Sports Briefs

Monday, October 13, 1997

Sports Briefs

Bruins hold back Oregon’s offense

"It took a while to adjust to," UCLA defensive coordinator Rocky
Long said of Oregon’s offense, which rambled for 144 rushing yards
on just 10 carries in the first quarter of Saturday’s game.

But in the game’s final three quarters, the Ducks’ offense
netted just 58 rushing yards on 26 carries.

"We were in what’s called a fast-play defense," Bruin linebacker
Brian Willmer said. "We had too much emphasis on (the tailback),
and (Oregon quarterback Akili) Smith was keeping the ball and
cutting up the middle on us."

Smith’s ability to run the ball frustrated the Bruins throughout
the first quarter, especially on the Ducks’ eight-play, 65-yard
drive that put them up 7-3. Smith was especially effective running
the option, a play in which the quarterback has the option of
either pitching to a running back or keeping it for a quarterback
run.

"In the second half we went to the slow-play defense," Willmer
said, "which means you play soft against the option. You kind of
wait to see what the quarterback does before you attack. We moved
the rover and safety to the edge and told them to go after the
quarterback and not worry about the pitch."

It worked. While Smith finished the game with 67 yards on 14
carries, 42 of those yards came on just three carries in that early
drive.

Linemen deserve credit for win

UCLA’s defensive tackles (i.e. interior defensive linemen) were
a big factor in shutting down the Ducks’ offense in the second
half. Jeff Ruckman, who was without a starting spot until the
Houston game, came up with seven tackles, including two sacks. And
Damon Smith finished with four tackles and a sack; the two linemen
accounted for all but one of the Bruins’ sacks.

No Bruin has 100 tackles this year

Many of college football’s best linebackers finished seasons
with well over 100 tackles (i.e. plays on which they tackle an
opposing player who’s carrying the ball); senior Brian Willmer is
coming off a junior season in which he notched 102. But this year
no Bruin looks within reach of the century-mark in tackles. Going
into Saturday’s game, back-up rover Eric Whitfield had the team
lead with 24.

But while no one tackler is piling up outstanding statistics, a
lot of different tacklers are putting up impressive ones. At the
end of Saturday’s game, Whitfield still held a share of the team
lead with 25 tackles, but seven Bruins have at least 23. Whitfield
and strong safety Larry Atkins both have 25; linebacker Willmer,
rover Wasswa Serwanga and free safety Shaun Williams have 24, while
linebackers Danjuan Magee and Brendon Ayanbadejo have 23.

Meanwhile, a fourth Bruin linebacker is beginning to make his
presence felt. Jason Nevadomsky was all over the place on Saturday,
recording six tackles and intercepting a pass. Though he doesn’t
start, Nevadomsky now has 20 tackles, good for eighth on the
team.

Sailer lengthens field-goal streak

UCLA kicker Chris Sailer made all four of his field goals; he
has now made 13 in a row after missing his first attempt of the
year against Washington State. But Sailer missed an extra point on
UCLA’s fourth-quarter touchdown, his first missed extra point of
the year.

Sailer’s 56-yard field goal was tied for the longest ever at
Autzen Stadium. It was also the longest ever in UCLA history. The
record until Saturday had been set in 1976 by Frank Corral. That
55-yard kick also came against Oregon.

Meanwhile, Oregon’s Josh Smith was unsuccessful in an effort to
top his season’s best kick of 32 yards. His 36-yard attempt in the
second quarter missed wide right.

Compiled by Mark Dittmer, Daily Bruin Staff, with reports from
Daily Bruin wire services.