nypost
For years, UCLA fans cringed at the mention of defensive coordinators Jerry Azzinaro and Tom Bradley, whose units were often the Achilles' heel of the program. The Bruins' defensive struggles were a primary reason the team failed to meet expectations, and those coordinators bore the brunt of the criticism.
Now, Colin Hitschler, a former wrestler, has instilled a brawler's mentality in his defense. His fiery approach was on full display during a recent practice open to reporters, where he pulled an underperforming cornerback from a drill and delivered a pointed message to the entire position group. "Come on, corners, pick your s— up!" Hitschler bellowed. The corners appear to be responding.
UCLA's defense has been in lockdown mode for an undefeated, eighth-ranked team that is in position to make the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history. The Bruins are tied for fifth nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 13.4 points per game, and rank seventh in total defense, surrendering 260.8 yards per game. This unit is on track to be one of the best in school history.
"It's the everyday standard that he holds them to and the desire to be the best," coach Bob Chesney said of Hitschler's role. "Every yard out there on that field, they take personally and he particularly takes personally, and when you have that mentality it makes it for an urgent practice every single day of the week, the standards are extremely high."
The defense also boasts high-end talent, including Sammy Omosigho, a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award given to the nation's top linebacker, fellow star linebacker Jalen Woods, and safety TaShawn James, a midseason Associated Press first-team All-American who began the season as a second-stringer.
The Bruins have thrived by getting off the field, leading the nation with 26 turnovers forced (16 interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries). However, Hitschler sees room for improvement. "You know we lead the league in dropped picks?" he said with a wry smile. "That's part of the challenge, right, is catch the ones they throw to you, get the opportunities, stay aggressive, just keep challenging them."
Opponents rarely convert on third down against UCLA, which ranks second in the FBS by allowing a 26.4% conversion rate. After surrendering 11 third-down conversions in the season opener against California, the Bruins have allowed just 17 over the last seven games. The self-described "Bruin Bullies" have allowed an average of just seven points over the last five games and recorded their first shutout since 2015 last week.
On Saturday, UCLA's defense will face a Minnesota offense that averages just 309 yards per game (No. 130 nationally) and struggles on the ground, averaging 99.5 yards (No. 132). The Golden Gophers (5-3, 3-2) will contend with a defense that believes it has something to prove despite already achieving plenty.
"Your natural inclination in sports if you have success is to relax," Hitschler said. "You know, it's hard to wake up every day whatever time these guys get up and grind at a meeting and grind at a practice, so any time you just catch it slipping, you've got to call it out and get it fixed, and hold them to the standard that they want to be held to so that they can overcome their internal nemesis and find a way to overachieve."
Key Analysis
Hitschler's demanding approach has reshaped UCLA's defensive identity, turning a once-maligned unit into a dominant force. The Bruins' ability to force turnovers and stifle opponents on third down has been instrumental in their undefeated run. With a favorable matchup against a struggling Minnesota offense, UCLA's defense has a chance to further solidify its reputation as one of the nation's elite units and keep the team's playoff hopes alive.
Originally reported by nypost.