Football: Bruins continue to struggle to stop run

The explanations may differ, but the conclusion remains the
same. UCLA’s run defense is just not good enough. And the
unfortunate reality for the UCLA football team is that this
deficiency probably won’t change for the rest of season. Some
will point to the incongruity of the starting defensive linemen,
while some will say they’ve missed key starters, and others
can’t give a reason at all. But regardless of the excuse, it
cannot be ignored that UCLA allowed a dreary Arizona team to more
than double its average rushing yards Saturday. For a Bruin team
that moves on to their tougher half of the season next week against
California, something must be done. “Obviously we’re
struggling there,” defensive coordinator Larry Kerr said of
the rushing defense. “We just have to be better in the run
game. But there are times in the run game that guys just
aren’t making plays and that’s the frustrating
part.” The Bruins allowed the Wildcats to gain 258 yards and
two touchdowns on the ground, with back up running backs Gilbert
Harris and Chris Henry having career days. In its previous four
games, Arizona had only averaged 106.5 yards rushing, further
compounding the vulnerable state of the Bruins’ run defense.
The inability to stop the run game is a problem that has plagued
the defense all season, most pointedly in the loss against Oklahoma
State when the Cowboys rushed for 426 yards and four touchdowns.
But UCLA’s answer as to how it will right the ship is not
completely clear. “I don’t know really what to say
about that,” linebacker Spencer Havner said. And after a
pause he added, “We need everything to settle down, and get
everyone back.” The defense has certainly been hampered by
injuries to key players such as linebacker Justin London and
defensive ends Kyle Morgan and Brigham Harwell. Additionally,
tackle C.J. Niusulu was forced to sit out last weekend with a
suspension. But Havner’s claims of lack of continuity on the
field were not shared by all. “Nope, we have to get the job
done no matter what,” defensive end Justin Hickman said in
response. “We can’t use that as an excuse,” Kerr
said. “Guys have to be able to step in. As a coach I look at
it like that’s our job to go out there and get them playing
together and as a player you have to go out there and do your job
and play hard.” For Kerr, the most critical Bruin mistake
during Saturday’s game was the massive number of missed
tackles, an issue he vowed to resolve for next week. “Usually
when they tackle like that they won’t win a lot of
games,” Kerr said. “Effort and making some plays at the
right time allowed them to escape. “We’ll tackle better
next game. That’s not acceptable.”

NEXT PAGE: In his collegiate debut as a punt
returner, safety Jarrad Page felt right at home. “It felt
like high school again” he said. “Once they kicked the
ball it was just natural.” Page filled in for injured senior
receiver Craig Bragg, who sat out again Saturday with a separated
shoulder. In his one return of the night, Page gained 15 yards.

A SLOW CLIMB: Though they have yet to crack the
Top 25 in the polls, the Bruins are getting closer. With its fourth
straight victory, UCLA vaulted to 28th in the newest Associated
Press poll that came out Sunday, receiving 50 votes. Meanwhile in
the ESPN/USA Today coach’s poll, the Bruins are 29th with 44
votes, skyrocketing from last week’s total of six votes.

ODDS AND ENDS: UCLA has scored at least 30
points in its last four games. The last time that happened was in
1998-99 when the Bruins scored at least 30 in the final five games
of the 1998 season and the first game of the 1999 season. …
Maurice Drew ranks third in the nation and second in the Pac-10 in
all-purpose yards (194.2) and ranks eighth in the country and
second in the Pac-10 in rushing (138.2). … Fullback Michael Pitre
scored his first career touchdown on a 28-yard pass from
quarterback Drew Olson in the first quarter. … Olson’s four
touchdown passes is a new career-high.