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UCLA Football: The Defense Makes Average Offenses Look Great

By Mike Regalado

September 10, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UNLV Rebels quarterback Johnny Stanton (4) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
September 10, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UNLV Rebels quarterback Johnny Stanton (4) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Football team was suppose to retool their defense under Tom Bradley, but unfortunately it looks like same as it did last year, making average offenses look very good.

It is a bit of a harsh reality. The UCLA Football team has a defense that is performing below average and they are allowing teams to look very good when going up against them.

Related Story: Bruins Struggle in Win Against UNLV

Last season, the Bruin defense had trouble with offenses due to injuries and an imbalance in time of possession (the defense was often on the field twice as long as the offense).

The Bruins have a few injuries (which is a slight problem), and the offense is spending more time on the field, so what is going on with the defense?

Getting Run Over

UCLA Bruins
UCLA Bruins /

UCLA Bruins

Defensive Coordinator Tom Bradley had moved his squad from a 3-4/nickel set up to a 4-3, primarily to try and stop the run. Unfortunately, it has not made a difference.

The Bruins have been in a nickel defense for the majority of plays in both the Texas A&M and UNLV games. It is a conservative approach that limits big plays, but also gives up short yardage.

Because of this, the Bruin opponents are inching their way down the field and capitalizing on everything UCLA is allowing them. Against UNLV, an average Mountain West team, UCLA looked subpar. Against an average Texas A&M offense, the Bruins made them look like offensive geniuses.

There are several things we can attribute to this. The Bruins have no pass rush. Their main weapon in this department is Takkarist McKinley who is currently out with a groin injury. There is hardly any pressure on the ball which is evident by the fact that the Bruins have one sack which came from LB Kenny Young in the UNLV game.

The Bruins still have trouble stopping the run. Against Texas A&M, UCLA allowed 203 yards on 5.6 yards per carry. Against UNLV, the Rebel’s lead rusher Lexington Thomas averaged 5.9 yards per run while the team as a whole averaged 5.0. Clearly this needs to be addressed.

What does not help in this situation is the fact that DT Eddie Vanderdoes suffered a strained knee against UNLV. He will be evaluated today and if he is out for an extended period of time, that would be very bad for the Bruins.

Pass Protection Improving

Luckily for UCLA, their pass defense is holding up their end of the bargain. Sort of.

Last week was not the best display as they allowed the Aggies 239 yards through the air. Against UNLV, things improved as they limited the Rebels to only 11 completions (out of 28 passes) for 153 yards. That was highlighted by S Randall Goforth who had two interceptions in the game.

With all things considered, the Bruins are not allowing big plays, but things need to improve immediately. UCLA has two very tough contests coming up as they travel to BYU next week and host Stanford the weekend after.

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We can be optimistic and believe that UCLA will have everything in order by the time these games roll around, but in reality, it looks like it will be a long season with the defense.