Consistent Ball Sees Dividends

Bruin defensive end Dave Ball has sacks in six consecutive games and ranks second in the Pacific 10 Conference with seven. It’s a marked improvement for the junior, who had only one sack last season.

“I decided I needed to become more consistent, so that’s what I’ve strived for,” he said. “I’m using my moves more effectively.”

Ball’s sack last season came against Washington. He’s looking to have another big game against the Huskies, who average 46 passes a game and have thrown the ball as many as 65 times this season.

Last week against Arizona State, Washington quarterback Cody Pickett was sacked eight times. Sun Devil defensive end Terrell Suggs had 4 1/2 sacks.

“We know they are going to throw and that makes it easier to get in there and pass rush,” he said.

*

Kirby Joseph, a freshman who is redshirting, probably will shift from linebacker to defensive end in the spring in an effort to bring more speed to the position.

Ball and his twin, Mat, will return along with Asi Faoa and David Tautofi at end, but all four will be seniors.

*

Speculation that Bruin defensive tackle Matt Kocher left the team last week because he was unhappy with playing time is untrue, his father said. Kocher was a walk-on whose brother, Ken, was a standout lineman last season.

“Matt is called to the ministry, he’s had a real deal for worship since he was little and he’s preached in front of hundreds of people,” Randy Kocher said.

“He was a little frustrated because he thought he earned a shot at being the backup. But the main reason he left was that he sees a need in his life to focus more on the ministry.”

Kocher, a third-year sophomore, had a sack against San Diego State but did not play again. He is still enrolled at UCLA and plans to earn his degree.

He and Ken -- who was cut by the Green Bay Packers -- attended the UCLA game against Stanford on Saturday and the family continues to support the program.

“Coach Toledo has been a good guy to us, he’s been straightforward, he’s a class act and we are advocates of his,” Randy said.

“We want to express complete support for the program and Coach Toledo.”

*

Safety Jibril Raymo (shoulder), receiver Ryan Smith (ankle) and linebacker Tim Warfield (concussion) will not travel to Washington. The loss of Raymo leaves only three safeties -- starters Ben Emanuel and Jarrad Page and reserve Kevin Brant.... New sod will be laid over the weekend at Spaulding Field.... The UCLA-Arizona game in Tucson on Nov. 9 will begin at 6 p.m. PST and be televised on Fox Sports Net 2.