Austin Kent smiled a few times when he met with reporters, fulfilling his pledge to loosen up. Meanwhile, J.J. Molson spoke mostly in a solemn monotone.
UCLA’s sophomore specialists seem to be reversing the approaches they used during a freshman season they gladly left behind. Both arrived last year as highly touted recruits only to lose their starting jobs amid sustained inconsistency.
Molson made 12 of 20 field-goal attempts, including only two of seven from 40 to 49 yards. Kent averaged 38.3 yards per punt, tied for second worst among Pac-12 Conference players who punted at least 2 1/2 times per game.