Lockett, Toran find it tough to fully focus on A&M
LOS ANGELES — UCLA has two players from the Houston area whose families have been affected by the floods.
Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley didn’t share details of the conversations he has had with Will Lockett but said the disaster in Houston has made it difficult for the sophomore defensive back from Manvel to concentrate on Sunday’s game at the Rose Bowl against Texas A&M.
“He’s trying to deal with it,” Bradley said. “He’s taking care of things back there as best as he can.”
Najee Toran, a senior offensive lineman from North Shore, said much of his family is homebound because of the floods but remain safe.
“Mom’s good, Dad’s good, my brothers and sisters are good,” he said. “It’s just some of them can’t go anywhere. They tell me they’ve got everything they need. I can’t really stop thinking about them and my friends, but I also know they’re thinking about me and the job I’ve got to do this week.”
Mora empathizes with Ags’ plight
UCLA coach Jim Mora hopes the situation in the Houston region has improved enough by Sunday that all players can focus on the game. That includes the Aggies.
“By the time they get out here on Sunday to play, hopefully things are a little back in order there, that … people are more comfortable and safe and secure, and their players can really play their best and play uninhibited,” he said. “They deserve that after all the work that they’ve done, just like our guys do.”
Texas heat in Rose Bowl
Some Bruins are wondering if Texas A&M will have somewhat of a home-field advantage at the Rose Bowl because of the abnormally high temperatures this week in Southern California. The temperature was in triple digits when they worked out in Westwood on Wednesday and highs are forecast to remain in that range through Saturday.
One of the more amusing questions from media was whether the players’ feet were burning.
Najee Toran said his weren’t but acknowledged one of the reasons he wanted to play in Southern California was because of cooler temperatures.
Quarterback Josh Rosen said he and his teammates can’t let it become a distraction.
“We just have to buckle down,” he said. “It’s football.”
The temperature for the 4:30 p.m. PDT kickoff is expected to be a slightly cooler 97.