The last two years have accounted for huge transformations in the UCLA football program, but when it comes to Utah, the biggest change stems from visiting Salt Lake City a month earlier.
When the Bruins visited Rice-Eccles Stadium back in November 2011, they looked unprepared for snow and a game-time temperature of 32 degrees, earning flag after flag and skidding to a 31-6 loss.
“You already know man, the cold,” said senior inside linebacker Jordan Zumwalt of the loss. “That was the coldest I’ve ever been in my entire life. I don’t think we’re going to have to face that this year, but it’s nothing we can’t overcome.”
As UCLA heads into its sixth Thursday night matchup in four seasons, it appears that Salt Lake City’s October skies will be friendlier, with meteorologists predicting a low of 41 degrees and no snow.
Some players present for the 2011 Utah debacle, including redshirt senior Y receiver Darius Bell, are forecasting a more resilient UCLA squad this time around.
“I think that’s the difference between this team and teams of the past is we embrace the challenge of going into Utah and playing a team that’s as physical as them and showing them who we are,” Bell said. “We have a chance to prove to the world what UCLA football is all about.”
The hardest part for past UCLA teams has been proving that toughness to themselves, but a difficult nonconference visit to Nebraska in front of 91,000-plus fans put things in perspective.
“Now we have a little sample of what a hostile environment is like,” said wide receiver Jordan Payton. “Going to Lincoln and playing in front of 90,000 gives us a taste of what those away games are going to be like. We’re ready for it and Utah is going to be a great challenge for us.”
One of UCLA’s biggest challenges on offense will be slowing a relentless Utah pass rush that has been virtually unstoppable through the Utes’ first four games. Even with a bye, Utah still ranks a top-10 sacking defense with 15.
Even without the painfully familiar face of defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, who was drafted in the first round of this year’s NFL draft, Utah is the best scoring defense the Bruins have played so far this season, allowing an average of 24.2 points per game even after a 51-48 overtime shootout with Oregon State.
“Star was obviously a great player,” said offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone. “I think maybe they don’t have the marquee name guy like they did last year, but I think as a group, the four defensive line is probably the best defensive line we’ve gone against.”
In lieu of big names, Utah (3-1) has relied on big-time toughness and clutch playmaking, including two key defensive stops against BYU late in the fourth quarter of a seven-point game.
“They’re relentless-type personality guys that keep coming after you, so our O-line’s going to … need to come out and they’re going to have to perform,” Mazzone said.
With a win, No. 12 UCLA (3-0) would improve to 4-0 for the first time since 2005 and earn its first victory in Salt Lake City since 1974.
Rather than trying to emulate the Utah successes of Dick Vermeil, UCLA’s coach in that game 29 years ago, current coach Jim Mora said the road trip boils down to maintaining mental toughness in an unfavorable environment.
“It’s about going into a place where there’s 45,000 against you and you’re taking your 70 in there and you’re not letting the distractions of the environment creep into your head and you’re playing good, solid football,” he said.