The UCLA defense answered a key question last Saturday against Virginia.
In the absence of its former leader – current Minnesota Vikings inside linebacker Eric Kendricks – the defense was able to maintain its cohesion and communication. Virginia’s offense tried to deke No. 13 UCLA (1-0) with multiple pre-snap movements – many more than defensive coordinator Tom Bradley expected – but the Bruins remained disciplined.
“We were never confused,” said coach Jim Mora.
Mora credited the composed performance to the two inside linebackers who are filling Kendricks’ leadership role this year: sophomore Kenny Young and junior Myles Jack.
“Our linebackers, inside linebackers especially, did a great job of handling the communication and getting guys lined up,” Mora said.
They will likely be tasked to do the same on Saturday night against UNLV (0-1).
The Rebels’ offense is difficult to plan for, as of now. Their coach – Tony Sanchez – only has one game of collegiate coaching experience, and it came last week.
“It’s hard to get a feel (for UNLV) because it is the first game,” Bradley said. “Everybody kind of adds from game one to game two.”
With the shortage of game film, the Bruins – particularly their inside linebackers – will need to make adjustments on the fly.
UCLA’s coaches have already tried to get a head start on those adjustments. Bradley and Mora have gone back to the film of Sanchez’s high school coaching days at Bishop Gorman in order to procure information on his tendencies and strategies. That will only go so far, though.
“You’ve got to guess a little bit on some things,” Bradley said.
The UCLA coaches realize they will inevitably see at least a few new looks come Saturday night in Las Vegas.
“You have to be prepared for unscouted looks, which forces you to just go back and pay attention to your rules,” Mora said. “Really that’s what it all comes down to … just making adjustments throughout the game.”
That’s what Northern Illinois did against Sanchez and UNLV last week. The Huskies were initially caught off guard by the Rebels’ two-quarterback offense, falling into a 17-3 deficit in the first half before coming back to win 38-30.
UNLV wore down as its surprise element wore off. The Rebels’ offense had 299 yards in the first half, but only 194 in the second. Meanwhile, the UNLV defense allowed 197 total yards in the first half, but a whopping 348 in the second.
Oddsmakers don’t think UNLV will put up a strong fight in either half against UCLA – even with the home-field advantage and a potential edge in the scouting department. As of Friday morning, the No. 13 Bruins are favored by 30.5 points, their largest point spread in recent memory.
That just gives UCLA one more new thing to adjust to, but one Bruin linebacker doesn’t see it as a problem.
“If any player tells you it’s the same (as a Pac-12 game), they’re lying,” said junior weakside linebacker Deon Hollins. “But our coaches do a good job of having us focus on the right thing and tuning out the noise.”