Bruins’ improving pass defense will be tested by Washington State’s aerial circus

The heat is on, or so UCLA’s defense hopes.

The Bruins gave opponents a free pass — a lot of them, actually — through the first six games. But they have made life a little more uneasy for quarterbacks in winning the last three games.

The pressure comes at the right time.

Washington State comes to town Saturday night. The Cougars bring with them a well-choreographed aerial offense that is part ballet, part street football — you go down to the Chevy and I’ll fake it to you.

The conductor is Luke Falk, who leads the nation in yards passing with 3,736 and is tied for second in touchdown passes with 33.

“You don’t want him to sit back there and throw, but no one has stopped him on a consistent basis,” UCLA Coach Jim Mora said. “Like every quarterback, you have to do your best to put pressure on him and make him feel uncomfortable.”

UCLA has been a little better at that in recent games.

The Bruins had nine sacks in the first six games. They have eight in the last three after getting to Oregon State quarterback Nick Mitchell three times in a 41-0 victory Saturday.

“We just have to win our one-on-one battles, it’s that simple,” said defensive end Takkarist McKinley, who had two of the sacks. “We practice our technique and get out there and win.”

UCLA defensive line coach Angus McClure has had his group spend extra post-practice time working on hand-to-hand combat techniques with Paul McCarthy, a martial arts instructor.

“I think we’re just getting better at what we’re doing, becoming more efficient and more consistent,” Mora said.

Oregon State might not have been the best litmus test. The Beavers are winless in Pac-12 play and were playing without Seth Collins, their starting quarterback who was out with a knee injury.

But UCLA did get to California quarterback Jared Goff four times on Oct. 22.

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UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen throws a pass during the second half of a 41-0 victory over Oregon State in Corvallis, Ore. on Nov. 7.

  (Timothy J. Gonzalez / Associated Press)

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UCLA running back Soso Jamabo splits a pair of Oregon State defenders on his way to a 30-yard touchdown run during the third quarter of a game on Nov. 7.

  (Timothy J. Gonzalez / Associated Press)

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Oregon State quarterback Nick Mitchell fumbles the ball while being tackled by a pair of UCLA defenders during the first half of a game on Nov. 7.

  (Timothy J. Gonzalez / Associated Press)

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UCLA’s Paul Perkins tries to get around Oregon State linebacker Ricky Ortiz (92) during the second half of a game on Nov. 7.

  (Timothy J. Gonzalez / Associated Press)

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UCLA’s Kenneth Walker is tackled by Oregon State’s Kendall Hill, right, after making a catch during the first half of a game on Nov. 7.

  (Timothy J. Gonzalez / AP)

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Oregon State quarterback Nick Mitchell throws a pass during the second half of a game against UCLA on Nov. 7. UCLA beat Oregon State, 41-0.

  (Timothy J. Gonzalez / AP)

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UCLA’s Jordan Payton can’t reach the ball while being guarded by Oregon State’s Dwayne Williams in the first half of a game on Nov. 7.

  (Timothy J. Gonzalez / Associated Press)

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UCLA receiver Thomas Duarte celebrates with teammate Paul Perkins after scoring a touchdown during the first half of a game against Oregon State on Nov. 7.

  (Timothy J. Gonzalez / AP)

Washington State has allowed 29 sacks this season, which ranks 119th out of 127 Football Bowl Subdivision teams. Of course, that is an occupational hazard when you throw the ball that much.

“There are a million variables involved,” Mora said. “You have to have tight coverage to make the quarterback hold it longer. You have to have even pressure that doesn’t allow the quarterback to step up or escape. The longer you make him hold it and the more confined you make the area to escape from, the better chance you have of getting him down.”

The Bruins’ pressure and coverage led to three interceptions against Oregon State, their most since intercepting six passes against Utah in 2013.

Zero down

There were two schools of thought regarding UCLA’s first shutout since 2007.

Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley thought it was nice.

“I’m sure the players are happy that they got shutout,” Bradley said. “The bottom line is, did you win the game? I’ve always said stats are for losers, just get the win.”

Safety Jaleel Wadood thought it was great.

“It’s just like a pat on the back for the hard work you put in,” Wadood said. “It let us know that we did our jobs to the maximum potential. Guess that’s our reward.”

UCLA reserves were put in charge of keeping the Beavers scoreless.

“We had young guys coming in at the end of the game, we told them ‘don’t slack off,’” Wadood said.

Rosen review

It seemed like just another day at the office for freshman quarterback Josh Rosen. He completed 22 of 33 passes for 333 yards with two touchdowns.

“He knows what he wants to do now,” receiver Jordan Payton said. “I’m not saying he didn’t from the start [of the season], but he was a freshman. Now he has full control. He has seen a lot of looks, a lot of pressures, a lot of different schemes. Now he has the reins. It’s an honor to play with a kid that learns that fast.”

chris.foster@latimes.com

Twitter: @cfosterlatimes