Hoping to head off UCLA, Washington State quarterbacks at the pass
Washington State quarterback Luke Falk delivers a pass as he’s hit Arizona State linebacker Ismael Murphy-Richardson during their game Saturday.
A good passing team can create nightmares for defensive backs, but they can inspire dreams for linemen and linebackers, who enjoy nothing more than putting a bullseye on a quarterback.
It’s happening this week as UCLA and Washington State prepare to play a Pac-12 Conference game Saturday night at the Rose Bowl.
Washington State players say they are ready for Josh Rosen, UCLA’s freshman quarterback. UCLA players are equally eager to get a shot at Luke Falk, the sophomore who directs the Washington State offense.
“He’s a special player,” UCLA nose tackle Kenny Clark said of Falk. “He can throw the ball from anywhere. We have to create havoc in there and get after him.”
Falk leads the nation with 3,376 yards passing and is tied for second with 33 touchdown passes. UCLA has 18 sacks, eight in the last three games.
The Bruins handled California, the last pass-happy team they faced. UCLA sacked Cal quarterback Jared Goff four times.
“They run some of the same protections as Cal,” Clark said.
Rosen has passed for 2,562 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Cougars’ linebacker Kache Palacio, who has 18.5 career sacks, was asked whether he was looking forward to facing Rosen.
“Yes sir,” Palacio said. “Hopefully he holds the ball a little longer than usual. Young guys usually hold the ball longer because they don’t want to make mistakes. But he looked pretty good in backfield throwing. I’m pretty excited to go after him.”
Free kicks
Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn is one point shy of the Pac-12 record of 390 points held by former UCLA kicker John Lee (1982-85).
The two have something else in common: a Neuheisel as holder.
Former UCLA quarterback and coach Rick Neuheisel was Lee’s holder. Rick’s son, Jerry, holds for Fairbairn.
“Put the Neuheisels in the Pac-12 record book too,” Jerry Neuheisel joked.
Fairbairn sounds as if he wouldn’t mind.
“It means a lot to the Neuheisel family,” Fairbairn said, “especially since Coach Neuheisel recruited me first. It’s not a coincidence. They’re special people.”
Injury report
UCLA receiver Devin Fuller (ankle) and linebackers Isaako Savaiinaea (ankle) and Josh Woods (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday and are questionable for the Washington State game.
Twitter: @cfosterlatimes
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