A year after ranking 94th nationally out of 120 teams in total defense and 86th in scoring defense – a performance that resulted in the firing of both defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough and defensive line coach Todd Howard – the Bruins have falled even farther.
After affording Arizona 573 total yards – including 254 on the ground, despite the Wildcats being ranked 119th in rushing yards oer game – UCLA currently ranks 106th in total defense (436.1 yards per game) and 108th in scoring defense (34.43).
“The other night we got pushed off the line of scrimmage,” Neuheisel said. “We have to make sure we get our pads down and get off the ball.”
Neuheisel also added that poor tackling by the safeties and coverage by the cornerbacks allowed the Wildcats to gain 6.4 yards per play and score on their first six possessions.