Rivals photographer Nick Lucero captured hundreds of shots from last Saturday’s game:

HAVING THE EDGE RUSHERS AND DEFENSIVE LINEMEN TOGETHER IN YOUR SECOND YEAR, WHAT HAS THAT DONE TO IMPROVE THE GROUP COLLECTIVELY?

“I mean, that’s probably one of the biggest keys for our success is being able to come all together, front and outside. You know, as well as the defense, and I think the defense as a group, there’s so much that returned. They’re all on a different level in terms of communication, understanding one another. I know the D-line, the edges are getting a lot of publicity, but to us it’s really the whole defense. We need enough coverage in the back and then the linebackers getting us right, but, for sure, that’s one of our biggest ingredients is making sure they have the bond, on and off the field, that they can think without saying on the field.”

LAIATU LATU AND HIS PRODUCTION GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION LAST YEAR. TO DO WHAT HE’S DOING THIS YEAR, WHAT’S IT LIKE? ESPECIALLY BEING WITH HIM AT WASHINGTON, SAW HIM AT HIS LOWS WITH THE NECK INJURY, AND NOW BEING IN THE CONVERSATION AS A FIRST-ROUND NFL DRAFT PICK?

“Yeah, proud parent moment. Just watching his success, from where he came from, where we came from, just to use him as a great example of going through adversity and never giving up. But I also think with the rest of the group and how much they pushed him, as well, I think that’s what has added on to his success. But he has really good work ethic and he’s put in the time. Them, as a D-line, those guys would come out here working on weekends. So, I think, at this time, they’re reaping what they’ve sowed way back in January.”

WHAT ABOUT GABRIEL MURPHY? HAS HE STEPPED UP HIS PRODUCTION?

“Yeah, he’s playing really, really confident. Same thing, you know, Year 2, being able to match and probably even beat his expectations of what he’s doing right now. I think Grayson’s a great complement for him on the other side, but those two in the offseason have worked really, really well. Again, because of what the game plan is and what the coaches have done, it’s really put those two guys in position to make plays and I’m very thankful that they’re actually capitalizing on that.”

Mick Cronin:

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Sebastian Mack, Jan Vide and Lazar Stefanovic:

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I’ll have a football story a bit later in the day, but tonight is the men’s basketball team’s exhibition against Cal State Dominguez Hills and I wrote about a team that has a few roles to figure out early in the season:

Bruins open 19th in the initial College Football Playoff rankings of the season

Gets going around 9:30 or so.

UCLA should be very closely watched here. He visited this past weekend and just de-committed from UNLV:

Chip speaks in less than 30 mins.

Also, a 2024 QB recruit to keep an eye on who just decommitted this morning from UNLV. He was at the UCLA-Colorado game and we’ve got Adam Gorney working on it while I’m here at practice.

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The Good. The won the game and are now Bowl eligible with a record of 6 and 2. We finally got our record attendance with 71,000 including a huge group of HS players. The defense was at it's best getting to their QB numerous times including sacks. The defense held the running game to 25 yards in 24 carries and Sanders passed for 200 yards. Our offense, as ragged as it was, still managed nearly 500 yards in offense.

The Bad. the offense was very inconsistent with some bad throws and our running game was so-so despite some very long runs, Our special teams is the weak link and UCLA lacking a good return man really hurt. Thank goodness Colorado is not a good team or the situation could have been bad.

The Ugly. The offense had some very bad turnovers with the fumbles and interceptions. The margin of victory should have greater but UCLA kept shooting themselves in the foot.

Next UCLA plays Arizona and I fear this game. On paper, UCLA should win this game but I fear Coach Fisch. UCLA does not play well in Arizona and that's worrisome. If by some miracle UCLA gets passed the next two games that sets up UCLA for a whale of a game at the Coliseum

Head coach Chip Kelly:

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QB Ethan Garbers, WR Logan Loya:

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DT Gary Smith III, edge rusher Carl Jones Jr.:

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Hour until kickoff, airs on ESPN (7:30 p.m. PT)

What’s going on?

If they end up with the 20th-ish pick, he could really thrive in that system and as a missing piece. They need more guys who can guard multiple positions, someone to protect the rim, and someone to finish in transition.

Assuming they figure out how to retain Klay for a couple more years and lose CP3, they will need depth at 3-5 defensively but not necessarily a volume scorer.

Will check back in once I get to the stadium

Mick Cronin will meet with us around 9:30 a.m. followed by some players to look ahead to the Halloween night exhibition against Cal State Dominguez Hills and then we’ll be watching 10 mins of practice.

So I’ll have those media sessions later today and some notes on what I gather from my first in-person look at Berke Buyuktuncel and other observations.

He’s among 20 named to the preseason watch list for the Karl Malone Award, given annually to the nation’s top power forward

Are we blessed or cursed?
We have 3 quarterbacks, all talented and apparently available (assuming Schlee’s appearance at practice indicates he can play) and a somewhat soft schedule in which any or all of them should be able to run the offense.
Ethan Garbers provided a much needed steady hand against Stanford. He made great decisions and had no turnovers.
Schlee brings a running dimension to the position. He is also quite experienced.
Then we have Moore who has more upside either but displayed some freshmanitis playing against three of our toughest opponent, two of them on the road.
It seems it would be pretty hard and unlikely to remove Garbers after his performance vs Stanford. And like Dante, he shouldn’t feel like he has to be perfect lest he will be replaced.
I’m done trying to understand what Chip will do, but I will be in full support of whichever one is calling signals.
Just beat Colorado and Coach Prime and make a packed Rose Bowl rock.

A little more than 30 minutes from Chip’s media session this morning

Right here: