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UCLA Football vs Texas A&M: Defensive Review

By Michael Chavez

Sep 3, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back James White (20) is tackled by defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes (47) and defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley (98) and linebacker Jayon Brown (12) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back James White (20) is tackled by defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes (47) and defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley (98) and linebacker Jayon Brown (12) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Second Quarter

McKinley did not return to the field at the start of the quarter and his place was taken by Rick Wade at defensive end. We also got a chance to see a lot more of freshman Boss Tagaloa as he moved to the defensive tackle position.

Those substitutions didn’t help the Bruins though as they were unable to mount any pressure against the pass game and allowed the Aggie run game to gash them for an eventual touchdown by Oklahoma transfer Keith Ford.

In what was a complete 180 from the first half, the UCLA linebackers were an absolute mess. They were ineffective in the run game due to offensive linemen getting to the second level and struggled to keep pace with receivers and backs.

The secondary continued to play off in coverage allowing receivers to make catches with a six yard cushion in every direction. This type of coverage gifted the Aggies yardage giving them easy access to the redzone. For all of the preseason hype the UCLA secondary received, they have yet to deliver on that promise.

Next: UCLA Football vs Texas A&M Halftime Report

At the half the Bruins had allowed Aggie QB Trevor Knight to throw for 100 yards and rush for 13 more but kept him out of the endzone. The rush defense though struggled just like last year by allowing 103 yards before the half to the tune of 6.1 yards per carry and one score.

Second Quarter MVP was Eddie Vanderdoes who was stout in the run game and was able to beat guards multiple times for pass rush pressures.

Second Quarter Grade: D

Next: Third Quarter Analysis and Grade