Bruins expect varied Wolf Pack offensive strategy in season opener

UCLA football coach Jim Mora heads into Saturday’s football season opener at the Rose Bowl without an exact idea as to what the University of Nevada, Reno offense will be like. His predictions of an offense featuring pistol and run and shoot concepts do little to paint a picture of the Wolf Pack’s plans. The pairing of those offensive philosophies evokes images of both ground and aerial attacks.

Jeff Ulbrich, the Bruins’ linebackers coach, said that the combination of the pistol and run-and-shoot offenses creates a dynamic that demands extra preparation from defense. The four- and five-wide receiver pistol formation sets he looks for Nevada to utilize are similar to the ones UCLA runs, although Mora recognized that Nevada’s backfield motions and options contribute to a different “flavor” of an attack. Run and shoot concepts provide the aerial balance for the run-heavy pistol that Nevada has popularized in recent years.

The abilities of Wolf Pack quarterback, junior Cody Fajardo, embody notions of a varied offensive philosophy from Nevada. Fajardo rushed for more than 1,000 yards and threw for almost 2,800 in leading college football’s No. 7 yardage offense last season.

Mora compared Fajardo to Nevada product and current San Francisco 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The UCLA coach was impressed with Fajardo’s ability to throw after running to either side of the field, as well as his protection of the football and fearlessness.

Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks said they view the fleet-footed Fajardo as “crafty,” with the latter stressing the importance of proper tackling technique in corralling Nevada’s top returning rusher.

“You have to run him down and break down correctly.  … You’ve got to get him when he’s not expecting,” said Kendricks, a redshirt junior starting at inside linebacker. “Also, when he does expect it, you have to be ready (to) … break down and tackle him.”

Barr figures to play a key role Saturday whether Fajardo runs or throws. A senior outside linebacker known for his pass-rushing abilities, Barr said he devoted much attention to improving his run defense this offseason. Now in his second season of setting the edge against ground games, he feels very comfortable coming into a matchup against 2012’s 8th-best rushing attack.

Given the run and shoot aspects of Nevada’s offense, preparation seems as if it can only do so much for the UCLA defense. Run and shoot strategy features many pre-snap movements by receivers, as well as improvisations by the quarterback and pass catchers as they read defenses post-snap. Fajardo’s mobility allows for extended plays that give receivers more time to adjust routes and find and settle in the defensive backfield’s openings.

According to redshirt sophomore safety Anthony Jefferson, game film study has UCLA ready for whatever Nevada may bring. Jefferson said that the Bruins employ schemes fit to contain the Wolf Pack’s shifty signal caller.

“We have to make all of our calls, and as the play develops, it’s all about trusting your technique, trusting what you’re supposed to do within a specific coverage,” Jefferson said.

Jefferson also said he believes that discipline, in sticking to football fundamentals, will help his team in handling the plays and opportunities created by fakes so often seen in pistol offenses.

Ulbrich’s thoughts on defending against mobile quarterbacks also stressed the importance of preparation, as seen in how well players know their responsibilities, as well as communication.

“In the run game, you typically gap everything up. When the quarterback’s running the ball, it’s like the gap is unaccounted for, essentially,” Ulbrich said. “Everyone has to do their job. If they do that, then we have a chance. If we don’t, then (the quarterback) can make it a long day for you.”