COSTA MESA, Calif. - As UCLA is exactly three weeks away from its season opener against Utah at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, head coach Deshaun Foster is enjoying the direction his offense is headed.
Under new head coach Tino Sunseri, Foster said that his offense has been getting more familiar with the playbook and is now just focused on working out the kinks in situational football.
"I think that we know like who's tough. Who knows that they're doing now," Foster said. "Just situational stuff like who can function entirely. Who really knows the playbook."
The plan for how he wants to get the players more familiar with situational football is by having them scrimmage against each other.
Throughout camp, there has been constant praise for Tennessee Transfer quarterback, Nico Iamaleava and the command he has had during camp.
"We see strides when Nico's in the backfield," Foster said. "Coach (Andy Kwon) has done a great job developing the offensive line. They're gelling."
While Foster has had a great relationship with Iamaleava going back to the spring of last year, when he officially committed to UCLA, Foster said that the one thing he's learned during fall camp is how much of a competitor he is.
"He gets fired up when we have some of those competitive periods, and you kind of see his juices going," Foster said. "When they're jawing with some of the guys on defense that he knows. They're having fun and playing with enthusiasm."
During 11-on-11 goal line drills today, the defense got the better of Iamaleava as he did not complete a pass. Two of his four passes today were incomplete due to dropped balls by the receivers. Had they been caught, they would have likely been touchdowns.
On one of the pass plays today, the offensive line broke down, and the defense forced against Iamaleava by batting it out of his hands.
Another passing play was also blown up on an RPO. Electing to keep the ball, Iamaleava's eyes searched across the endzone but couldn't find an open receiver as the defensive backs were nearly glued alongside them. With nobody open, Iamaleava was forced to scramble on the play.
While the defense was impressive today, Foster noted that transfer from Louisville, linebacker Ben Perry had two sacks during Thursday's practice.
"I think he started practicing the other day," Foster said. "So he's coming to his own and just continuously working hard."
"That linebacker room is a stacked room. So it's just good to see what that guys are finding ways to help the team and get on the field."
While the defense had the better day today, Foster added that he's been impressed by what he's seen out of his offensive line during Fall Camp.
"The O-Line we're excited about all of them because it's just growth. There's a lot of new guys. But it's growth."
Growth on the offensive line is just what the doctor has dialed up as UCLA's line gave up 34 sacks last season.
Last week, offensive coordinator Sunseri announced that he is planning to run the ball a lot this season. Right now, he is mixing it up between two to three running backs as ways to utilize his new offensive line.
Today, Foster said that Jalen Berger and Javian Thomas have been impressive when it comes to the running back room.
"Two guys that have been in College Football that have played in big-time games. Have been in hostile situations. Hostile environments and still been up and performing," Foster said. "Anthony Woods is another one coming off strong. Karson Cox is still in there doing his thing. It's just good to see a freshman be able to get better each day."
UCLA offering a special ticket deal to first responders
Just at the end of his opening press conference on Saturday Afternoon, Deshaun Foster announced that UCLA will be honoring first responders from the LA Fires last Jan.
The Bruins are offering a deal of $4.73 tickets for first responders to attend their week 1 game against Utah on Aug. 30.
"Please come out. This is our first time opportunity to share and let them know how we feel about them," Foster said. "They basically saved us as they did as they did make it to (The Rose Bowl). We want to show our appreciation for them."
The Rose Bowl was just minutes away from the Eaton fire that destroy 14,000 acres of land.
During the Eaton fire, the Rose Bowl was used as a 'home' to first responders fighting the wildfire.
First responders will be eligible to purchase tickets by going to UCLA Football's social media pages.
Injury Updates
During today's media presser, Deshaun Foster confirmed that freshman defensive lineman Robert James lll will be out for the year with an injury.
During 11-on-11 goal line drills, defensive back Key Lawrence went down with a right leg injury. Lawrence was able to apply pressure to his leg following the injury, but needed help off the field.