FanPost

As Injuries Mount, Coach Mora’s Game Planning Must Adapt

UCLA’s offense, led by QB Josh Rosen, has been very potent under new Offensive Coordinator Jedd Fisch scoring 45, 56, and 48 in their first three games respectively. His play calling combined with Josh Rosen’s execution has the offense looking like it can compete with any team in a shootout. However, the Achilles Heel of the UCLA Bruins, long term, could be its defense.

The player losses to the NFL including DE Takk McKinley (Atlanta Falcons), Fabian Moreau (Washington Redskins), Eddie Vanderdoes (Oakland Raiders), and Jayon Brown (Tennessee Titans) have hampered the experience and talent of the defense. Losing four game changers at all three levels of the defense and having their replacements ready to step in, is a tall task to handle. That task becomes even more daunting, when injuries pop up. With injuries to the likes of Freshman DE Jaelan Phillips and Senior OLB Kenny Young, the Bruins were forced to adapt on defense. They switched from their traditional 4-3 defense to more 3 and 5 man fronts to offset the lack of linebackers available for them to play. The lack of experience is leading to big plays both in the run and passing game. Coach Mora has been adamant to his young players displaying better eye discipline but you can only expect but so much from young players. On top of that, DE Osa Odighizuwa will miss the first half of the Pac-12 conference opener this Saturday against a Stanford team that was upset by San Diego State this past weekend; The first loss against a non-power five competitor in the Shaw Era.

In order for the Bruins to make it through their rough road schedule (Stanford, Washington, Utah, and USC) and have a realistic shot at the Pac-12 South title, all the new starters on defense (by way of draft or injury) will need to learn on the fly extremely quickly. A more physical run game up the middle to chew up clock, instead of stretch plays that get blown up causing constant 3rd and longs, would be an immense help to the defense as well. With the defense being a clear weakness, it is time for Coach Mora and his staff to focus on more ball control and keep his defense off the field as much as possible. The Bruins need to run the ball and ride Josh Rosen’s arm to victory and if that means winning a shootout every week so be it.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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