Wrapping up the 2012 spring practices yesterday was UCLA, which will begin the Jim Mora era this year.
Outside of a coaching overhaul, though, not much else seems to be changing for the Bruins. Mora still hasn’t decided on a quarterback and all three QBs that were, at least at some point, in the mix for the starting job last year are still in the race this time around.
It appears Brett Hundley and Richard Brehaut (pictured) have separated themselves from former starter (when healthy) Kevin Prince, but this should be a race that goes right up until the start of the season. Brehaut and Prince have the experience, but Hundley is the raw talent with a lot of potential.
Likely not in the mix for the starting job is Rick Neuheisel‘s son, Jerry, a walk-on. Still, the former Bruins coach was on hand to watch his son participate in yesterday’s spring game.
Hundley went 12-of-20 for 185 yards and a touchdown; Brehaut 12-of-16 for 249 yds and four touchdowns. Prince was 8-of-11 and had a pair of TDs.
“I just got done telling them - now is the time to start working harder,” offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone said afterward. “To me, it’s what they do between now and August 1 that’s going to play a big decision in what happens next season.”
Johnathan Franklin, who has a much more secure grip on his job, carried the ball eight times for 28 yds; Malcolm Jones also had eight carries for 38 yards. Three receivers went over 100 yards yesterday: Jerry Johnson led all receivers with five catches for 125 and a pair of touchdowns. Tyler Scott had three receptions for 113 yards and two more touchdowns while Steven Manfro had seven catches for 105 yards.
Sheldon Price led the way on defense with two interceptions, one which he returned for a touchdown.
The 2012 schedule works out rather nicely for the Bruins with non-conference games against Rice and Case Keenum-less Houston, and the Pac-12 South has two other programs -- Arizona and Arizona State -- also entering their first season with a new coach.
And Colorado is... well...
The point is UCLA almost certainly won’t make a dent in the Pac-12 South race this fall, but the opportunity is there for a solid first season under Mora to build some momentum for 2013.