No. 54 Josh Carlin of the UCLA Bruins during spring football practice at Wasserman Football Center on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles on Friday, April 19, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG) )
LOS ANGELES — UCLA's ever-vocal offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy upped his toughness Thursday morning during the Bruins' spring football practice.
The offense's back-to-back false starts led to an outburst from Bieniemy, who had shown intentional, tough-love habits throughout the spring. His words reflected off the walls of the practice facility.
“You either know what to do or you don't play,” he shouted.
With a spring showcase on deck on Saturday and two more practices left with a new coach like Bieniemy at the helm, the offense is gradually tightening up. But with Thursday's change at center, it's still unclear what the passing game will actually look like this season.
Bieniemy's words of great motivation ultimately resonated with the offensive line as well. Ethan Garbers threw a 7-yard pass to Michael Church and a nearly 10-yard touchdown pass to Jack Pedersen. Justin Martin then stepped in to complete the pass to Carter Shaw.
“There are some good plays, but there are also plays that kind of stall drives,” quarterbacks coach Ted White told reporters after practice.
“Practice is much more difficult than the game. We want to make it easier for us to play the game so that if something bad happens during the game, we can dust ourselves off and deal with it on the next play. .”
Dovid Magna, who plays repeatedly as a center on the first-team offensive line, prepared for Thursday's practice but did not participate in the 11-on-11 team period. In his place was Josh Carlin.
“We're moving some pieces, but it's all about getting the top five out on the football field,” White said. “First and foremost, we have to communicate to make plays, take snaps and make sure we have a chance to score seven points.”
Garbers was responsible for most of the first-team offense on Thursday. Martin and Chase Griffin hung in for just a few snaps.
White said Martin reminded him of former New Orleans Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks and was pleased with Martin's desire to improve on the field and in meetings.
Meanwhile, Garbers improved on the leadership skills he developed throughout last season.
“When I'm not in class, I watch extra movies there,” White said. “The installations we've gotten so far — this is an NFL offense that we're running, and Ethan Garbers has the leadership qualities, not just in the boardroom, but how he leads the other 10 guys. Doing a great job every day.'' Same page. I was impressed with that. ”
Jay Toia injured
Defensive lineman Jay Toia suffered an apparent injury during Thursday's 11-on-11 team period. He did not participate in the remaining practices, but remained at the facility.
Toia just returned to UCLA after previously entering the transfer portal and could be a valuable piece of the Bruins' pass rush this season.
Head coach Deshaun Foster also provided injury information for fullback Anthony Adkins and defensive lineman Gary Smith III on Monday.
Foster said Adkins suffered a knee injury but had no other updates. Adkins was seen wearing a full compression sleeve on his right leg and dressed during practice, but he did not participate in team periods.
Smith III, who is recovering from a broken ankle, is currently walking around in two shoes. He said Foster expects to return to training camp.
