Junior defensive tackle Sean Phillips pulls
Kansas quarterback Zach Dyer to the ground in the
Bruins’ win at Kansas Saturday.
By Adam Karon
Daily Bruin Staff LAWRENCE, Kan. It is clear that a defense has
succeeded when the opposition rushes for 2.4 yards per carry while
completing only 12 of 33 passes. Such ineffectiveness was caused by
a UCLA front seven core displaying a tenacity and hunger rarely
seen on the West Coast. Bruin defenders were tearing about the
field, recording three sacks and forcing three Kansas turnovers,
one of which was an interception returned for a touchdown by senior
linebacker Ryan Nece. "That’s what it”šs all about,"
senior linebacker Robert Thomas said of Nece’s score. "As
linebackers we’re always talking about how we need to get
someone in the house (end zone)." For the second straight week the
Bruins held their opponent to just 17 points, seven of which were
scored against second- and third-stringers late in the game. "I
can’ remember the last time, as long as I’ve been
around here, that the opponent scored 17 points two games in a
row," head coach Bob Toledo said. Even though KU often went with
three and four receiver sets, UCLA refrained from using nickel
packages with extra defensive backs. Instead, new defensive
coordinator Phil Snow relied on his linebackers to cover and his
front four to pressure. Nece, Thomas and the rest of the
linebackers (Brandon Chillar, Dave Ball and Marcus Reese) shut down
a KU offense that last week scored 24 points on 333 total offensive
yards. Jayhawk backs and receivers were rarely tackled by a single
defender, instead going down under a barrage of Bruins.
UCLA’s aggressive new look, capable of disrupting both the
ground and air attacks, showcases the athletic ability and depth of
the front seven. KU”šs leading rusher turned out to be backup
quarterback Mario Kinsey, while starting running back Marcus Duncan
finished with 16 yards on 11 carries. When the Jayhawks did pass,
quarterbacks Kinsey and Zach Dyer were constantly hounded by
UCLA”šs front four, throwing two interceptions and fumbling
once. "They”šre putting a lot more emphasis on us getting up
field, pressuring the QB," said defensive lineman Anthony Fletcher,
who tallied one of three Bruin sacks. For most Bruin defenders, the
newfound enthusiasm is a matter of pride. The unit is fed up with
the criticism stemming from a horrific 2000 season in which they
gave up an average of 31.5 points per game. This year they have
nearly cut that number in half. "There’s a hunger to disprove
all that we”šve done in the past, and to make a name for
ourselves as players and as a defense," Nece said. The effort is
not going unnoticed, particularly in the eyes of the offensive
players. After the game, sophomore wide receiver Tab Perry said the
defense looked like a pack of animals on the field, commenting that
it could be the best in four or five years. Senior tailback DeShaun
Foster pointed out the effect the defense has had so far on the
team’s overall attitude. "I have full confidence that we can
win a game with 21 points," he said. The Bruin defense and their
new swarming mentality has already succeeded in making a name for
itself: the Pack Attack.