Keyes responds with job on line

There have been times this season when UCLA junior Dennis Keyes has played like an All-Pacific 10 Conference safety. But there also have been moments when Keyes has hurt the Bruins with a missed tackle or blown coverage.

It’s this inconsistency that has made Keyes a player on the hot seat for the Bruins’ defense all year.

“I let a couple of plays get by that I regret, but I just have to keep working and moving forward,” said Keyes, who had a strong game in UCLA’s 18-point victory over Oregon State last week.

“I feel good with how I’ve played. I feel that I’ve done a solid job most of the year and I enjoy being one of the leaders of our team.”

Against Oregon State, Keyes tied for the team lead with eight tackles, including six solos, and forced a fumble that led to a UCLA score. He’s second on the team in tackles this season with 64, including four for losses.

Defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker -- who had Keyes split time with sophomore Bret Lockett on the first team in practice -- said Keyes has responded well to the threat of losing his starting job.

“I was real happy with how he’s played,” Walker said. “He’s been under the gun. But I just tried to help him become who he wants to be.... It was definitely one of his better games in a while. It proves how hard work and staying with a guy can still work.”

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Before the start of last season, defensive tackle Kevin Brown was considered UCLA’s top defensive lineman and then he suffered a season-ending ankle injury, which forced him to redshirt.

This year, Brown has been overshadowed by the play of ends Justin Hickman and Bruce Davis and even fellow tackle Brigham Harwell, but his play has picked up in recent weeks.

“Kevin has been getting better each week,” Coach Karl Dorrell said about Brown, who has 22 tackles this season, including six for losses. “Brigham had a big game last week but Kevin did too. He’s growing and getting more comfortable playing in our defense. Kevin missed a year, wasn’t a starter early in the season, worked his way into the lineup and now he’s starting.”

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UCLA’s red-zone offense has ranked among the top teams in the Pac-10 all year but that does not mean the Bruins have been efficient when they’ve reached opponents’ 20-yard line.

UCLA’s 15 touchdowns in 36 red-zone opportunities ranks among the worst ratio in the league. It’s made senior Justin Medlock the national leader in field goals a game at 2.3.

Medlock has made four field goals in a game three times this season and is second on UCLA’s all-time scoring list with 335 points. John Lee has the record at 390.

lonnie.white@latimes.com