UCLA running game is taking small steps forward to avoid being ‘dormant’

• September 24, 2024

LOS ANGELES — A fog rolled into Wasserman Center on Monday evening as the UCLA football team took the field for practice. Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” echoed across the field.

The air was thick with anticipation not just for practice but also for Saturday night’s game against Oregon at the Rose Bowl. It’s another opportunity for the running game to experience incremental success.

“It’s baby steps,” head coach DeShaun Foster told reporters. “It might not be the numbers that we want, but it’s improving each week. I just like that guys are champing at the bit. They want to be able to run the ball. … I’m not gonna say it’s dormant or anything like that. It’s getting there.”

The Bruins are seeing consistency in the running game’s production every week when taking the “yards gained” statistic into consideration. But they also want to take it to the next level.

UCLA ran for 71 yards in its season opener against Hawai’i before recording a season-best 96 yards against Indiana. The Bruins had 78 yards on the ground in the loss to LSU – although that number dips to 14 when looking at net yardage due to the five times quarterback Ethan Garbers was sacked.

“The stats might not say exactly what it did, but the run game helped us,” Foster told reporters after the LSU game. “It kept us ahead of the chains. It isn’t as easy as it seems, sometimes, but as long as my guys continue to fight and they want to get better, they will get better.”

Transfer Jalen Berger has now played in two games and could see an uptick in playing time due to his contributions so far. He’s averaged 16 yards per game and his speed gives him potential as well.

Running backs T.J. Harden and Keegan Jones are also valuable receivers out of the backfield. Harden averages 28 receiving yards per game and 24 rushing yards per game. Jones has had similar results with 20 receiving yards per game and 15.67 rushing yards per game.

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“You saw T.J. catch screens and other stuff out of the backfield and he’s been successful in other things,” Foster said. “So the numbers might not be exactly what you want them to be but as long as we’re keeping defenses off balance, I think we’re OK.”

Kanye Clark, Keanu Williams out for season

Foster told reporters on Monday evening that defensive back Kanye Clark and defensive lineman Keanu Williams both have suffered season-ending injuries. He did not disclose what the injuries were.

“I feel for those guys and just one positive is we get them back next season,” Foster said.

Clark is a former walk-on who was steadily contributing to the defense. He had two pass breakups and a solo tackle in two games.

Williams, a redshirt junior was a starting defensive tackle opposite of senior Jay Toia. He had a sack, a QB hurry and a tackle for loss in two games.

A two-deep depth chart was not released ahead of this weekend’s game against Oregon.

UCLA running back Jalen Berger runs for a gain after breaking a tackle attempt during the second half of their game against LSU on Saturday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

​ Orange County Register 

Cooking up some community fun in Garden Grove

• September 24, 2024

Community, classic cars and a lot of flavor.

That was the recipe for fun this weekend in Garden Grove with the annual Chili Cook-off and Car Show at Eastgate Park on Saturday.

Hosted by local realtor Kathy Ladd, the event drew residents who tasted the chili entries, enjoyed an afternoon of entertainment, checked out the classic cars on display and had fun playing games and hanging out with neighbors.

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​ Orange County Register 

Dozynki Harvest Festival traditional alive in local Polish community

• September 24, 2024

For the 45th year, the local Polish community celebrated with a Dozynki Harvest Festival in Yorba Linda.

An autumn tradition to give thanks for the labors of the community and a bountiful harvest that dates back centuries, at the Pope John Paul II Polish Center the weekend festival was a celebration of culture.

Visitors enjoyed traditional Polish food, a variety of dances and ceremonies, as well as games and activities. There was also a Guinness World Record-holding doily showcasing the talent of lace makers to check out.

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​ Orange County Register 

Jayden Daniels stars as Commanders drop Bengals to 0-3

• September 24, 2024

By MITCH STACY AP Sports Writer

CINCINNATI — Rookie Jayden Daniels threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score in a remarkably efficient performance, and the Washington Commanders stunned Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, 38-33, on Monday night.

Daniels, who starred at Cajon High and LSU, finished 21 of 23 for 254 yards, with the No. 2 overall draft pick setting an NFL rookie record for completion percentage at 91.3%. The Commanders (2-1) scored on every possession except for kneel-downs at the end of each half and have not punted or turned the ball over in their last two games.

Neither Washington nor Cincinnati punted or turned it over, the first time that’s happened in the Super Bowl era.

Burrow threw for 324 yards and three scores, but the Bengals (0-3) simply couldn’t keep up. Cincinnati is off to its worst start since dropping its first 11 games on the way to a 2-14 finish in 2019.

Daniels’ first career touchdown pass was a 1-yard toss to eligible tackle Trent Scott to start the second half, the second straight game in which the Bengals gave up a touchdown to a lineman. And Daniels stayed in the pocket, took a hit and connected with Terry McLaurin from 27 yards out with 2:10 remaining for the game-sealing score.

In the first half, Washington got rushing touchdowns from Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler and Daniels.

McLaurin had four receptions for 100 yards.

The Bengals couldn’t reach the end zone on three first-half drives, with Evan McPherson kicking two field goals and missing another.

Meanwhile, Washington didn’t have a drive that fell short of the end zone until early in the fourth quarter, when Austin Siebert kicked a 42-yard field goal to make it 31-20.

Cincinnati cut the deficit to 31-26 on Burrow’s second touchdown pass to Ja’Marr Chase, but the 2-point conversion failed.

Daniels then led a drive that ate up 7½ minutes and ended with the touchdown pass to McLaurin.

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Cincinnati scored on a 1-yard run by Zack Moss to cut the deficit to 38-33 with 40 seconds left, but McPherson’s onside kick was unsuccessful.

Chase had six receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns for the Bengals, who also got a touchdown catch by Andrei Iosivas.

INJURIES

Commanders running back Ekeler left in the second half with a concussion.

Bengals offensive tackle Trent Brown was carted off the field with a right knee injury in the first half and didn’t return.

UP NEXT

The Commanders play at Arizona on Sunday.

The Bengals play at Carolina on Sunday.

More to come on this story.

Jayden Daniels had a historic MNF debut: 293 total yards, 91.3 comp%, 3 total TDs @JayD__5 | @Commanders pic.twitter.com/TMUHGzUjsw

— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2024

​ Orange County Register 

Josh Allen throws 4 TD passes as Bills crush Jaguars

• September 24, 2024

By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Josh Allen threw four touchdown passes in the first half and the Buffalo Bills scored on each of their first five drives in a 47-10 victory over a misfiring Trevor Lawrence and the unraveling Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night.

Allen went 22 of 28 for 247 yards in the first 30 minutes alone, with completions to nine receivers. He only attempted two passes after halftime, finishing 23 of 30 for 263 yards before Mitchell Trubisky replaced him.

And he spread the wealth, completing touchdown passes to Dalton Kincaid, Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir and Ty Johnson. James Cook opened the scoring with a 6-yard run.

Buffalo’s defense, meanwhile, limited the Jaguars to 70 yards, five first downs and a field goal in five first-half possessions. The game was essentially over when Allen completed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Johnson 19 seconds before halftime.

Safety Damar Hamlin contributed to the rout with his first career interception. He easily picked off Lawrence’s overthrown pass intended for rookie Brian Thomas Jr. Five plays later, Allen completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to Shakir, who caught the ball at the 22 and broke two tackles running up the right sideline for the score.

The four-time defending AFC East champions are off to their first 3-0 start since 2020 and third since Coach Sean McDermott took over in 2017. They have topped 30 points in each game.

The Jaguars are in free fall. They last opened 0-3 in 2021 under Coach Urban Meyer, who was fired before the end of that season.

Jacksonville’s latest defeat comes a week after Lawrence expressed his frustrations by saying “We suck right now” following an 18-13 loss to Cleveland. The Jaguars squandered leads of 14-0 and 17-7 in a season-opening loss at Miami.

Lawrence finished 21 of 38 for 178 yards with a touchdown and interception. He’s now lost eight straight starts dating to last season, and hasn’t won since he had 364 yards passing in a 24-21 victory at Houston on Nov. 26.

After opening the second half with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Brenton Strange, Lawrence’s final two drives ended on downs.

He was yanked with 7:45 left and watched with from the sideline with his hands on his collar as backup Mac Jones was sacked and lost a fumble three snaps into his first possession. That led to Ray Davis scoring on a 3-yard run.

More concerning is a Jacksonville defense that couldn’t find a way to stop Allen. The Bills gained 288 yards, posted 19 first downs and converted six of their eight third-down chances and both fourth-down opportunities in the first half alone.

Positioning was an issue, with Cook beating the entire Jaguars defense to the left pylon for his touchdown. The Jaguars were unable to generate pressure, with Allen buying time as he waited for Kincaid to come across the length of the field and catch a 6-yard pass just inside the end line to make it 13-0. Coleman beat defensive back Montaric Brown by two steps and scored on a 24-yard catch.

The Bills’ run of touchdown drives ended with their first possession of the second half, when they settled for Tyler Bass hitting a 27-yard field goal.

Buffalo’s 31-point lead at the half matched the third-largest in team history, and largest since leading Atlanta, 38-7, on Nov. 22, 1992. Allen threw at least four touchdown passes for the 11th time in his career.

INJURIES

Jacksonville: Cornerback Jarrian Jones did not return after hurting his left shoulder on Buffalo’s opening drive. … Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun was ruled out with a foot injury. … Right tackle Anton Harrison was ruled out with a knee injury.

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Bills: Defensive back Cam Lewis returned after being evaluated for a head injury.

WELCOME BACK

Jaguars receivers coach Chad Hall surprised his former colleague Kelly Skipper by jumping on the Bills running back coach’s back before pregame warmups.

Hall held the same role in Buffalo before leaving the Bills for Jacksonville following the 2022 season. Hall also spent time catching up with several other members of Buffalo’s staff, including offensive line coach Aaron Kromer.

BUFFALO REPRESENTS

Defensive backs Lewis and Ja’Amarcus Ingram and linebacker Joe Andreessen, making his NFL debut, all suited up for the Bills, marking the first time three University at Buffalo alums were active for an NFL game for one team.

UP NEXT

The Jaguars play at Houston on Sunday.

The Bills make their third straight prime-time appearance and open a stretch of three straight road games against Baltimore on Sunday night.

More to come on this story.

​ Orange County Register 

Man suspected in fatal Anaheim hit-and-run involving transient woman arrested

• September 24, 2024

A 24-year-old man suspected of fatally striking a 47-year-old transient woman in Anaheim in a hit-and-run crash last week has been arrested, police said Monday.

According to witness reports, on the early morning of Sep. 15 a dark-colored SUV headed westbound on Katella Avenue fled the scene after the driver struck a female pedestrian who was in the traffic lanes. The woman, Sabrina Ruiz Adame, suffered a traumatic injury and later died at the hospital, police said in a statement.

On Sept. 18, police arrested Edgar Arce from Anaheim on suspicion of a felony hit-and-run. The SUV used in the incident was also recovered, officials said.

Police urge anyone with information about this incident to contact the Anaheim Police Department at 714-765-1900 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.

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​ Orange County Register 

Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. suspended 1 game by NFL for illegal tackles

• September 24, 2024

Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. received a one-game suspension without pay from the NFL for his illegal tackle on Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth in what the league described as the latest in “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players.”

James, who can appeal the suspension, must sit out the Chargers’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday if it is upheld.

He was penalized for unnecessary roughness on the play, a 15-yard infraction that aided what proved to be the Steelers’ go-ahead points in their 20-10 victory over the Chargers on Sunday in Pittsburgh, a tie-breaking field goal. On replays, it was clear he lowered his head and struck Freiermuth with his helmet.der

James has been assessed five unnecessary roughing penalties in his past 18 games, according to statistics compiled by The Associated Press. Each of the five involved a blow to the head of an opponent with his helmet. Jon Runyan, the NFL’s vice president of operations, cited his past transgressions in a letter to James.

“Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules will not be tolerated,” Runyan wrote to James. “Substantial penalties are warranted when players violate the rules intended to protect player safety on a repeated basis, particularly when the violations carry with them a significant risk of injury to an opposing player.”

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James was reluctant to talk about his penalty after Sunday’s game.

“I’ll look at the film and see if they send me a fine,” he said, referring to the possibility of a fine from the league. “I don’t want to keep their (the Steelers’) drive going. I’m trying to get the guy (Freiermuth) on the ground. I don’t feel like I hit him in the head or the neck, but we’ll look at it.”

James wasn’t available for further comment Monday.

​ Orange County Register 

Canyon boys basketball player Brandon Benjamin commits to University of San Diego

• September 24, 2024

Canyon boys basketball senior Brandon Benjamin committed to the University of San Diego, Benjamin confirmed Monday.

Benjamin, a 6-5 forward, was the 2022-23 Orange County player of the year as a sophomore at Canyon. He transferred to Mater Dei for his junior season and since has returned to Canyon.

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​ Orange County Register