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UCLA Football: Preparing For The Arizona State Blitz

By Andrew Goodman

Nov 22, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils linebacker Salamo Fiso (58) celebrates with teammates after returning an interception 14 yards during the second half against the Washington State Cougars at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian -USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils linebacker Salamo Fiso (58) celebrates with teammates after returning an interception 14 yards during the second half against the Washington State Cougars at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian -USA TODAY Sports /
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UCLA football faces off against the Arizona State Sun Devils in Tempe, where they look to stop ASU’s exotic array of blitz packages.

The UCLA Football team took a hit last week in their win against Arizona, as offensive lineman Kolton Miller went down with an ankle/foot injury that will keep him sidelined for an extended period of time.

With Miller out, redshirt freshman Andre James will fill in. This will be a big test for him, despite handled himself very well against the Wildcats last weekend. Why is that?

This weekend, the Bruins have an interesting matchup against Arizona State who loves to bring pressure to the backfield. One of the bigger threats to the Bruin offense is ASU linebacker Salamo Fiso .

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The UCLA Bruins have done relatively well against the blitz this season, and there is usually a good pocket for quarterback Josh Rosen to get set and throw when there is pressure.

This needs to be a team effort for UCLA to stop the blitz, it is not only on the offensive line. Running backs are going to need to stick to their blocking assignments and the wide receivers need to help downfield.

Their defense has done relatively well against the run, which has been a problem so far this season for UCLA. This will yet again be another test for the offensive line to open up gaps for the running backs.

Arizona State has a fairly young, and inexperienced secondary. Look for Rosen to try and carve them up.

This is also a good opportunity for the TE’s to get open over the middle of the field. The wide receivers again will have to come up big and make plays for their quarter back which hasn’t happened this season.

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If UCLA does a solid job on taking care of the blitz coming from ASU, they should cruise to a victory in Tempe.