Some familiar help arrives for UCLA’s Bob Chesney at practice

Here are five observations from practice:

Elevating their game

Chesney said he liked the way his team responded to what he called an “OK” scrimmage Saturday that was closed to the media.

“I thought today it looked a whole lot better,” he said. “I thought their intensity was where it should be, played some physical football.”

Among the most pleasing developments was the way the offensive protection held up against some exotic looks from the defense, including safeties playing up at the line of scrimmage.

“I thought we did a really good job of handling it,” Chesney said. “I thought the quarterback managed it well. There were two big plays off it and two sacks that happened off it and that’s just it is what it is when you get to one more guy than you’ve got, you know, you’ve got to have some answer to it and it’s usually not really blocking him because you don’t have enough [bodies], so our quarterback managed it well and created a little bit more time and got the ball out the way he should. “

Courtesy of UCLA Athletics Courtesy of UCLA Athletics

Scrimmage standouts

Asked about the stars of the scrimmage, Chesney named wide receiver Brian Rowe, running back Jaivian Thomas, linebacker Sammy Omosigho, edge rusher Sahir West and safety Cole Martin.

When another reporter mentioned that Rowe had also made several incredible plays in practice, Chesney raised one eyebrow as if in agreement regarding the transfer from South Carolina.

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“You just hit the nail on the head,” Chesney said. “He runs really precise routes, he’s fast, he’s explosive. You know, he really understands leverage, he understands how to get himself open and then he brings his body to the ball. He makes some really competitive catches on balls that may not be perfectly thrown. It’s just been impressive to watch him handle his business.”

Quintessential quarterbacks

Chesney brought a couple of his quarterbacks to a reunion of former UCLA quarterbacks over the weekend to give them a better sense of the fraternity they were joining.

“We’re trying to get ourselves to a place where there’s deep connections that are meaningful connections that will last longer than the one year we’re here together for some of us,” Chesney said.

“I think it’s important that you look at those guys as that sort of the bright spot of it all that here they are 30, 40 years later – you know, 50 years later, some of them – and still hanging out together, still respecting the job they did here and those are the guys, right, those are the leaders of the team more than likely and at the same point and time they’re still together, so their impact is still felt.”

UCLA QB Nico Iamaleava is in line for a big season with new head coach Bob Chesney calling the shots. (Courtesy of UCLA Athletics) Courtesy of UCLA Athletics

Roll out the red carpet

Continuing to get a sense for the perks that accompany his new job, Chesney attended the premiere of the Sadie Sandler movie “Roommates” last week alongside West, Martin and quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

“It was great,” Chesney said of the comedy involving two college freshmen. “It was a movie where a lot of the actors were younger, so I think they were like 21 or 22, so when you were out there before [the movie] … you knew a couple, but barely, and then after the movie you knew exactly who everybody was that was out there, so that’s got to be a pretty cool moment for them to go through their life trying to make it to that level and here’s their first movie and have a shot to do something they’re passionate about.”

Chesney said that’s a career trajectory that his players are trying to match.

“I said it to these guys, ‘You’ve got to love being out here,’ ” Chesney said, “ ‘and just be so passionate about what you’re doing on a day-to-day basis and just don’t waste opportunities and eventually there’s a moment where maybe that light shines on you and you’re on that stage and what will the world think at that moment when you produce or don’t’ and I think that all comes down to the work we’re willing to put in.”

This and that

Hall Schmidt, a transfer from Boise State, played right tackle as part of the first-string offensive line alongside center Riley Robell, guards Carter Sweazie and Julian Armella and left tackle J.D. Rayner. Chesney said there was no deadline for setting an offensive line depth chart. …

Iamaleava continues to forge a strong connection with Landon Ellis, hitting the wide receiver in stride on a roughly 40-yard catch-and-run touchdown. … Defensive back Osiris Gilbert made one of the top plays of practice by breaking up a pass intended for Ellis.