UCLA defensive coordinator takes blame for struggles – Orange County Register

LOS ANGELES — At the end of a nearly 12-minute media session Tuesday, Ikaika Malloe’s eyes began to water.

UCLA’s defensive coordinator spoke on several topics after practice Tuesday, but one thing was abundantly clear: He placed responsibility for the defensive miscues the team suffered in the first four games of the season.

“I love this defense because I feel like I’m a part of them. You worked so hard to give me what I want, you know,” Malloe said. “And on the other hand, man, I just can’t, I mean, I’ve been up since three o’clock on Sunday because I just don’t want to let this team down. These kids fight hard, man. And I think the love for each other is what keeps us going. But basically, that’s technically my job. I just have to get these kids better so we can win.”

After Malloe left the media scrum, defender Bryan Addison took his place and commented on how emotional his coach became when talking about the team.

“Coach Malloe is one of those coaches who is easy to play for. “He’s so passionate about his players and his defense that he takes pride in what he does and what he teaches us,” Addison said. “Seeing the way he carries himself and how passionate he is about the game just makes me want to play for him even more.”

The Bruins’ defense struggled in four games, particularly against the pass, giving up 291 yards per game. UCLA ranks 117th in passing yards allowed among the 134 teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.

But UCLA’s defense showed signs of improvement in the second half against Oregon on Saturday. After UCLA gave up 28 points in the first half, Oregon went scoreless in the third quarter and allowed just one touchdown in the final 30 minutes.

Malloe attributed this improvement to going back to basics and playing with fewer distractions.

“I think what worked in this neighborhood was simplicity. It was really about lining up, playing football and then being able to execute our technique,” ​​Malloe said. “I think in the fourth quarter our technique fell apart a little bit, whether it was because of the amount of body hits they were taking and ultimately, you know, the aggressiveness of what Oregon was doing. But the third quarter, like you said, is something we have to hold on to and kind of move forward.”

Addison was also a bright spot on Saturday. The former Duck had the play of the day for his new team, returning an interception 96 yards for a touchdown to end the first half.

It was his first career pick-six and his fifth interception overall.

“It’s a dream of mine to make a play like that, but I feel like that play wouldn’t just happen against Oregon. It was one of those things we prepared for as a team,” Addison said.

“He was great, but I knew he would play like that. I think that was a very emotional game for him, you know, because of his past and his transfer status from Oregon,” Malloe said of Addison. “I think he’s taken a big step, not only in playing out his position, but also in kind of moving forward and now being one of the leaders of the defense.”

Changes in the defensive line

Defensive players Cherif Seye and Luke Schuermann, who hadn’t played much this season, were in action against Oregon on Saturday. It was the first game for Seye and the second appearance for Schürmann this season.