LOS ANGELES – Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the UCLA Bruins know the offense will face a tough test if they host LSU at the Rose Bowl for a non-conference game on Saturday.
Thompson-Robinson believes the Tigers’ defense is one of the « toughest matchups » they see all season.
The Bruins game plan will likely include a need to know where members of the Tiger stellar secondary school are lined up.
Junior Derek Stingley Jr. is one of the most highly acclaimed players on the Tigers roster and a player the Bruins must be accountable for at all times.
The All-American cornerback has played 22 games in the past two years, including the 2019 National Championship game. As a true freshman, he had six interceptions during the 2019 season.
« He’s very physical and a ball hawk, » said Thompson-Robinson. “He has very good ball skills and, together with (Eli) Ricks on the other side, can protect very well. … It will probably be the best secondary page. »
Ricks began his high school football career at Mater Dei before moving to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior year in 2019.
As a real newcomer to LSU, Ricks had returned 20 tackles, nine pass diversions and four interceptions – two for touchdowns – in 10 games.
LSU coach Ed Orgeron confirmed during a conference call with the SEC coaches that the defensive backs have trained this week and are expected to play on Saturday.
Stingley was identified in a photo tweeted by the coach wearing a yellow non-contact training jersey at the Texans NRG Stadium in Houston. Stingley faced a « minor camp violation ».
LSU decided to move and practice in Houston to avoid any impact of Hurricane Ida on the Tiger campus.
Chip Kelly didn’t shy away from calling UCLA’s non-conference soccer game against LSU earlier this week a « big game » from a national television perspective, but claimed the team’s mindset was no different from last week.
The Bruins’ 44-10 loss to Hawaii was also a nationally televised game with few games played on the week 0 table.
« We’re going all out, » said Kelly. « This is our Super Bowl and it’s your Super Bowl because it’s the next game on the list. »
Kelly’s « Super Bowl » comment should not be taken out of context, but rather highlight the importance of every game in the 2021 schedule that featured six opponents in the AP Top 25 preseason poll.
« To give one game more weight than another, be ashamed because normally, if you don’t put enough weight on it, you will likely end up on the shady side. » said Kelly. “Every game we play is the most important game we play, so every week is the Super Bowl for us. … You only get 12 (games), you better take them all very seriously and we’ll do it. ”
Defensive lineman Datona Jackson said the Bruins ‘confidence was high this week but would not limit the Bruins’ potential going forward.
« We’re going to stick to our schedule and play our kind of game, » said Jackson. « We won’t let anything shake us and nothing will make us bigger than what it is. »
The Maxwell Award is presented to the College Player of the Year towards the end of the season.
UCLA linebacker Bo Calvert, Charbonnet’s high school teammate at Oaks Christian, made a verbal push for the running back earlier this week as a Heisman Trophy candidate. Offensive lineman Atonio Mafi said he would vote for Charbonnet if he had a vote.
Charbonnet, with just six carries on Saturday, became the fourth Pac-12 player since 1996 to storm 100 or more yards and three touchdowns on his debut with a team.
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Running back Demetric Felton (Cleveland Browns) and defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa (Dallas Cowboys) have set up their respective 53-man squads at the start of the NFL season.
Felton, who was drafted in the sixth round, is listed as a running back, but can also contribute as a receiver and player in special teams. Odighizuwa was drafted in the third round by Dallas.
Former UCLA kicker JJ Molson has been named to the Green Bay Packers’ training squad. Molson last played for the Bruins in 2019.
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