Never mind that UCLA won — defensive lapses irritate Bruins’ Kenny Young
Wildcats receiver Nate Phillips hauls in a touchdown pass against Bruins defensive back Ishmael Adams in the first quarter Saturday.
Linebacker Kenny Young had a one-word description for UCLA’s 56-30 win over Arizona: unacceptable.
That’s because the Bruins defense gave up 468 yards, including 353 yards rushing.
“That’s too many yards,” Young said after the game. “We missed 21 tackles. I was like, ‘Come on, man, we’re supposed to be one of the top defenses and we missed 21 tackles?’ I missed too many tackles.”
It was apparent Monday that two days had done nothing to dilute Young’s feelings.
“I feel horrible about that win,” Young said. “What we did Saturday did not satisfy us.”
Arizona was routed, but the Wildcats also ran through, over and around the Bruins.
Quarterback Jerrard Randall came in when Arizona starter Anu Solomon was injured and was a blur from the start, bolting 39 yards for a touchdown on his first play. He finished with 128 yards rushing, averaging eight yards per carry.
“There wasn’t anything they did that confused us,” Young said. “We could have done things to contain him more.”
The game was the Bruins’ first without linebacker Myles Jack, their best defensive player. But Young wasn’t accepting that crutch. Asked how Jack could have affected the game, Young said, “I don’t know because he wasn’t there. No one knows because he didn’t play.”
He added: “You’re supposed to stop teams. You’re supposed to keep them from scoring touchdowns. We have to look at the mistakes and fix them, because if they keep happening we’re going to lose close games. Those little mistakes can linger and cost you the game.”
Friends and family
There will be more than a little familiarity when UCLA meets Arizona State on Saturday at the Rose Bowl.
Sun Devils receiver Devin Lucien spent four years at UCLA before transferring as a graduate student last summer.
“Devin is a good friend of mine,” UCLA receiver Jordan Payton said. “Unfortunately, he went to play at another Pac-12 South school. I’ll be excited to see him. I hope he plays well. But this is football. I’m not there for the friendship. I’m there for the win.”
Lucien’s status for the game is uncertain. He had 13 receptions for 147 yards before suffering an injury to his hamstring in Arizona State’s third game. He played little against USC on Saturday.
Payton and Lucien have kept in touch.
“I’ve known him for a long time, since middle school,” Payton said. “You always wish the best for friends, except when you’re playing them.”
UCLA running back Paul Perkins has an even tighter relationship with a Sun Devils player. His brother, Bryce, is a freshman who is one of Arizona State’s reserve quarterbacks.
“I’m not going to talk any trash to my brother, not yet,” Paul Perkins joked. “On the field I will.”
Bryce Perkins is not expected to play.
“Hopefully, I’ll run out of bounds on their side and get to see him,” Paul said.
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