Previewing the UCLA Bruins defense ahead of Week 5 game vs. Oregon Ducks

The demise of the UCLA defense without their former coordinator D’Anton Lynn seems to have been premature.

While the offense is still struggling to move the ball down the field consistently, the defense is still keeping teams off the scoreboard as best it can.

Indiana had their way with UCLA in both teams’ Big Ten opener ans there was a little lapse at LSU where the Bayou Bengals put up 34 on the board. But that was on the road in SEC country and for the most part, UCLA did a good job. That game was tied 17-17 in the second half.

Coupled with the hot and humid weather plus being on the field way too long, the Bruins’ defense wore down. That seems to be a theme. The offense

isn’t exactly helping out and by the time the second half rolls around, the defense has had enough.

That might be the game plan for the Oregon Ducks as they head down to the Rose Bowl Saturday night to face the 1-2 UCLA team.

It won’t be that easy, however. The Ducks are coming off a bye, and the Bruins feel a little better about themselves despite losing to LSU.

Linebacker Kain Medrano leads the way for the Bruins with his 21 tackles, for for loss and a forced fumble. He’s done is all for UCLA so far and Medrano is one defender to look out for, according to Duck head coach Dan Lanning.

“When he pulls the trigger, he ends up in the backfield quickly. He’s got a good stop-and-go,” Lanning said. “He’s a knock-back tackler. So he’s, you know, he’s able to get guys on the ground when he shows up in special teams. It’s kind of like the kind of guy when he plays with his hair on fire when he’s on the field.”

UCLA has a familiar face in Bryan Addison, a former Duck that transferred out. He already has 14 tackles and a fumble recovery. Lanning says there has been a lot of changes on both sides that playing against Addison or tight…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/previewing-ucla-bruins-defense-ahead-161149840.html

Author : Ducks Wire

Publish date : 2024-09-25 16:11:49

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