The swarm of applicants responding to the help-wanted sign included some with negligible experience.
UCLA’s defense put them on the job anyway. A wave of injuries left the Bruins with no choice.
Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Marcus Moore had made one tackle in spot duty this season. True freshman defensive lineman Greg Rogers had only watched from the sideline, putting him on track to redshirt.
The trajectory of their seasons changed significantly Saturday when UCLA defensive linemen Jacob Tuioti-Mariner and Matt Dickerson sustained serious injuries against Oregon, joining the already hurt Rick Wade on a growing list of unavailable players.