Aliotti: There’s Simply No Defense for This

Defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti apologized Saturday. To everyone.

The UCLA seniors. All the Bruin players. The rest of the coaching staff. And he didn’t stop there.

To the alumni too. The teachers on campus. Even the chancellor, Albert Carnesale.

“For letting this slip away,” Aliotti said.

For presiding over this defense.

In the loss to Miami that knocked them out of contention for the national championship, the Bruins gave up 689 yards in offense, their most ever by 89 yards, and 49 points, the most since Kansas scored 51 in the Aloha Bowl on Dec. 25, 1995. Or to put it in even better perspective:

It was a terrible showing even by their standards, when even a poor-as-usual performance would have gotten them to the Fiesta Bowl.

“It was, by far . . . the most horrendous performance by a defensive football team that I think I’ve not only been involved with, but also watched on TV,” Aliotti said. “There was so much riding on this game today, it’s hard to fathom how we could have played so poorly.”

Especially considering how they had played recently, with proud showings in the previous two games, against USC and Washington. But there were the Bruins in the Orange Bowl, with 10 players on the field on one play in the first quarter and none within 10 yards of wide receiver Aaron Moser as he lined up for what became a wide-open four-yard scoring catch. On the ground, they were trampled with regularity on sweeps by Edgerrin James.

“I was ready to go play on the D line,” offensive guard Andy Meyers said. “It was really a feeling of disgust.”

Added Coach Bob Toledo: “They knocked us off the ball and our defensive backs didn’t tackle. It’s pretty simple.”

It’s worse than that.

All-Pacific 10 Conference linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, along with safety Larry Atkins the stars of the unit, suffered a sprained knee ligament on Miami’s first play from scrimmage, tried to come back at the end of the quarter, then pulled himself out for good. Word that he has the same injury that sidelined defensive end Kenyon Coleman for 2 1/2 games earlier in the season means that Ayanbadejo’s availability for the Rose Bowl Jan. 1 against Wisconsin is in question, potentially a major blow for the Bruins.

Team physician Gerald Finerman said there is a “reasonable chance” Ayanbadejo will be able to play in a little less than four weeks.

“I’m not concerned at all,” said Ayanbadejo, who spent the second half on the sideline in shorts and a black brace running the length of the leg. “I know the way my body heals. I’ll be back in no time.”

He hopes to be speaking from more than just confidence. Ayanbadejo also sprained his left knee Oct. 10 at Arizona, only not to this degree.

Another defensive starter, nose guard Micah Webb, suffered the same injury Saturday, also to the left knee. He left the locker room on crutches, meaning his progress also will be an issue in the weeks ahead.

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Going on Record

UCLA records set in 49-45 loss to Miami:

* Yards allowed--689 (Old: Nebraska, 600, 1983)

* Rushing yards allowed, individual--Edgerrin James, 299 (Old: Jon Vaughn, Michigan, 288, 1990)

* Points in a loss, 45--(Old: 42 vs. USC, 1990)

* Total offense--Cade McNown 515 yards (Old: Tommy Maddox, 445 vs. USC, 1990)

* Passing yards--McNown 513 (Old: Maddox, 409, vs. USC, 1990)

* Touchdown passes--Five touchdown passes ties McNown’s 1997 record vs. Texas