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UCLA Football Spring Game Recap: Defense, Austin Burton shine

By Mike Regalado

WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Chip Kelly speaks to the media during a press conference after being introduced as the new UCLA Football head coach on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Chip Kelly speaks to the media during a press conference after being introduced as the new UCLA Football head coach on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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UCLA Football Spring Game Recap (cont.)

As for the defense, it was refreshing to see players quickly react to what the offense was doing rather than wait for the ball to come to them, which simplistically describes the “bend but don’t break” style  former defensive coordinator Tom Bradley ran.last season.

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As noted above, the defense accounted for multiple interceptions as well as several sacks/tackles for a loss. Even if the offenses got some decent yardage, both defenses swarmed the ball carrier, rarely allowing yards after contact.

The defenses were quite aggressive, which is something I have seen in practice the last seven weeks and am very happy about. They were so aggressive that LB Shea Pitts was “ejected” on the second drive of the game for targeting. But because it was a spring game, he was allowed to stay.

The defensive line and linebackers showed a lot of that “violence” DL coach Vince Oghobaase preached during practice as they were able to shed blocks and hit the edges to get at the ball. Interestingly enough, they did allow several runs up the middle, something that should be shored up by fall.

The defenses were also good in coverage. LB Krys Barnes had the first INT of the game as he read Modster’s throw in the middle of the field early in the game. The secondary accounted for the other interceptions as Mo Osling III and Elijah Gates picked the ball out of the air.

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Though the offense still needs time to get things up to speed, the defense looks like they are ready for the 2018 season. They were aggressive, impressive and could be the saving grace of UCLA football this fall, something that we haven’t seen in Westwood for a few seasons.