Sep 26, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Jerrard Randall (8) runs the ball under pressure from UCLA Bruins linebacker Kene Orjioke (46) during the third quarter at Arizona Stadium. UCLA won 56-30. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
LOS ANGELES — UCLA is ranked 7th in the country, is 4-0 and is coming off a resounding 56-30 victory at Arizona in prime-time.
So, why has coach Jim Mora been so grumpy.
After the win in Tucson, Mora was in no mood to be charitable to his run defense, which gave up 353 yards (6.0 per carry) to the Wildcats, who posted a pair of 100-yard rushers in running back Nick Wilson and quarterback Jerrard Randall.
“For a team to be able to run the ball on us like that, it’s inconceivable to me,” Mora said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. It makes me sick to my stomach.”
Well, it was the team’s first game without All-American linebacker Myles Jack, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in practice last week. The Bruins had previously lost run-stuffing defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes and cornerback Fabian Moreau for the season.
That sickness Mora felt about his rush defense will be a recurring theme as the Bruins prepare to play visiting Arizona State (2-2, 0-1) this Saturday at the Rose Bowl. The Sun Devils’ offense has been uncharacteristically flat this season, although running back Demario Richard is taking his place among the top backs in the Pac-12.
Sophomore linebacker Kenny Young was still steamed this week about the defense giving up 353 rushing yards.
“That’s embarrassing,” he told reporters after Monday’s practice.
“Look at how many yards we gave up. That’s embarrassing for me. That’s embarrassing to put on TV. … We missed 21 tackles. Come on, man. We’re supposed to be one of the top defenses, and we missed 21 tackles.”
Good personnel news last week was that UCLA got back cornerback Ishmael Adams from suspension, and he came up with an interception against the Wildcats.
As linebacker Deon Hollins put it, UCLA is still trying to “pick up the pieces” after losing three probable NFL players on defense, but the results are still good — the Bruins are allowing just 18.0 points per game. ASU has been held below 20 points twice this season.
Perhaps at some point, those personnel losses on defense will become a factor, especially in a deep Pac-12 that can provide unexpected challenges from unranked teams … such as ASU.
“Through and through,” Mora said of the league, “it’s daunting.”
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Paul Perkins gained just 85 yards on 24 carries last week, but anybody who watched would have thought he went for 185, because Arizona had a heck of a time bringing him down. Perkins is a guy who is always mentioned as being underrated nationally, but perhaps that effort in prime-time will help get him his due. The junior is averaging 128.5 yards per game and 6.3 yards per carry.
–WR Thomas Duarte made a spectacular one-handed grab last week against Arizona, part of a night in which he had four receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown. He’s second on the team behind Jordan Payton with 12 catches for 173 yards and two touchdowns.
–S Tahaan Goodman moved into the starting lineup last week in a new secondary alignment, and he led the Bruins with 10 tackles against Arizona. The junior exemplifies the depth UCLA has on that side of the ball; the former four-star recruit made nine starts last season.
SERIES HISTORY: UCLA leads ASU 19-11-1, although the teams have split the past eight games. The road team has won each of the past three meetings.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I got to practice with more urgency. I need to do everything right. Every little thing I need to do better, and that’s the part I’m going to take forward. If I see another guy not performing at his best, I’m going to hop on him too, because I’m not very happy. We won, but I’m not very happy at all.” — LB Kenny Young, on last week’s 56-30 win at Arizona.
