LOS ANGELES — UCLA’s ever-vocal offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy ratcheted up the toughness on Thursday morning during the Bruins’ spring football practice.
Back-to-back false starts by the offense had prompted an outburst from Bieniemy, who has shown purposeful, tough-love mannerisms throughout the spring. His words bounced off the walls of the practice facility:
“Either you know what to do, or you’re not going to play,” he shouted.
The offense is slowly tightening up with the Spring Showcase on deck for Saturday and two more practices remaining with new coaches like Bieniemy at the helm. However, there was a change at center on Thursday and it’s still unclear what the passing game will truly look like this season.
Bieniemy’s loud words of motivation eventually got a response out of the offense. Ethan Garbers threw a 7-yard pass to Michael Church and a touchdown pass of roughly 10 yards to Jack Pedersen. Justyn Martin then stepped in and completed a pass to Carter Shaw.
“Sometimes you have some good plays, sometimes you have some things that stall drives,” quarterbacks coach Ted White told reporters after practice.
“Practice is pretty much harder than the game. We want to be able to make the game an easy situation to where if something bad happens in the game, then we’re able to dust ourselves off and respond with the next play.”
Dovid Magna, who has taken repetitions at center with the first-team offensive line, was dressed for practice on Thursday but did not take part in 11-on-11 team periods. Josh Carlin was seen in his place.
“We’re kind of moving some pieces around and it’s all about putting the best five on the football field,” White said. “We just got to make sure that first and foremost we communicate to play, we receive the snap and we have an opportunity to put seven points on the board.”
Garbers took the majority of first-team repetitions on offense on Thursday. Martin and Chase Griffin worked their way in for just a handful of snaps.
White said that Martin reminds him of former New Orleans Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks and that he’s pleased with Martin’s eagerness to develop on the field and during meetings.
Garbers, meanwhile, has elevated the leadership skills he developed throughout last season.
“If he’s not in class, he’s in there watching extra film,” White said. “The installs that we’ve had — this is an NFL offense that we’re running and Ethan Garbers is doing a great job not only in the meeting room, but every day with his leadership qualities on how he gets the other 10 guys on the same page. I’m impressed with it.”
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Jay Toia injured
Defensive lineman Jay Toia suffered an apparent injury during an 11-on-11 team period on Thursday. He did not participate for the remainder of the practice but remained in the facility.
Toia had just returned to UCLA after previously entering the transfer portal and could be a valuable part 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 that Adkins had a knee injury, but had no other updates. Adkins was seen wearing a full compression sleeve on his right leg during practice and was dressed but did not participate in team periods.
Smith III, who is recovering from a broken ankle, is now walking around and is wearing two shoes. Foster said he expects him to be back for training camp.
