Coach Jim Mora addressed the media after the first of two UCLA Bruins football practice on Tuesday morning.
The front end of the two-a-day was focused on preparing for Rice University as the team ran a few defensive schemes they would expect to see. Mora said it was mostly situational work in the morning, with the evening practice being a full contact practice.
Mora had extra praise for his defensive line, which ended up being a little bit of a sore spot for the Bruins last year.
[I'm] really happy with our defensive line. I think it is one of the strengths of our team. We can rotate eight or nine guys through there and not have any drop off.
Mora rebuffed the media slightly when asked to clarify what was different about this year's line and last year's.
I don't care what is different. I just care what ‘is' this year. I want to play fast, aggressive, and physical.
Most of the entire team was out at the practice. Freshman linebacker Nate Iese was seen without a splint or brace after dislocating his finger in Monday's practice. Junior cornerback Brandon Sermons sat out on Tuesday morning due to illness.
The Bruins have the second practice of the two-a-day at 7:00 p.m. PST tonight, which will be open to the public. It is the last public practice before the team focuses on their 2012 opener on the road against Rice University on August 30.
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