A Method to His Madness

Sunday is trick-play day at UCLA, the Bruins practicing only once in virtual seclusion as they work on their reverses, flanker passes and other gadget plays that so delight Coach Bob Toledo.

UCLA used at least one trick play in every game last season, the idea being whether or not they work, the opposition has to spend part of its NCAA-mandated 20-hour practice week working against the trickery.

Besides, Toledo said, they’re fun.

“That’s one of the good things about being the head coach,” he said. “In the past, if I wanted to run one, I had to suggest it. Now if I want to run a reverse, we’ll run it.”

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Add to the names of probable redshirts that of freshman receiver Brian Poli-Dixon, though UCLA’s policy is to not announce redshirts until after the season.