For defensive tackle Brian Price, the recent struggles the UCLA football team has gone through on defense can be summed up in two simple words: missed tackles.
It’s an issue that has been addressed and readdressed by the UCLA coaches throughout the season thus far, and one that has drawn an increased amount of attention as the Bruins have lost three consecutive games after opening the year 3-0.
On Wednesday the Bruins (3-3, 0-3 Pac-10) were back to the individual tackling drills, trying to shore up a weakness before they travel to Tucson this weekend to face Arizona (4-2, 2-1).
“We do special tackling drills before practice, knocking the piss out of each other,” linebacker Reggie Carter said. “We’ve been playing football for a while so you know how to tackle. It’s just doing the fundamentals. I think guys get excited or get over-anxious to try to get a big hit or get out of control.”
During the first three weeks of the season, the Bruin defense resembled the strong unit the team has come to expect for the past few seasons. In the first three games, all UCLA wins, the Bruins did not allow an opposing running back to rush for more than 100 yards.
Yet in the past three games, all UCLA losses, the Bruins have allowed four running backs to rush for more than 100 yards, including two players (Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen) in last week’s 45-26 loss to California.
According to defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough, nothing has changed; the Bruins simply have not been able to execute.
“The last three backs have been outstanding backs,” Bullough said. “It’s not new; we just got to tackle better. We’ve been practicing that since day one, so it’s just that we got to make plays when they’re presented to us and we’ll be fine. If you take away those missed tackles, then there’s no extra yards, and we shut teams down.”
Saturday’s loss to the Golden Bears was all the more frustrating considering what the Bruin defense was able to do for the majority of the game against Best, considered to be one of the top running backs in the nation.
While Best finished the game with 102 yards on 18 carries, 93 of those yards came on a second quarter touchdown run, the third longest in Cal history, and was largely the result of missed tackles and poor angles. Additionally, Best lost a total of 32 yards on carries.
“We can control the run; it’s just missed tackles,” Price said.
Hester could return
After missing the last five games with a cracked right fibula, redshirt freshman cornerback Aaron Hester practiced against the scout team on Wednesday and could return in Saturday’s game against Arizona.
Hester entered the season as the starting cornerback opposite senior Alterraun Verner but was injured in the first game against San Diego State.
UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel said that it was still too early to determine to what extent, if any, Hester would play. Hester, however, believes he is ready to go.
“I’m just happy to be back playing football, and I’m ready,” Hester said. “I’m ready to play. Coaches are just taking it one step at a time, and I got to respect that, but I’m ready. I’m just waiting for my coaches to let me loose.”
Offensive line changes
With starting right guard Eddie Williams watching practice from the sidelines on crutches, the Bruins were forced to make a few changes to the offensive line on Wednesday.
True freshman Stanley Hasiak played left guard, while former left guard Jeff Baca took over for Williams, who suffered a fractured left ankle in last Saturday’s game against Cal.
Redshirt senior Nick Ekbatani also saw some time on the offensive line at practice before leaving with a tweaked left knee. He is expected to practice today.