UCLA s Rise With Chip Kelly Has Been an Exercise in Patience Hp Feature - College Football HEAD TOPICS

UCLA s Rise With Chip Kelly Has Been an Exercise in Patience

10/22/2022 10:30:00 PM

The Bruins have quietly become the Pac-12 s last undefeated team @ByPatForde on how Chip Kelly has slowly built UCLA into a contender

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Sports Illustrated

The Bruins have quietly become the Pac-12’s last undefeated team. ByPatForde on how Chip Kelly has slowly built UCLA into a contender A highly-anticipated game at Oregon Saturday offers the UCLA coach a full-circle opportunity to re-establish his brand of coaching genius. That king has been captured many times from Thompson-Robinson through the course of his college career. He’s thrown 26 interceptions and lost 11 fumbles, with 2019 being a particularly turnover-prone season — 19 total, 12 of them picks and seven fumbles. In the season opener that year, sophomore Thompson-Robinson threw two interceptions and had two empty-hand fumbles, key elements in an upset loss at Cincinnati. “Whether it’s him getting in my tail, me getting in his tail, we’re just trying to make this thing as complete as possible,” Thompson-Robinson says. “We’re not leaving anything on the table. We’ve grown communication-wise and in just connecting. We’ll get after each other sometimes on the sideline. But that’s one thing I love about coach Kelly, I can go to him about anything and not feel judged about it.” Read more:
Sports Illustrated » Pac-12 recruiting update: Huge weekend for Oregon with UCLA in town for top-10 showdown Analysis College football best bets: UCLA, Oregon should light up the scoreboard College football top 25 picks: Pac-12 clash, UCLA vs. Oregon, takes center stage No. 9 UCLA welcomes ‘all eyes on us’ at No. 10 Oregon

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This Roast Chicken with Hot Honey recipe gets its flavor from cardamom, raw honey, and orange peel. Get the recipe from Food & Wine. Read more >> Pac-12 recruiting update: Huge weekend for Oregon with UCLA in town for top-10 showdownThe Ducks will have a slew of top players from the classes of 2023-25 on campus for the showdown. Analysis College football best bets: UCLA, Oregon should light up the scoreboardUCLA and Oregon have the potential to score a whole lot of points this weekend in a key Pac-12 matchup. College football top 25 picks: Pac-12 clash, UCLA vs. Oregon, takes center stageFrontPageBets goes behind the numbers for this Pac-12 matchup as well as the rest of the top 25. No. 9 UCLA welcomes ‘all eyes on us’ at No. 10 OregonThe Bruins have yet another ‘biggest game of the year,’ now with ESPN’s ‘ College Gameday’ and a national TV audience for their Pac-12 showdown with the Ducks No. 9 UCLA and No. 10 Oregon prepare for showdown in EugeneWhen No. 9 UCLA visits No. 10 Oregon on Saturday, there are more compelling storylines — like two quarterbacks who are among the Pac-12's best this season. UCLA vs. Oregon: Live updates, start time, score and betting oddsLas Vegas sportsbooks have No. 9-ranked UCLA (6-0, 3-0 in the Pac-12) as road underdogs against No. 10 Oregon (5-1, 3-0). Keep up-to-date with our live blog: Chip Kelly’s first two trips back to Autzen Stadium as UCLAFootball\r coach were duds. But when the No. 9 Bruins play No. 10 \roregonfootball today in Eugene, Ducks fans might feel like they’re seeing the guy who coached their team years ago. UCLAFootball oregonfootball Biden: I Got My Political Start ‘Back in 1871’ One in five Democrats have doubts about President Biden’s mental fitness, an October Harris Poll/HarrisX survey revealed. Bruins who have quietly become the last unbeaten standing in the conference.to Georgia, but it certainly helps because they needed a safety in this class.The game of the week No.By Gerry Ahern FrontPageBets Chip Kelly and the UCLA Bruins have quietly climbed into the top 10, peaking this week at No. In a sport where loyalties are increasingly fleeting—from all sides of the equation, administrators and coaches and players—UCLA has gotten here in throwback fashion. Everyone hung together. He’s a nice pick-up for the Ducks who has come along in his senior year. Now we’ll find out how far a smart, veteran group can go together.5 points, 3:30 p. Thompson-Robinson wore two rubber bracelets in practice Monday, both of which he said were gifts from his chess mentor, Seth Makowsky, and were chess-themed. John Bosco rivalry will continue next year in the Pac-12 with these commitments to Oregon and UCLA. “Player not a Piece,” said one. The Bruins (6-0) head to Eugene and raucous Autzen Stadium on Saturday, the place where Kelly built his reputation as an offensive guru. “Protect the King,” said the other. ESPN’s ‘GameDay’ will be there to watch Oregon play UCLA. It’s a recipe for the over, even though this game features one of the highest totals on the board. Thompson-Robinson said the king “could be anything. This week, for sure, it’s going to be the ball. Among the unofficial visitors, the biggest name is Jayden Limar , a four-star tailback from Lake Stevens, Washington.” That king has been captured many times from Thompson-Robinson through the course of his college career. UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson averages 9. He’s thrown 26 interceptions and lost 11 fumbles, with 2019 being a particularly turnover-prone season — 19 total, 12 of them picks and seven fumbles. He has been committed to Notre Dame since the spring and is the No.8% of his passes. In the season opener that year, sophomore Thompson-Robinson threw two interceptions and had two empty-hand fumbles, key elements in an upset loss at Cincinnati. That was UCLA’s second season under Kelly, and the Bruins’ second straight loss to the Bearcats. Now, he’s seeing Oregon for an unofficial visit.21 rating (100th nationally). The questions about both the coach and his chosen quarterback were beginning to mount. But afterward, Kelly stood firm in his support for Thompson-Robinson. Limar is one of several recruits committed to other schools who will be in Eugene. “I love coaching Dorian,” he said that night.98). Quarterback Bo Nix is completing 70. The two have been in lockstep just about ever since. Right now, he’s committed to Wisconsin, but the decision came back when Paul Chryst was the Badgers’ coach, before he got fired. It hasn’t always been easy—there has been some mutual exasperation, some sideline flare-ups—but the growth is profound. Their careers have been intertwined for five roller-coaster seasons. Three-star receiver. Oregon’s defense also struggles to keep opponents from scoring once they cross the 50. “Whether it’s him getting in my tail, me getting in his tail, we’re just trying to make this thing as complete as possible,” Thompson-Robinson says. “We’re not leaving anything on the table. No. We’ve grown communication-wise and in just connecting. Oregon’s passing offense ranks sixth in success rate and 10th in EPA per pass; UCLA’s defense ranks 88th and 75th in those categories. We’ll get after each other sometimes on the sideline. But that’s one thing I love about coach Kelly, I can go to him about anything and not feel judged about it.” Kelly appreciates Thompson-Robinson’s intellect, but what he loves most is his quarterback’s competitive spirit. Advertisement The favorite Northern Illinois (-3) at Ohio, 2 p. He’s listed at 6’1” and 205 pounds, with a slightly built upper body, but brings a linebacker’s mentality to the field. 2 Ohio State UT Martin vs. “He’s tough as hell,” Kelly says. “One of the most underrated qualities of a quarterback is toughness. Three weeks ago, Ohio lost by seven in overtime at Kent State, but the score probably should have been worse. He will stand in there and take a hit, he doesn’t run away from anything—he could be a great safety.” Thompson-Robinson has been in lockstep with Kelly to open the 2022 season. Kiyoshi Mio/USA TODAY Sports Kelly referenced a play in the Bruins’ victory over Washington earlier this month, in which a Thompson-Robinson pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by a Huskies defensive lineman. Last week’s second-half box score in Ohio’s 33-14 win over Western Michigan was even more peculiar because Broncos quarterback Jack Salopek threw five interceptions in the final two quarters. 5 Clemson No. Thompson-Robinson charged in and delivered a hit that caused the lineman to fumble, and UCLA retained possession. “We just went on to second down, and I went, ‘Whoa!’ “ Kelly says. “There’s a ton of respect for that. He had five touchdown passes and only one interception before suffering the injury against Vanderbilt on Sept.” Thompson-Robinson, for his part, was mildly offended at the idea of being just a quarterback or a safety. “I think I could play any position on the field,” he says. 20 Texas vs. “I’m one of the guys that loves to compete.1 passing yards per game, by far the most in the Football Bowl Subdivision. If it involves a ball and it involves winning and losing, I’m there.” As UCLA’s win totals have increased last year and this year, Thompson-Robinson’s mistakes have decreased. His interceptions has dropped from 3..3% of his total passes in 2019 to 2. No. 9% in ’20, 2.1% in ’21 and 1.2% this year. While still possessing an affinity for the splash play, he’s also much more willing to make the safe play. That’s the kind of maturity coaches love to see come out in players as they progress through their college careers. No. Fortunately for UCLA, in this transient era, Thompson-Robinson chose to keep making those plays in a powder-blue uniform. “Dorian has done a really good job of finding the edge—the right edge for him,” quarterbacks coach Ryan Gunderson says. “Having great focus but being himself and being aggressive, knowing when to make a play until it’s time to make the play. Chip and Dorian are on the same page. Those two kind of feed off each other. Call 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling for help. “With really talented kids who are in their fourth and fifth year, that’s where you go. At the quarterback position, that’s where they should be going.” At this point, Thompson-Robinson should be considered a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender. In addition to leading a surprise unbeaten, he’s fifth nationally in pass efficiency, seventh in total offense yards per play (8.49) and has accounted for 19 touchdowns in six games. A 35-year veteran sports editor and digital media executive, he has led coverage of the biggest events in sports, from Super Bowls, to Final Fours, to Olympics, to the Masters. The only complication might be that his teammate, running back Zach Charbonnet, might take votes away from him as a national top-ten rusher (123 yards per game). Thompson-Robinson has a lot of company in UCLA’s locker room when it comes to steadily maturing veterans. The depth chart is rife with grad students and other players who have been around and played a lot of football. This isn’t quite a BYU roster full of adults who went on Mormon missions, but it’s not far off. A look at UCLA’s starting lineup according to this week’s depth chart reflects that. The average starter has played 37.2 college games. When the Bruins take the field in Autzen Stadium Saturday, it will be the 50th game each for receiver Jake Bobo, offensive lineman Atonio Mafi and defensive back Stephan Blaylock. “We’re older than dirt,” says receiver Jake Bobo with a laugh. Mafi and Blaylock have done all their playing at UCLA. Bobo is a transfer from Duke who has immediately added some juice to the passing game. He’s averaging 16 yards per reception and has four touchdowns in the past two games. “I had a year left, wanted to make a decision based on football,” Bobo says. “I wanted to win games, something I hadn’t done a lot of the previous four years. I felt like UCLA had the best shot to do something on a national stage — I did my research on guys coming back, guys coming with me. “We had goals coming into the year. A lot of guys in this building knew the goals were attainable. But I think some folks outside the building didn’t necessarily know. It’s been cool to kind of show folks what we’ve been knowing since April.” Kelly will face the school that brought him much acclaim on Saturday. Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports Kelly is justifiably proud of his old-smart roster, saying this team is all about two things: books and ball. There isn’t a lot of time wasted worrying about key players getting in youthful trouble, because so few of the key players are teenagers. Instead, Kelly has put together a team of guys like defensive lineman Jacob Sykes, a transfer from Harvard. “He was an applied mathematics major at Harvard,” Kelly says. “His mom said she was a little disappointed, she wanted him to be an engineer. He said applied mathematics is the new engineering, so he lost me after that.” Kelly is a smart guy himself, but at his core he’s a football coach. He’s gifted at scheming against split safeties, not splitting atoms. A reporter asked him if he engages in academic conversations with his players, and the answer was a trademark Kelly snipe. “Yeah, Pythagorean theorem,” Kelly shoots back. “We discuss that a lot in our meetings.” Chip Kelly made his rep as the smartest guy in the room at Oregon more than a decade ago, racking up a 46–7 record there and getting the Ducks into the 2010 BCS Championship Game. Then he moved on to the NFL and wasn’t able to replicate that success. His return to the college game has been a much slower build than imagined. But he’s close now, close to being back at the pinnacle. A game at Oregon Saturday offers a full-circle opportunity to re-establish his brand of coaching genius. Just don’t expect him to acknowledge it. What other people think doesn’t easily penetrate the walls of the practice field at UCLA, Kelly’s inner sanctum. “I don’t understand that mentality, why people would want to go online and read about what’s being said about you,” he says. “I learned a long time ago, praise and blame are all the same. We don’t play for the approval of others. We do what we do, you get to be around good kids like this, it’s fun.” More College Football Coverage: .