UCLA Football: To Blitz, or Not To Blitz?

Aug 30, 2014; Charlottesville, VA, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman

Owamagbe Odighizuwa

(94) and Bruins linebacker

Eric Kendricks

(6) line up against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

UCLA’s defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has shown a flurry of schemes in the teams first three games this season — each one revealing faults. Against Virginia, in the opener, the Bruins struggled to get pressure on the quarterback, and in fact never even recorded a sack. This, however, did allow the DBs and linbackers to stay in coverage, leaving minimal gaping holes on the field. Somehow, though, even when covered by the likes of Fabian Moreau, the receivers continued to haul in catches, and thus sitting back wasn’t making the necessary difference.

When the Bruins took on Memphis in game two of the season, they struggled to cover the screens and dump off passes when bringing pressure on third and longs. The result? First downs for Memphis. In attempt to fix this clear issue, the Bruins tried to bring pressure against Texas’s then backup quarterback, Tyrone Swoopes. Their goal, however, was to leave as many men in coverage as they could. With a defensive front comprised of Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Kenny Clark, Eddie Vanderdoes, Ellis McCarthy, and other strong pass rushers, the Bruins managed to force a collapse of the pocket, yet they weren’t getting sacks. Swoops, the mobile, Vince Young-esq quarterback continually escaped the pocket, completing passes on the run to wide-outs just a half step ahead of the UCLA corners.

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So what should Jeff Ulbrich sketch up for the Bruins this Thursday as UCLA visits Tempe to take on Arizona State? It is absolutely crucial that the Bruins sit back in coverage, blitzing minimally. Without starting quarterback Taylor Kelly, ASU will rely on backup Mike Bercovici. Bercovici, the immobile young quarterback, is bound to make a few arrant throws under pressure — and UCLA cannot capitalize on them without their defense ready to ball hawk.

Some teams bring pressure against young QB’s in an attempt to force those ill-advised throws, but if the pressure can come without an extra man, all the better; UCLA is one of the best teams in the PAC-12 as far as getting the job done without an extra man is concerned. We cannot, however, put aside the fact that the strength of this ASU team is their offensive line, but they play best when called upon to run block. While as a unit, they are strong, UCLA’s defensive line can beat them in any 1-on-1, lineman-on-lineman match up.

If UCLA can bring pressure without bringing the blitz, fans in Tempe are going to have a long, long, night.