Jim Mora says UCLA is preparing for scheme, not individual player

In Tucson on Monday, Arizona quarterback Matt Scott declared himself fit and said he would be ready to play when the Wildcats come to Pasadena to face UCLA on Saturday.

In Westwood, UCLA Coach Jim Mora said Scott’s status didn’t matter one way or the other.

Scott left a 39-36 victory over USC late in Saturday’s game after taking a couple shots to the head, leading to reports that he suffered a concussion. But he told reporters in Tucson on Monday, “I don’t really think I had a concussion.”

Arizona Coach Rich Rodriguez tersely ended discussion about Scott’s condition after four questions, saying he would not discuss “medical terms.”

The comments by Scott and Rodriguez were omitted from the transcript posted on the Arizona football website.

Meanwhile, Mora hyped the Wildcats’ offense, saying, “It’s fast and furious and they score a lot of points.” But Mora sidestepped questions about how fast and how furious the Wildcats might be if Scott did not play.

“He’s a great player and he’s having a tremendous year, but we prepare for the scheme,” Mora said. “That won’t change.”

Scott, who played at Corona Centennial High, ranks fourth nationally in passing yards, averaging 340.5 yards per game. He also has 361 yards rushing, 100 of which came against USC.

UCLA upperclassmen are well-versed in his abilities. Scott, playing for an injured Nick Foles, threw for 319 yards and ran for 71 in a 29-21 victory over UCLA at the Rose Bowl in 2010.

Scott’s back up, B.J Denker, has not thrown a pass since Sept. 22 against Oregon. He is 11 of 18 for 111 yards and one touchdown this season.

Denker, who played at North Torrance High and Cerritos College, is smaller than Scott and not as fast.

Mora stuck to the generic approach, saying, “We’re always aware of the great players, but, as a defense, what we do is learn to defend the scheme.”

He did say the Bruins’ staff was scrounging for tape of Denker.

“We’re working on finding out as much as we can,” Mora said.

Conference call

The Pac-12 Conference has addressed the coin toss confusion that took place before UCLA’s game against Arizona State.

A conference official met with UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero at halftime and explained the referees acted properly, Pac-12 spokesman Dave Hirsch said. The official also met with Mora after the game.

UCLA won the toss and planned to defer to the second half. Jeff Locke, a team captain, said he told the referee, “We want to kick off,” and when asked whether that meant defer, Locke said, “Yes.” But Mora said the game officials interpreted that to mean UCLA chose to kick off, allowing Arizona State the choice of also receiving the ball to start the second half.

After the season, the conference will look into changing the pregame protocol, with referees talking with head coaches about the options before the game, Hirsch said.

Numbers game

UCLA has lost five consecutive games to Arizona. The Bruins’ last victory was 27-7 at the Rose Bowl in 2006.

Arizona ranks fourth nationally in total offense, averaging 553.6 yards per game, and 110th in total defense, giving up 483.9 yards per game.

“Yards don’t matter; points matter,” Mora said. “I think it’s ridiculous that people even rate defenses on number of yards allowed. Yards come many different ways. You might have a huge lead and change your style of defense. People get empty yards. What matters is points.”

Arizona averages 39.1 points per game.

chris.foster@latimes.com

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