Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

3 hours ago

Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.

7 hours ago

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

7 hours ago

Poll: Most Americans Say National Divide, Political Violence Threaten Democracy

7 hours ago

Paramount Settles With Trump Over ‘60 Minutes’ Interview for $16 Million

7 hours ago

Republicans Tee up House Vote on Trump Bill, Outcome Uncertain

7 hours ago

What’s Next for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs After His Sex Trafficking Trial?

7 hours ago

Dalai Lama Says He Will Be Reincarnated, Trust Will Identify Successor

8 hours ago
Young UCLA Hopes It Can Beat Fresno State. What Do You Think?
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 7 years ago on
September 11, 2018

Share

LOS ANGELES — As more freshmen find their way onto the field for UCLA, it might seem like new Coach Chip Kelly is focused on the future.
However, Kelly insists his attention is on getting the Bruins a win, ideally against Fresno State on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
The answer could come when quarterback Wilton Speight is healthy enough to play again. The Michigan graduate transfer was a limited participant in the portion of practice open to reporters Monday, doing more than he has at any point since sustaining a back injury in the 26-17 loss to Cincinnati in UCLA’s season opener.

“Our temptation is to beat Fresno.” — UCLA Coach Chip Kelly, answering if the Bruins are tempted to build for the future over trying to win now
Kelly said Speight is not guaranteed to reclaim the starting job when he returns.
“There’s no promises to anybody,” Kelly said. “We want to make sure he’s healthy before we do anything.”
Dorian Thompson-Robinson made his first career start in a 49-21 loss at No. 5 Oklahoma on Saturday, completing 16 of 26 passes for 254 yards and one touchdown. But Kelly said he is not tempted to commit to the touted freshman and let Thompson-Robinson work through any growing pains.
“Our temptation is to beat Fresno,” Kelly said.

Youth Movement for Bruins?

Still, it looks as though UCLA (0-2) might be going with a youth movement against the Bulldogs (1-1) and beyond, even if it is not stated explicitly.
Thompson-Robinson took snaps from freshman center Christaphany Murray. Freshman running backs Kazmeir Allen and Martell Irby each got 10 carries against the Sooners and combined for 78 yards rushing. Freshman receiver Chase Cota had four receptions for 45 yards and Michael Ezeike scored a touchdown on his first career catch.
A total of 13 freshmen played against Oklahoma, which Cota said is the product of putting Kelly’s teachings into action.
“A lot of us freshmen are playing now because we’re really keying into what he says and trying to be the best we can as a unit,” Cota said.
Cota enrolled early to participate in spring practice and was able to get any early jitters out against the Bearcats, opportunities that eluded Ezeike. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Ezeike made his college debut after a strong week of practice, but insisted there were no nerves playing for the first time on the road.
“Honestly, it wasn’t as difficult as it seems,” Ezeike said. “Actually, it was pretty exciting, just being out there. I was more exciting than nervous playing out there.”
Kelly said Ezeike earned his playing time and was hopeful he could build on the performance, something Cota said Thompson-Robinson was able to do after replacing Speight against the Bearcats.
“He just seems like a lot more relaxed the second game,’ Cota said. “You know he knew what the shots are going to feel like after the first game, so he knew going into it like, ‘Hey, this is going to be a battle.’ He was aware. I was aware. And he stayed composed through it all, and in the end he ended up playing better in the second half than the first half so you could tell that he was confident in himself.”
Cota was especially impressed with the leadership Thompson-Robinson displayed at Oklahoma and expects him to continue to develop with more playing time.
“He realizes he has to take us in like we’re his team, and I’ve bought into it,” Cota said. “I’m like, ‘Shoot, DTR is our leader right now,’ so it’s pretty special, and I think he’s doing a great job in that role.”

What Might Have Been for Bulldogs

On Saturday, Seth Green ran for two short touchdowns, including the game-winning 3-yard score late in the fourth quarter, and Antoine Winfield Jr. sealed it with an interception off a trick play in the end zone as Minnesota held off Fresno State 21-14.

“It’s a play we’ve run before and we were comfortable running it. You can’t blame it on the play call at all. We had our opportunities in the first half and we didn’t execute the way we should have.” — Fresno State QB Marcus McMaryion
On first-and-goal from the 4 with 1:18 to play, Bulldogs quarterback Marcus McMaryion handed off to fullback Josh Hokit, who floated a pass toward Jared Rice in the corner of the end zone.
But Winfield reached back with both hands, snagged the ball and somehow got his foot down in bounds for the touchback.
“I saw the ball come over and I just went high up under the ball,” said Winfield, who added he thought he was beaten on the play.
The Bulldogs successfully ran the same final play twice last year, with Hokit throwing a 65-yard touchdown pass against Incarnate Ward and a 16-yard score against Nevada. But Fresno State Coach Jeff Tedford said Saturday night’s pass was underthrown.
“It’s a play we’ve run before and we were comfortable running it,” McMaryion said. “You can’t blame it on the play call at all. We had our opportunities in the first half and we didn’t execute the way we should have.”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

DON'T MISS

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

DON'T MISS

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

DON'T MISS

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

DON'T MISS

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

DON'T MISS

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

DON'T MISS

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

DON'T MISS

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

UP NEXT

Wonderdog Still Barking: Justin Wilson Thrives With Boston Red Sox

UP NEXT

Trump Administration Orders CA to Strip Trans Athlete of Medals

UP NEXT

Thunder Cap Incredible Season by Beating Pacers for NBA Title

UP NEXT

LA Dodgers Pledge $1 Million to Support Families Impacted by ICE Raids

UP NEXT

The Secret to Finding the Best Travel Bargains

UP NEXT

Amazon’s Prime Day 2025 Levels Up With Four Days of Deals Starting July 8

UP NEXT

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Get a 400% Pay Raise

UP NEXT

It’s Final. No Live Horse Racing at Big Fresno Fair in 2025

UP NEXT

Buss Family to Sell Lakers at $10 Billion Valuation, ESPN Says

UP NEXT

LA Dodgers Say They Denied ICE Agents Access to Stadium Parking Lot

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

1 hour ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

1 hour ago

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

2 hours ago

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

2 hours ago

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

3 hours ago

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

3 hours ago

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

4 hours ago

US Judge Blocks Trump Asylum Ban at US-Mexico Border, Says He Exceeded Authority

4 hours ago

Fresno Fire Investigators Seek Public’s Help in Arson Case

5 hours ago

CHP Officer Dies in Line of Duty After Medical Emergency While on Patrol

5 hours ago

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

A Madera County Sheriff’s deputy was injured Tuesday during a violent encounter with a wanted felon near the Fresno River, the Madera County...

31 minutes ago

On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, a Madera County sheriff’s deputy was injured while trying to arrest a wanted felon, Felix Adrian Nucamendi Carrasco, 40, who later fled and was captured near Raymond Road. (Madera County SO)
31 minutes ago

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

A wildfire dubbed the Madre Fire has burned over 3,300 acres near New Cuyama with 0% containment, officials said Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (CalFire)
34 minutes ago

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

53 minutes ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

Jose Luna (left), 33, and Ralph Grajeda, 45, both of Visalia, have been sentenced for their roles in the 2020 shotgun killing of Robert Soto at a local motel. (Tulare County DA)
1 hour ago

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

A U.S. Justice Department logo or seal showing Justice Department headquarters, known as "Main Justice," is seen behind the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

2 hours ago

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

2 hours ago

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) logo and U.S. flag are seen in this illustration taken May 6, 2025. (Reuters File)
3 hours ago

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend