UCLA defense leads nation, faces physical test

UCLA defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler told his players on Wednesday that they need to stop relaxing. He argued that success often leads athletes to let their guard down, and he wants the group to grind every day to meet the standards of a team with an 8-0 record.

The Bruins have not started a season 8-0 since 2005. Hitschler’s unit leads the nation in forced turnovers and fumbles recovered. It ranks second in interceptions, passing efficiency defense, and defense on third down. The team sits seventh in total defense.

The stakes rise when UCLA travels to Minnesota on Saturday at 9 a.m. PT. Coach Bob Chesney described the Gophers as the most physical opponent the Bruins have faced this season. Minnesota has forced 14 turnovers, including six fumble recoveries, and emphasizes punching the ball out of opponents' hands.

Hitschler called out defensive back Osirus Gilbert during a morning meeting. He said players must overcome their internal tendencies to relax after success. "Everybody knows the right way to do things and the right way to train, especially in a game that is this hard," Hitschler said. He noted that waking up to work hard in meetings and practices is difficult, but coaches must fix slipping standards immediately.

The coaching staff welcomes scrutiny from players. Hitschler said he wants his assistants, including offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy, to hold him to the same high standard. "Any job of a coach is to help you maximize your ability, and the players appreciate coaches that are holding them to a standard to make that happen," he said.

Linebacker Sammy Omosigho was named a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award on Wednesday. The award goes to the nation's top lineman or linebacker. Kennedy noted that Omosigho’s hard work influences the entire team, not just the defense. "He’s positive, he always has a smile on his face, and he practices so damn hard it’s contagious," Kennedy said.

The offensive side of the ball has faced recent issues. Running backs Anthony Woods and Jaivian Thomas both fumbled in the first half against Michigan State two weeks ago. The offense converted only 6 of 16 third downs against the Spartans and 5 of 13 against Nevada.

Kennedy is using game film in practice to address these inconsistencies. He told players that practice intensity directly correlates with Saturday performance. "You pull up games when we did do well and go look at Tuesday and Wednesday shells; it matters," Kennedy said. He argued that hard practice leads to execution and good game results.

Minnesota’s defense is led by senior fifth-year linebacker Maverick Baranowski. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 230 pounds. He has recorded 62 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, two forced fumbles, one interception, two quarterback hits, and one sack. Senior defensive lineman TJ Bush Jr. is 6 feet 3 inches tall. He leads the Gophers with five sacks, seven tackles for loss, and three pass breakups.

The Bruins aim to improve to 9-0 on Saturday. That would be their first 9-0 season since 1998. The team must manage physical play and third-down conversions to maintain its perfect record.