1, 205)- could have an immediate impact. Considered by many prep rating services to be the nation's top back a year ago, he will have the opportunity to work his way into the tailback rotation. Last year at Tustin High, Foster scored a California state record 59 touchdowns while rushing for 3,398 yards and averaging 10.3 yards per attempt. Fast and powerful, he was selected to virtually every prep All-America team while leading his school to a 13-1 record. In the CIF title game, he rushed for 377 yards and six touchdowns in a 55-42 loss. KEN PRITCHETT (5-9, 170) will also try to force his way into the tailback rotation when he arrives. A year ago at Crescenta Valley High, he rushed for 1,816 yards and 22 touchdowns while leading his school to its first league title in 21 years.
"Our goal is to have a balanced offense and for that to be the case, we need production from the tailback position," Toledo said. "Jermaine and Keith are both capable of developing into productive performers and they both performed very well during Spring Practice. They have different running styles. Jermaine is a little quicker and more elusive because of his size, but he is also surprisingly strong. Keith has outstanding speed and can also run well inside because of his size and strength.
"Craig was one of the unsung heroes of our success a year ago and we expect great things from him in 1998. He is a tremendous blocker who really enjoys clearing the way for our tailbacks or protecting Cade. We also feel that Durell has the ability to develop into an outstanding fullback.
"Tailback is one of the positions a freshman could earn some playing time and we're excited about DeShaun and Ken. I want to have a 1,000-yard rusher whenever possible, but this may be a year we rotate several tailbacks."
TIGHT END
The tight end position is one of the deepest on the Bruin squad. Senior MIKE GRIEB (6-4, 248) is a tremendous all-around performer and should contend for post-season honors. A fine blocker who runs well and can catch the ball in traffic, he has made 39 receptions in the last two years. In 1997, he ranked fourth on the team with 20 catches for 249 yards and his five scoring receptions ranked second only to Jim McElroy in this category. He scored two touchdowns against both Texas and USC and his second score against the Trojans, good for 38 yards, featured five broken tackles and gave UCLA the lead for good.
Many of UCLA's formations feature double tight ends and senior RYAN NEUFELD (6-4, 238) and junior GABE CRECION (6-5, 238) will compete for that spot. In 1997, Neufeld caught four passes for 60 yards and one touchdown and scored the winning touchdown in the Cotton Bowl on a five-yard tight end reverse. Crecion, who split this Spring between football and baseball (he is a pitcher on the Bruin staff), made six catches for 79 yards a year ago.
Two other players will also have the chance to contribute this season. Redshirt freshman BRYAN FLETCHER (6-5, 222) is a fast all-around athlete who earned prep All-America honors in 1996. He is a fine all-around athlete with trmendous size and potential. Junior RANDY HAKES (6-3, 244) transferred to UCLA in January after earning first-team JUCO All-America honors at Mesa Community College and enjoyed a good Spring Practice.
In addition, two highly-recruited freshmen - SAIA MAKAKAUFAKI (6-3, 248) and CHRIS JACKSON (6-3, 253) will join this unit in the Fall. Makakaufaki, who earned All-America honors and was considered the top tight end in the West, led Laguna Hills High with 17 receptions for 397 yards and seven touchdowns. Jackson, also a prep All-American, averaged 18 yards per catch and made 105 unassisted tackles at Kentridge High in Washington.
"We have an outstanding group of players at this position," said Toledo. "This is definitely one of the strengths of our team. Mike is one of the most consistent players on the team. He can block, run and catch the ball. Neufeld has good speed and is a good blocker and Crecion has excellent hands. Fletcher is a talented youngster who, with experience, will be an outstanding tight end for us. Hakes was a junior college All-American who we expect to contribute this season.We will also take a look at the freshmen when they arrive."
WIDE RECEIVER
Despite the loss of Jim McElroy, who accounted for 988 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns, UCLA has a number of quality receivers who figure to play key roles in the team's success.
First and foremost is junior flanker DANNY FARMER (6-4, 210). A gifted athlete who also plays a key role on UCLA's NCAA championship volleyball team (he did not participate in Spring Practice), Farmer is the most experienced of the returnees. He has deceptively fast speed, catches the ball well in traffic and has a knack for the big play. He started all 12 games in 1997 and ranked second on the squad with 41 receptions for 649 yards and three touchdowns. Five of his catches were good for at least 35 yards. In his two seasons, Farmer has made 72 receptions for 1,173 yards and seven touchdowns.
Junior BRAD MELSBY (6-1, 193) enters Fall camp as the front-runner for the starting split end position. As a true freshman in 1995, he came on strong at the end of the season, finishing the year with 12 receptions for 173 yards and two touchdowns, both in the Aloha Bowl. An accurate route runner who makes the tough catch across the middle, he missed the entire 1996 season after tearing a knee ligament in Spring Practice. He also missed most of last season due to illness, returning to practice for the final few weeks of the regular season.
Sophomore BRIAN POLI-DIXON (6-5, 205) will battle Melsby for starting honors at split end. A year ago as a true freshman, he made 10 receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Poli-Dixon, who reminds people of former All-American J.J. Stokes because of his size and receiving skills, figures to play a key role in UCLA's success over the next few years.
Two redshirt freshmen - FREDDIE MITCHELL II (5-11, 190) and CODY JOYCE (6-1, 192) - will be competing for playing time at flanker and could also see additional action in three- and four-receiver sets. at this position. Mitchell, who earned prep All-America acclaim while making 30 catches for seven touchdowns in 1996, possesses outstanding speed and was one of the standouts during Spring Practice, catching virtually everything thrown in his direction. Joyce, who caught 65 passes as a prep All-American in 1996, possesses good size and speed and was one of the plesant surprises of Spring drills. In addition, senior AKIL DAVIS (5-10, 181), who has been bothered by injuries throughout his career, will also compete for playing time. Non-scholarship players DENNIS FOX (6-4, 216) and RYAN WILKINS (5-11, 192) will add depth to the wide receiver position.
In the Fall, two prep All-Americans - JON DUBRAVAC (6-3, 205) and PAUL NELSON (6-1, 191) will join the receiving corps. Last year, Dubravac made 43 receptions for 642 yards and eight touchdowns at Mullen High in Colorado while Nelson, regarded as the No. 1 receiving prospect in the West and a PrepStar Dream Teamer, caught 57 passes for 908 yards and 11 scores.
"Danny is an outstanding receiver and we expect him to have a big year," Toledo said. "He is a great athlete who has made tremendous strides over the past few years. Brad did a great job during Spring Practice and re-established himself as a quality receiver. Those two will be the leaders of an otherwise very young group of receivers.
"Brian is a talented youngster who has great promise. The experience he gained last season as a true freshman was invaluable to his development and we expect great things from him. Freddie and Cody both possess raw talent and both played very well during the Spring, giving us a rotation of five quality receivers. In addition, Akil will also add depth and speed.
"Both of our incoming freshmen are very talented and it wouldn't surprise me if either Paul or Jon earned a spot in the rotation this year."
OFFENSIVE LINE
Three returning starters form the nucleus of what will again be an outstanding unit. Junior KRIS FARRIS (6-9, 310) and seniors ANDY MEYERS (6-5, 313) and SHAWN STUART (6-3, 300) will all be in their third years as starters and all have the potential to earn post-season recognition. Several talented youngsters will compete for the other two starting spots as well as the reserve roles.
Farris has started 23 consecutive games at left tackle during his career. He has made great strides during his two years in Westwood and is a definite candidate for All-America honors. He possesses great size, strength and quickness to go with outstanding overall athletic ability. He is a fine pass blocker who has learned to use his size and strength to punish opponents when blocking on runs.
Meyers is an aggressive performer who has started 22 of the last 23 games, including all 12 last year. He has great strength, pass protects very well and is an outstanding run-blocker from his guard position. In his two years as a starter, he has established himself as one of the top guards in the West and is a pre-season third-team All-America selection. In addition to being an honors candidate on the field, he was also an Academic All-District selection a year ago.
Stuart is simply the best center in the Pac-10 Conference. A starter in 23 consecutive games, he is responsible for making the various line calls and figures to be the leader of this unit. He has good quickness and strength and is equally adept at pass protection and run blocking. Like Meyers, he is also an outstanding student, having earned second-team Academic All-America honors as a junior.
Sophomore OSCAR CABRERA (6-4, 308) enters Fall camp as the front runner for the starting left guard position. He saw limited action a year ago as a second-year freshman, demonstrating his overall athletic talent and his ability to handle the job. Junior MATT PHELAN (6-4, 280), who saw action as a reserve a year ago and has played all three line positions in his first three years in the program, will battle Cabrera for playing time.
Sophomore BRIAN POLAK (6-4, 317) emerged from Spring Practice as the starting right tackle. A talented youngster who earned playing time as a true freshman in 1997, he made consistent improvement during the Spring and established himself as one of the top five linemen on the squad. He can also play at guard if necessary.
Two redshirt freshmen will add depth on the line. DAVID WILFORD (6-5, 280) enters his first season of action pencilled in behind Farris at left tackle. ED ANDERSON (6-5, 287) will see the first action of his career as the No. 2 right guard behind Meyers. Both players gained valuable experience during the Spring as the coaching staff rested the veterans while giving the youngsters additional reps. Sophomore walk-on DOUG CUMMINGS (6-5, 294) figures to add depth at tackle.
Another promising youngster who will see the first action of his career is redshirt freshman TROY DANOFF (6-4, 297). Another former prep All-American, he enters the 1998 season pencilled in behind Stuart at center. He is another fine all-around athlete who only needs experience to develop into a fine collegiate lineman. Sophomore TONY IPPOLITO (6-4, 266), who earned some playing time at guard a year ago before injuring his knee, enters Fall camp listed No. 3 at center after spending the Spring rehabilitating his knee.
The line is an area where a newcomer or two could earn playing time and six highly-touted performers - one junior college transfer and five freshmen - join this unit in the Fall.
JAMES GHEZZI (6-5, 290) earned first-team junior college All-America honors at Glendale College in 1997 and will compete for the right tackle position. MIKE SAFFER (6-5, 290) a first-team USA Today All-American at Sabino High in Arizona, was regarded as one of the top two linemen in the nation. BLAKE WORLEY (6-6, 295), a PrepStar Dream Teamer from Capistrano Valley High, was considered to be, along with Saffer, one of the top two linemen in the West. All-American SCOTT WIEGAND (6-7, 270) from Arcadia High, was ranked among the West's top seven offensive linemen and JEFF WRIGHT (6-5, 285) earned prep All-America honors at Covina High. The fifth high school signee in this unit is SuperPrep All-American STEVE MORGAN (6-3, 305), from Skyline High in Texas.
"Once again in 1998, I feel the offensive line will be one of our team strengths," said Toledo. "In Kris, Andy and Shawn, we have three experienced and talented leaders. Kris made great strides a year ago to become an outstanding player and he has tremendous potential. Andy and Shawn came to UCLA at the same time and have been side-by-side on the line throughout their careers. Both are among the best players at their positions on the West Coast, are very hard workers and intelligent young men.
"Oscar Cabrera gained some valuable experience a year ago and should do a good job for us at left guard but he will have to fight off Matt Phelan, who has played a number of positions for us. Brian Polak emerged from the Spring as one of our top five linemen and we feel he will become a fine lineman. Troy Danoff, David Wilford and Ed Anderson will add quality depth on the line and make important contributions this season.
"The line is another area where a couple of newcomers could earn some major playing time and we feel we have as good a group coming in as we've ever recruited."