Coastal Carolina QB Challenge: UCLA Prepares for Season Opener at Rose Bowl
UCLA readies for Coastal Carolina clash, while Chip Kelly's practice secrets remain guarded.
Less than two weeks away from UCLA’s September 2 season opener at the Rose Bowl against Coastal Carolina, the Bruins are gearing up for the challenge ahead. The Coastal Carolina quarterback, Grayson McCall, is recognized as one of the country’s top signal-callers. With an impressive track record of 78 touchdowns and just eight interceptions over multiple seasons, McCall boasts a remarkable 70.6 percent completion rate in his throws, making him a formidable opponent for UCLA’s secondary.
The renowned practices of Chip Kelly, UCLA’s head coach, are known for their secrecy. Usually, the media is granted only a brief window of about 15-20 minutes during practices, primarily focusing on individual drills rather than revealing any strategic elements. In essence, observing a UCLA practice doesn’t yield much information, and this intentional discretion is by design. Despite this, UCLA’s media department is striving to keep fans informed about the team’s progress.
In a captivating nearly nine-minute video, viewers are offered an inside look into UCLA’s recent practice session. Interestingly, this practice occurred on the morning of the well-known ‘hurriquake’ that shook Southern California.
The video showcases snippets of various players engaged in on-field drills. Senior defensive end Carl Jones (No. 4) stands out with his enthusiastic efforts to energize the team for their training. Starting cornerback Jaylin Davies provides a unique perspective by wearing a go-pro camera, allowing fans to witness footage of punt returns, kick returns, and coverage situations. The video also introduces the team’s vibrant personalities. Numerous team members are interviewed about what sets them apart from their peers. Quarterback Ethan Garbers confidently claims his prowess in golf, while fellow QB Collin Schlee boldly proclaims himself as the team’s top basketball player, a title also claimed by corner Alex Johnson. Notably, the ongoing quarterback competition between Garbers and Dante Moore remains undecided.
Even TE Coach Jeff Faris contributes to the candid atmosphere, admitting to his daily McDonald’s habit. Among the more intriguing revelations, freshman LB Ty Lee confesses that he watches “The Grinch” on the eve of every game, a tradition he has maintained since his 8th-grade year. Towards the video’s conclusion, glimpses of former Bruins’ performances in the current NFL preseason are shared. Notably, former QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and RB Zach Charbonnet stand out for their impressive displays on the field.
As the anticipation builds for the upcoming clash against Coastal Carolina, UCLA’s meticulous preparation and player dynamics continue to pique interest.
