Arizona’s ball-control passing game is hard to contain

There is simplicity in what UCLA faces Thursday.

Arizona will throw, with quarterback Nick Foles moving the ball around like he’s playing hacky sack. He is second nationally in yards passing, averaging 375.83 per game.

Foles is the poster boy for a college football trend.

“The reason for the proliferation of pass numbers going on around the country is everyone is playing catch,” UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel said.

“There are lots of swing passes and screens that have made the numbers climb monstrously high. It is certainly a way to play, especially when you have a player as talented as Nick.”

The Bruins have struggled against that possession-game passing philosophy. The only quarterback ahead of Foles in yards per game is Houston’s Case Keenum, who carved up UCLA for 310 yards in the season opener. Keenum completed 30 of 40 passes.

Washington State’s Marshall Lobbestael completed 28 of 40 passes for 235 yards using a similar passing game in the Bruins’ last game.

Foles, though, is in a different category.

“He’s an NFL player,” Neuheisel said. “You have to understand he’s going to hit some. You just have to be very, very good at not giving up the big play.”

Foles has completed 71.5% of his passes this season.

“They run underneath routes and crosses to set them up in third and short,” UCLA cornerback Aaron Hester said. “That is why they are so successful on third down. We have to contest the routes and win two out of three downs.”

UCLA’s defense is ranked 118th nationally in third-down conversion percentage.

“We’ve got to get them in third and six or more,” defensive coordinator Joe Tresey said. “Foles is very efficient in getting rid of the ball and getting three, four yards.”

Price back; Dye isn’t

Cornerback Sheldon Price returned to practice Sunday, wearing a large brace on his injured right knee. Price missed the last two games after suffering a sprained knee against Oregon State.

“I have played with the brace before, it’s not going to bother me,” Price said. “I was just happy to be back out there. I had enough of watching. For the first day back, I had pretty good wind.”

Safety Tony Dye attempted to practice Sunday, but was held out after doing some individual work. Dye has missed three games because of severe neck pain caused by an inflamed nerve.

Dye, a senior, has a redshirt year left and is eligible to use it provided he does not play again this season. Dye could decide later this week, once he determines whether he can play against Arizona.

“It’s a cumbersome issue because he’s desperate to play,” Neuheisel said. “If he plays in any game in this part of the season we don’t get him [for next season]. It’s more the family’s decision than mine. I just want what’s best for him.”

Quick hits

Guard Albert Cid (illness) and wide receiver Nelson Rosario (foot injury) returned to practice. . . . Wide receiver Shaquelle Evans (concussion) practiced, but was in a red no-contact jersey.

chris.foster@latimes.com

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