Defense Holds Late, Bruins Stun Vols On Road

(first published on KLAC's Bruins Board website --- 9/12/09)

As the 2009 season approached, UCLA's coaching staff knew defense would be the backbone of this year's team. Two games into the year with two victories to show for it: So far, so good.

Leading by six points in the closing minutes of yesterday's battle with Tennessee in Knoxville, UCLA was up against the wall---literally. The Vols had driven 52 yards to the Bruins' 2 yd line and had a 3rd & goal coming up. But defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough didn't flinch, and neither did his unit.

"Up against it, on the road, loud environment, fatigue factoring in . . . I couldn't be prouder of the toughness we showed," said Bullough afterwards. "We've got a lot we can do better, but so far, we've got the right attitude and guys are stepping up for each other in big spots."

The Bruins' 'D' closed the hole twice on Vols' running backs---first on Bryce Brown, then on Montario Hardesty. The result was a 19-15 nailbiter of a win, UCLA's second straight against Tennessee following last year's victory at the Rose Bowl. The Bruins are 2-0, while Lane Kiffin suffered his first loss as the Vols' head coach. UT is now 1-1.

After throwing for five touchdowns in Tennessee's 63-7 season-opening massacre of Western Kentucky, Vols' senior QB Jonathan Crompton had an awful game at home against UCLA. Finishing 13 for 26 for just 93 yards and 3 interceptions, the Bruins' front seven got in his face constantly. And big games for DT Brian Price and the D-line usually bode well for the secondary. Senior Alterraun Verner got his first pick of the year, while sophomore S Rahim Moore snared two more---for an incredible total of five interceptions in just two games. It would have been six if not for an offsides call that wiped out another one.

"I just read the quarterback," Moore offered later. "I knew that Crompton had some skills, but I also knew that he could throw a pick because any quarterback can. I was just sitting back and reading the quarterback."

It wasn't a pretty game for either offense. UCLA managed just 186 total yards, but freshman QB Kevin Prince didn't make any huge mistakes. He was 11 of 23 for 101 yards and a 12 yard touchdown toss to fullback Chane Moline. Prince looked rattled early, but for a guy playing in just his second collegiate game, did an impressive job of keeping his poise in front of 100,000 loud Vols' supporters.

The Bruins fumbled an astonishing five times in the game, but lost only one of them. Head coach Rick Neuheisel noted there's plenty of room to get sharper.

"To come in here and find a way to beat a team like Tennessee," said Neuheisel, "that says a lot about our team's character and what we're made of. The offense hasn't looked pretty yet, those guys are still trying to figure things out, but I know we'll get better and it sure feels great to be 2-0 right now."

Placekicker Kai Forbath continued to show why he's one of the best in college football. Missing one early kick from 51 yards out, Forbath canned all four of his other attempts, including three straight to start the second half that broke a 10-10 halftime deadlock and gave UCLA a 19-10 lead after three quarters.

Bruins' freshman running back Jonathan Franklin had a strong game as well, with 80 yards rushing on 17 carries. That mostly cancelled out Tennessee tailback Montario Hardesty, who gained 89 yards on 26 attempts. And Franklin set a physical tone early, with some ploughing up-the-gut runs that helped the Bruins take the opening kickoff deep into UT territory for an early field goal.

UCLA is now 4-0 against the SEC since 2000 (two wins apiece over Tennessee and Alabama). Next up for the Blue & Gold is the final non-conference game of the year at home on Saturday against Big 12 foe Kansas State (1-1). The Wildcats lost a tough one to Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday, 17-15.

-JAB