L.A. Times - College Football

Eagles' drafting of USC's Matt Barkley? Lane Kiffin saw it coming

By Gary Klein — Tue, 7 May 2013 05:10:00 PDT

Trojans Coach Lane Kiffin says Philadelphia Coach Chip Kelly spoke with him about Barkley 'early on' and sent an assistant to work out the QB before NFL draft.

Matt Barkley gets his first real taste of the NFL when the Philadelphia Eagles' rookie mini-camp opens Friday.

UCLA football team has 1,700 yards to make up

By Chris Foster — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 22:00:00 PDT

With career rushing leader Johnathan Franklin off to the NFL, the Bruins need to find a running game to take pressure off quarterback Brett Hundley

UCLA needs 1,700 from a running back.

Eagles end USC QB Matt Barkley's wait in fourth round of NFL draft

By Gary Klein and Sam Farmer — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 19:44:00 PDT

Matt Barkley, once considered a potential top-10 pick, goes to Philadelphia on first pick of fourth round, 98th overall. 'All I need is an opportunity,' he says.

NEW YORK — Matt Barkley marveled, often helplessly, as Oregon's offense went up and down the field against USC and most other opponents the last four seasons.

Power conferences in college football gain even more strength

Chris Dufresne — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:45:00 PDT

The gap between the major and mid-major conferences is wider than ever after the creation of the 'College Football Playoff.' And Jerry Jones may be the biggest power broker of all in the sport.

College football commissioners were going to end their three-day unity conference in Pasadena with a round of "Kumbaya" at the hotel's valet carport. That was before the consulting firm that dreamed up "College Football Playoff" suggested something more generic from "The White Album."

O-linemen are A-listers in 2013 NFL draft

Sam Farmer — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 22:40:00 PDT

Offensive tackles are three of the first four selections, including Nos. 1 and 2. Three guards and a center also go in top 20.

Athletic department springs for UCLA students' bus ride to game

By Chris Foster — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 21:45:00 PDT

After Coach Jim Mora offers to cover UCLA students' $7 bus fare to Saturday's spring football game at the Rose Bowl, the school decides to pick up the tab.

UCLA's spring game Saturday was going to cost UCLA students $7 for the bus ride to the Rose Bowl.

Cowboys Stadium to play host to first championship game in new format

Chris Dufresne — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 PDT

The first title game in the College Football Playoff will be held on Jan. 12, 2015. The Rose Bowl will get four semifinal games in a 12-year cycle, but is unlikely to get a championship game.

Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will play host to the first championship game in the new College Football Playoff.

UCLA football program gets a new 'assistant'

By Chris Foster — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:26:00 PDT

Practice management system, called CoachComm Tempo, can run the clock and scoreboard, simulate crowd noise and can be used to amplify the instructions of coaches.

UCLA football is embracing a high-tech future.

Johnathan Franklin, once seventh at UCLA, knocks on NFL heaven's door

By Sam Farmer — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:15:00 PDT

Running back Johnathan Franklin, No. 7 on depth chart as a UCLA freshman, will fulfill a lifelong dream when he's drafted by the NFL. He could go in second round.

NEW YORK — It could average 400 pounds from tackle to tackle, and still the offensive line Johnathan Franklin runs behind in the NFL won't be as daunting as the line he had at UCLA.

New college football playoff system gets a less-than-original name

Chris Dufresne — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:05:00 PDT

Conference commissioners meeting in Pasadena announce name of what will replace the BCS: College Football Playoff.

The name for college football's new playoff system is … "College Football Playoff."