The word is out there: UCLA’s defense looks much improved from 2014
UCLA defensive lineman Kenny Clark (97) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown on a pass play against Virginia in the second half on Sept. 5.
There is an escalating theme among UCLA players as to how the Bruins’ defense should be perceived.
“Experienced and confident,” nose tackle Kenny Clark said.
“Physical and smart. Mean,” safety Jaleel Wadood said.
“Vicious, savages. We’re savages,” end Takkarist McKinley said.
Describe it as you will, there is a strut to the Bruins’ defense this season, a far different image than they presented a year ago.
UCLA gave up an average of 28.1 points and nearly 400 yards per game in 2014. The averages are 9.5 points and 286.5 yards through two games this season, and the first-team defense has yet to surrender a touchdown.
The culmination of three seasons of work and four recruiting classes has forged a defense versatile enough to counter a range of offensive schemes, from Oregon’s up-tempo spread to Stanford’s smash mouth.
“We have a swagger, a demeanor, a borderline arrogance,” linebacker Myles Jack said. “We’re sure of ourselves.”
The general public likely isn’t so sure. Virginia and Nevada Las Vegas weren’t the most stern of nonconference tests, but on Saturday, the No.10 Bruins face No. 19 Brigham Young at the Rose Bowl.
The Cougars have exhibited perseverance, defeating Nebraska with a last-second Hail Mary and Boise State on a last-minute touchdown pass.
“We definitely understand what’s ahead of us,” Jack said.
And what they need to leave behind.
As college offenses perked up the past decade, UCLA defenses too often lagged. Even recently, as they’ve won more under Coach Jim Mora, the Bruins allowed 30 or more points in 17 of 39 games from 2012 through last season.
But with Mora, who is in his fourth season, a style was taking form. UCLA recruited, and prepared, defenders capable of handling whatever an offensive threw at them.
“I don’t know if it has changed that much,” Mora said of recruiting. “You’re still looking for big guys in the interior and speed on the edges and cover ability on the back end.”
Yet, he noted at least one significant shift.
“I think you’re looking for a more athletic breed of linebacker,” Mora said. “The old, Dick Butkus-style linebacker, you don’t see as many of those guys. You see more athletic types who can to play more in space.”
New-age offenses try to create mismatches with schemes that attempt to isolate speedy backs and receivers against slower defenders.
“It’s not like old days,” said UCLA defensive coordinator Tom Bradley, who coached 30 seasons at Penn State. “Every linebacker has to be able to cover the pass now. Your safeties have to be able to support the run. Your down guys have to play the zone-read options.”
UCLA expected to need a top defensive effort this season. The offense had nine returning starters, but the Bruins had a first-year freshman at quarterback.
“Earlier in year, before the whole world of Josh Rosen kicked off, Coach Mora used to come into defensive meetings and reiterated that we have to pull the team along this year,” linebacker Deon Hollins said. “We were ready to adopt that identity.”
Rosen has demonstrated that toting may not be needed. But Mora said, “Not every game is going to be a blowout. There are going to be games where there are struggles on offense, and you would hope that your defense can help you.”
That was beyond the defense’s reach a year ago, when the Bruins gave up 30 or more points in seven games.
UCLA defensive players struggled with trust. They said they believed in teammates, but that didn’t stop them from occasionally bolting from their assignment in a gambling effort to make a play elsewhere.
Now, Jack said, “I have confidence in the other guy. I know [linebacker] Kenny Young has his gap. It’s not even a question. I know Kenny Clark has his gap for sure. I know everyone has a job and I know they are going to be there.”
UCLA has seven defensive players who started at least 12 games in 2014, and that doesn’t include safety Randall Goforth, who sustained a season-ending shoulder injury in the second game. He started 13 games in 2013.
That experience, players said, morphed into maturity. “We gave up some plays we shouldn’t have last year,” Wadood said. “This year, we’re not only trying to be good, but perfect.”
With an edge.
“Not in the sense of playing dirty, but playing physical between the whistles,” Wadood said.
Said McKinley: “We all want to get to the ball. We all want to eat together, all to the ball, a bunch of savages.”
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