Bruins work to limit mistakes
UCLA FOOTBALL
UCLA has committed 21 turnovers this season, 14 of them interceptions. Coach Rick Neuheisel says establishing a better running game would help the Bruins maintain possession.
The three interceptions that hurt UCLA in the fourth quarter last weekend were nothing new.
The Bruins have lost the football 21 times this season and have stolen it from opponents only 11 times. That makes for a less-than-sterling minus-1.11 average turnover margin.
"It speaks for itself during the game," quarterback Kevin Craft said.
This week, Coach Rick Neuheisel reiterated that his team must hold onto the football and play a field-position game whenever possible, keeping the score close into the final minutes.
Two-thirds of the turnovers have been on interceptions and, while much of the blame has fallen on Craft, Neuheisel talked about developing a running game to take pressure off his quarterback.
"I know it sounds like a broken record," the coach said. But "it certainly eases his job and lessens the opportunity to turn the ball over."
The goal would be to increase the average carry from its current 2.6 yards to 4.0.
In terms of mistakes, Neuheisel also talked about the learning curve for his young team. The Bruins started eight freshmen against Oregon State last Saturday. They have played 22 freshmen and redshirt freshmen this season.
"That's way more than you'd like," he said. "Hopefully it bodes well for the future."
Wharton is a Times staff writer.
david.wharton@latimes.com
