By the numbers countdown to kickoff: 8 days

Photo by Frank Perez/Correspondent

Photo by Frank Perez/Correspondent

Countdown the days to UCLA’s season-opener against Texas A&M with key stats facing the Bruins this year.

8TH IN THE PAC-12 IN RUSHING DEFENSE LAST YEAR

The Bruins were ranked eighth in the conference in rushing defense (198.5 yards allowed per game) last year with major losses to Stanford and Nebraska all due to the team’s inability to stop the run.

Stanford racked up 311 rushing yards against the Bruins while Nebraska, which finished the season with a losing 6-7 record, had 326 in the Foster Farms Bowl.

UCLA hopes that concentrating on run fits and proper technique, combined with a switch to a 4-3 formation will fix last year’s woes. So far, they’re encouraged by the results in practice.

Going against Kennedy Polamalu’s offense also helps the defense prepare to face Stanford’s powerful running game again this season.

“Practice now is much more physical,” defensive lineman Rick Wade said. “It’s much different, it’s completely different. So seeing the double teams, seeing the fullbacks, seeing the tight ends, it really does help us and I think it will translate into the season.”

Here’s a reminder of how the defense performed each game against the run.

ucla run defene with average