UCLA Football: Jim Mora Hopeful Eddie Vanderdoes Will Play Against BYU

UCLA Football Head Coach Jim Mora talked about the possibility of DT Eddie Vanderdoes’ returning after suffering a knee injury agaisnt UNLV.

If you saw UCLA Football‘s performance agaisnt UNLV last Saturday, then you know that the Bruins struggled a bit despite a 42-21 final score.

UCLA started the game hot, but cooled down in the second and third quarters, allowing the Rebels to catch up to the Bruins by the start of the fourth quarter with a score of 28-21.

Part of that had to do with some defensive woes, which allowed UNLV to run over the Bruins after halftime. One of the reasons for this was because DT Eddie Vanderdoes strained his knee in the first half.

Fear set in with Bruin fans as Vanderdoes emerged from the tunnel after halftime in street clothes and his knee wrapped in ice. Last season, EV injured his knee (though not the same knee) in the first game of the season and was out for the year, so concern for his health was high.

Vanderdoes had quelled concerns when he tweeted out that his knee suffered no more than a strain.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: my knee is completely fine. Nothing more then a minor strain. #GoBruins

— EV4™ (@E_VanderdoesIV) September 11, 2016

With that, Mora also said that the injury does not seem to be significant and is hopeful the big defensive tackle would be back by the time the Bruins take the field in Provo, Utah against the BYU Cougars this weekend.

One thing that was of interest was Mora’s statement that tests did reveal something, but added that it would not keep Vanderdoes out for an extended period of time.

That is a good news and the UCLA defense needs some good news right now. The Bruins gave up an average of 5.6 yards per run against UNLV and it does not get easier. BYU has dedicated their offense under new Offensive Coordinator Ty Detmer to the run and are averaging 4.8 yards per carry this season.

UCLA should be able to handle the passing game of BYU, but with the Cougar’s aggressive run game and the talents of dual-threat QB Taysom Hill and the talents of RB Jamaal Williams, the Bruins could be in for a long day.

Watch: Coach Mora talks BYU prep, Soso Jamabo and the running back group, injuries and more. #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/U2QrT3hRZN

— UCLA Football (@UCLAFootball) September 12, 2016

Injury Report

S Jaleel Wadood is out with “bumps and bruises”. Could return if he feels better this week.

DT Takkarist McKinley is recovering from a groin injury. Mora hopes he can also return against BYU.

DE Deon Hollins is still recovering from concussion-like symptoms, but could be available this weekend.