UCLA and the University of Nevada – Reno will both kick off the season looking for a fresh start after combining for a 1-5 record to close the 2012 season.
No part of either team will be greener than the secondaries. Nevada is the only team of the two to return a starter to the defensive backfield, although that player, redshirt junior Charles Garrett, will be making a transition from cornerback to safety.
UCLA coach Jim Mora said that Nevada’s personnel turnover means little for the Bruins, as Mora prepares more for scheme than for individual players. The Wolf Pack head into the Rose Bowl with a newly-installed Tampa 2 defense that Mora knows well. Mora spent a significant amount of time with the defense’s pioneers, Tony Dungy and Monte Kiffin, during his many years as a defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator in the NFL.
The Tampa 2 generates pressure on quarterbacks almost exclusively through its defensive line. In its most basic form, two outside linebackers and two cornerbacks drop into zone coverage up to about 12 yards away from the line of scrimmage, while a lone inside linebacker drops back from his starting spot to a depth of 15 yards upfield. Two safeties patrol the deep halves of the field, and are responsible for any balls beyond 20 yards.
On paper, the Tampa 2 is designed to limit the surrender of big plays, forcing quarterbacks into assembling longer drives sustained by short or intermediate passes. This allows progress to be halted by quick-moving, sure-tackling linebackers and defensive backs.
Given the popularity in the college game of spread offenses that often utilize mobile quarterbacks and at least four receivers, as UCLA does, base defenses revolving around the Tampa 2 are rare at the collegiate level. In particular, defending against a potential multitude of playmakers in any given area can force downfield zone defenders into tough positions.
USC head coach Lane Kiffin, son of last year’s defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, was quoted in the Eugene Register-Guard as saying that the Tampa 2 represents a defense that’s “irrelevant to spread teams.”
The 2012 rendition of Los Angeles’ crosstown rivalry highlighted a few requirements and potential strengths of the Tampa 2.
Monte Kiffin saw his Trojans limit UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley to just two completions of 20 yards and over, with none amounting to more than a 25-yard gain. USC’s implementation of the sound tackling necessitated by scheme, however, failed. The Trojans missed 23 tackles, including 12 on Hundley, en route to surrendering 172 rushing yards and 38 points to the Bruins.
Despite emphasizing that the Wolf Pack’s choice of defense is more complex than it appears, Mora charged Nevada’s defenders with showcasing the capabilities of their scheme.
“It’s not some mystical thing. It’s just a defense. It matters how you play it, the players you have playing it,” Mora said.
The Linebacking Corps
Though both the Bruins and Wolf Pack enter the year with overhauled secondaries, only the latter will sport a brand new starting linebacking unit. UCLA returns three starting linebackers from last year, with redshirt sophomore outside linebacker Aaron Wallace the only new addition to the first-team unit.
Although the “Linebacker-U” episode in spring held no meaning for linebacker coach Jeff Ulbrich, his group of players shows a level of ability that he says makes him look good as a coach.
Ulbrich gave particular praise to his inside linebackers, whom he sees as the leaders of UCLA’s entire defense.
“When it’s done correctly, I believe, (the inside linebackers) should be the leaders of your defense. I think the guys we have playing that position have assumed that role right now,” Ulbrich said.
Redshirt junior inside linebacker Eric Kendricks recognized the high experience level among the members of his position group, adding that increased patience would help to solidify the unit.
Kendricks is one of three linebackers who comprise all of the team’s defensive captain spots. Redshirt junior inside linebacker Ryan Hofmeister and senior outside linebacker Anthony Barr join Kendricks as official leaders of the defense.
Hofmeister earned a captain title despite being a back-up player who helped fill in for an injured Kendricks throughout fall camp.
“I’m lucky to have a guy like that in my room. I (call) him my security blanket, because he can play all the spots, and I don’t think we miss a beat when he goes in there,” Ulbrich said.