Neuheisel hoping to improve

UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel met with the media and had plenty to say about the current state of the team.

"Optimism is still full," he said. "It's a full trough here at UCLA. I know we're disappointed we're in this skid, but there certain things to be gleaned from the tapes that give you hope, not only for this week but for the coming future.

Neuheisel believes that there is still plenty of reason to be confident about the future.

"I just believe if we continue to make great effort to emphasize the little things in our play and in our program that great things are on the horizon," he said.

"I understand the frustration of those who follow our program. Don't think that it's lost on me that there is an urgency to be better. But now is not the time to lose focus or lose sight that we're on the right track. I truly believe that we are. We stay the course and keep grinding away."

As highly regarded as offensive coordinator Norm Chow is, the UCLA offense continues to struggle.

"Our issue is experience, and getting it so that everybody is on the same page," Neuheisel said. "When we have it, the good news is when we have it, we're going to have it for a long time. These guys are still very early."

There is a possibility that UCLA gets a bit creative this week in order to be successful in the redzone.

"You do two things: No. 1 you look and see what you're capable of doing," Neuheisel said. "But you have to see it demonstrated. We have memories of great red zone offenses. But then you have to ask your individuals who play those position, can they execute them?"

In order to do that, the receivers have to step up a bit.

"Ultimately, it's got to be something that just gets done," Neuheisel said. "We practice catching the ball all the time. There aren't an inordinate amount of drops in practice. Catch the ball and tuck it away rather than leave it out there."