Valero Alamo Bowl: UCLA Offense Vs Kansas State Defense
Part of our previews for the Valero Alamo Bowl will include looking at different aspects of this game. In this piece we look at the match-up between the UCLA offense vs the Kansas State defense. The Bruins, when running on all cylinders, are a highly effective group that can move the ball both through the air and on the ground. Although, K-State is very tough and has been one of the better defenses in the Big XII Conference.
The Run Game
Nov 28, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Paul Perkins (24) runs for 14 yards and a first down in the first half of the game against the Stanford Cardinal at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
As Pink Floyd said, “Run like hell.” That is what UCLA needs to do in this game. They are good and need to show it against the Kansas State Wildcats. Junior running back Paul Perkins was the top rusher in the Pac-12 with 1,381 yards which translated to 115.1 yards a game. His specialty is finding the hole in the offensive line and pushing through the defense to get a few extra yards after contact as he eventually got six yards per carry. He is going to need to do that on a consistent basis against the K-State defensive line.
The Wildcats had the fourth best rush defense in the Big XII and only allowed 124.6 yards on the ground. They will be in for a test when they take on the Bruins who run nearly 200 yards per game. But at the same time, UCLA is running up against a wall with the four guys on K-State’s defensive front.
Ryan Mueller, an All-Big XII second team defensive end, will lead the push against the Bruins and will be aided by DT Will Geary and DE Jordan Willis, all of who are good at stopping the run. Unfortunately for them, they will be without DT Travis Britz, a Big XII Honorable Mention, who is out with an ankle injury.
Aug 30, 2014; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Ryan Mueller (44) rushes the passer during a 55-16 win against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
In the middle of the field, UCLA needs to avoid LB Jonathan Truman who is a huge guy that can really knock his opponents around. The former walk-on had the third most tackles (114) and the third most tackles per game (9.5) in the conference and also made the All-Big XII on the second team.
They may be good against the run but how will they handle the likes of UCLA QB Brett Hundley? He is the second best rusher on the team and is dangerous when he gets into the open field. Whether it is a read option or a decision to run after passing selections breakdown, K-State will have their hands full with the Bruins running game. UCLA has All-Pac-12 2nd Team junior center Jake Brendel who will be guiding an offensive line that is young but has been much improved later in the season. Unfortunately, they will be without fifth-year graduate transfer Malcolm Bunche due to academic ineligibility.
The Pass Game
It is funny how similar Kansas State is to UCLA in every facet of their program. That is exemplified by how the Wildcat’s secondary handles the pass game. Not only do the Wildcats run a 4-3 defense, but also balance that out with a nickel package, similar to the Bruins. One of their more dangerous assets in the nickel is Randall Evans who not only can play every position in the secondary, but is especially potent at nickel.
UCLA Bruins
To add to that threat, SS Dante Barnett and CB Danzel McDaniel are deadly in coverage and will help the third best pass defense team in the Big XII give hell to the Bruin’s pass game. Along with CB Michael Burns, Randall and Barnett are three of the best pass defenders in their conference, all who were among the top 20 in passes defended and have at least 3 interceptions on the year.
That is great, but they have not exactly seen an aerial attack likes UCLA’s. The Bruins do not have one or two go-to guys, they have up to ten. UCLA is at it’s best when they are distributing the ball to several players. It seems with the Bruins, everyone gets involved, wide receivers, running backs, full backs, tight ends… even linebackers. Though UCLA WILL spread it around, the more dangerous of the gang have to be WRs Jordan Payton, Devin Lucien and Devin Fuller, all of which average more than 35 reception yards per game.
Above all, KSU needs to keep on eye on Hundley as he will surely have this offense clicking. One of the Bruin’s best assets is their deception and the Bruin QB is very good at that, though he does tend to take a bit more time deciding on his passing options, he is deadly when he does. Overall, UCLA should be able to handle the K-State defense.
Nov 22, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports