Myles Jack to play pivotal defensive role this year v. ASU
In last year’s 38-33 loss to Arizona State, then-freshman linebacker Myles Jack (left) was solely on the receiving end of hard tackles such as this one, as he played running back for the entire game and didn’t take a snap on defense. When the teams face off again on Thursday, Jack will finally be able to showcase his tackling ability against the Sun Devils, as he will be playing outside linebacker.
(Daily Bruin file photo)
By Chris Kalra
Sept. 22, 2014 7:44 p.m.
Myles Jack could only stand on the sidelines and watch.
In front of him, as UCLA played Arizona State with the 2013 Pac-12 South division title at stake, the then-freshman linebacker’s fellow defensive teammates were getting carved apart on the field, play after play, by the Sun Devils’ offense.
With UCLA’s running back depth worn thin by injuries, Jack took snaps solely in the backfield. None on defense.
“There was a couple times where I kind of wish I was out there,” he said. “I was kind of wondering (‘what if’).”
By halftime, the score was 35-13 ASU.
By game’s end it was 38-33 ASU.
UCLA’s downfall was its defense, which allowed its second-highest yardage total on the year – 448. Being without one of its starting outside linebackers certainly didn’t help the cause.
“I definitely wished I could have played in that game (on defense) last year,” Jack said.
This season, when No. 11 UCLA (3-0) faces No. 15 ASU (3-0) on Thursday night, Jack will get his chance, and UCLA its shot at redemption.
Not only will Jack play defense, his role there may prove the game’s most pivotal – limiting ASU’s junior running back D.J. Foster.
With ASU’s redshirt senior starting quarterback Taylor Kelly sidelined, Foster – who is third nationally in rushing yards and also was the nation’s leaders in receiving yards at his position last season – will be the Sun Devil’s most dangerous offensive threat, and the Bruins’ most formidable challenge.
“Stats don’t lie. I feel like he’s one of the best (running backs) we’ve seen thus far, and maybe in the nation,” said redshirt senior inside linebacker Eric Kendricks. “He has a lot of aspects to his game that are elite, and we’re going to treat him as such.”
Sometimes, Foster will line up in the backfield, and maybe motion out to the receiver. Other times, he’ll line up at receiver, and then motion back to the running back.
Whatever the case, expect Jack to be tagging his trail, his NFL-level athleticism and pass-defending skills appearing to be tailor-made for a matchup like this one.
If Foster gets in space, he can shake and shift to break tackles. To first get in space, Foster uses his speed and acceleration, pushing the door open to take shorter runs deep.
UCLA’s entire defense will be on call against Foster, but the burden, and the challenge, will mostly fall on Jack.
“I’m definitely excited to see where I stand with a guy like that,” he said.
“He’s one of the best running backs in the nation, so covering him out of the backfield and just making tackles, that’ll be a good measure. I’m up for the challenge.”
Goforth out for season
Junior safety Randall Goforth will miss the rest of the season, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich confirmed Monday.
In UCLA’s 42-35 win over Memphis Sept. 6, Goforth separated his right shoulder, after separating his left shoulder during Fall Camp. As per a Los Angeles Times report, Goforth will have surgeries on both shoulders and is expected to be ready by next fall.
“It’s too bad because Randall is one of our defensive leaders. It definitely hurts,” Ulbrich said. “But at the same time, with injury comes opportunity.”
That opportunity should burn brightest for sophomore safety Tahaan Goodman, who started in Goforth’s spot against Texas, and appears to be his replacement moving forward.
