By John Sleeper
Herald Writer
SEATTLE – They’re soft. Jump on them and they wilt. They’re about finesse, not fight.
Over the years, UCLA’s defense has taken all the above hits, with some measure of validity.
That all stopped this season, a year that looks special for the seventh-ranked Bruins (4-0, 1-0 in Pacific-10 Conference play).
Led by Robert Thomas, seen by many as the nation’s best middle linebacker, the Bruins have shed whatever image some had of them as wispy, wilting weaklings. Yes, the Bruins could put points on the board, but in the last three years, they set school records in yardage allowed (5,254 in 1998) and points allowed (368 in 2000).
“We’ve had a hard time slowing people down,” UCLA coach Bob Toledo said. “Basically, we’ve had to outscore our opponent to win the game. It’s hard to score 30 points every game.”
They don’t have to now. UCLA held its last two opponents to single-digit points (six for Ohio State, seven for Oregon State). Against the Beavers, UCLA allowed just 220 yards of offense, 63 coming on a TD run on OSU’s last play from scrimmage, against reserves.
The Bruins allow just 11.8 points a game (sixth in the nation) and 271.5 yards a game (12th).
“We talked in the off-season, day in and day out, just how great the defense could be,” Thomas said. “We could be better, and that’s the scary part, because we’re doing pretty good now.”
In fact, the defense is making up for an uncharacteristically sloppy offense that has coughed up the ball eight times and is last in the Pac-10 in passing. Of the eight turnovers the Bruins have had, opponents have converted just one into a score. Ohio State was unable to score after any of four Bruin turnovers.
“With the defense doing what they’re doing this year, there’s not too many people panicking out there,” tailback DeShaun Foster said. “If we don’t score on a drive, that’s all right. If we have to punt, the defense is going to stop them and get us the ball back.”
Senior defensive end Kenyon Coleman has fully recovered from surgery on a knee that took him out of all but three games last year. Coleman was a prime reason that UCLA held Oregon State tailback Ken Simonton to a career-low 26 yards on 13 carries.
Much of the credit goes to Phil Snow, the Bruins’ third defensive coordinator in four years. Snow was snatched up by Toledo after leaving Arizona State when the coaching staff was fired.
“We’re a more aggressive-type defense,” Thomas said. “We do a lot of man blitz and zone blitz. We mix it up a lot and have the quarterback thinking about what we’re doing.”
Injury report: Washington defensive tackle Spencer Marona is done for the season after having shoulder surgery. UW coach Rick Neuheisel said safety Jimmy Newell and wideout Justin Robbins likely will redshirt because of lingering injuries. Newell has been bothered by a shoulder, Robbins a hamstring. Outside linebacker Kai Ellis (knees) might be back for next week’s home game against Arizona.
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