UCLA defensive tackle Brian Price and then safety Bret Lockett both had a shot to bring down Oregon tailback LeGarrette Blount, late in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game at Oregon.
But Blount slipped past both Bruins and raced to a 69-yard touchdown. The score sealed a 31-24 Ducks victory.
Coach Rick Neuheisel said the Bruins will emphasize open-field tackling as they begin preparation for Stanford today.
“The best way to improve tackling is to tackle; you just go out, and you drill it,” the coach said at Monday’s press conference.
Neuheisel pointed to a yards-after-contact statistic in his analysis of the Bruins’ tackling against the Ducks. The Bruins allowed about 60 YAC in the first quarter, which Neuheisel said “is way too many.”
The Ducks’ spread offense was a factor. Oregon typically plays three or four wide receivers. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli stands a few yards behind the line of scrimmage with a tailback at his side.
That formation forced UCLA defenders to play slow, linebacker Reggie Carter said. Bruin defenders had to wait to see who would carry the ball ““ Masoli or a tailback ““ before they could react.
“They spread you out to create space, and it leaves a lot of guys out there to make one-on-one tackles,” Carter said. “When you’re playing against great athletes, it’s kind of hard to make one-on-one tackles in the open field. They kind of exposed us with that.”
Neuheisel did mention that Oregon’s YAC decreased in the second and third quarters, and the Ducks had just 14 YAC in the fourth quarter before Blount’s huge run.
Stanford does not run a spread offense, but Toby Gerhart, the Cardinal’s big, bruising running back, averages almost 6 yards per carry.
“We’re not there yet, but we’re improving,” Neuheisel said of the Bruins’ tackling. “We’ve just got keep looking for the right combinations of personnel that are going to get guys on the ground.”
AUSTIN IMPROVING: UCLA wide receiver Terrence Austin was carted off the Autzen Stadium field on Saturday after he received a vicious hit from Oregon safety T.J. Ward. Tests on Austin’s neck came back negative, and Neuheisel said he is “structurally” fine. He did suffer a concussion.
Austin has been feeling lingering headaches, and he will probably receive more tests this week. He is listed as questionable for the Stanford game.
PRITCHARD POSSIBLE: Stanford starting quarterback Tavita Pritchard will start against UCLA on Saturday if he can return to practice Wednesday. Pritchard suffered a concussion last week in the Cardinal’s upset win over Arizona. If Pritchard cannot play, junior Alex Loukas will start.
INJURY REPORT: The Bruins hope to regain the services of two offensive veterans: wide receiver Marcus Everett and center Micah Reed.
Everett has been out with a toe injury since Sept. 1, and Reed is recovering after suffering a knee injury at Brigham Young.
Defensive tackle Tom Blake, who missed the game against Oregon, is still questionable for Saturday. He suffered an abdominal strain and will meet with doctors early this week.
O-LINE NOTES: Even though Reed opened the season at center, he may play guard Saturday if he is able to return from injury.
Neuheisel said he doesn’t think Reed would be able to play a full game immediately. Instead, Reed will take turns with guard Darius Savage and Scott Glicksberg.
Neuheisel added that back-up center Jake Dean has played well since he replaced Reed.
With reports from Andrew Howard, Bruin Sports senior staff.