UCLA Football Game Preview: Arizona Wildcats
By Derek Hart
Nov 2, 2013; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins linebackers Anthony Barr (11) and Jordan Zumwalt (35) during the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Rose Bowl. UCLA defeated Colorado 45-23. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
THIS WEEK’S OPPONENT:
Arizona Wildcats (6-2, 3-2 in the Pac-12 Conference)
PLACE: Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ
DATE & TIME: Saturday, November 9, 7:00 p.m.
TV: ESPN
LINE: UCLA by 1
LAST MEETING: UCLA won, 66-10
ALL-TIME SERIES: UCLA leads, 20-15-2
How this football season will ultimately be remembered at UCLA will start with this matchup.
And let’s not sugarcoat it Bruin Nation: it will be a most difficult task as the city of Tucson, AZ has been a chamber of horrors for this Bruin program.
It has been ten years since UCLA has last won there.
In an illustration of how bad playing at the University of Arizona has been, the last time the Bruins were there in 2011 they were not only whacked by a 48-12 score, they completely lost composure as several wide receivers got into a fight with some Wildcat players and were suspended.
It also marked the beginning of a very bad end for then-coach Rick Neuheisel; I was frankly surprised that he wasn’t fired by athletic director Dan Guerrero right then and there as Neuheisel lost his team as well as the game that night.
Even though times have definitely changed under Jim Mora, this U of A team that the Bruins will face has the exact same record – right down to the Pac-12 foes that they beat – and are extremely hungry for revenge after that 66-10 whipping that UCLA put on them in the Rose Bowl last year.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Arizona officials scheduled this game as their Homecoming.
The Bruins have quite a few good reasons to worry on Saturday night, the number one reason being the fact that for the second straight year, the Wildcats have the nation’s leading rusher in Ka’Deem Carey.
The defending NCAA rushing champ with over 1,900 yards last season, including a Pac-12 record 366 yards against Colorado, Carey has passed the 1,000-yard mark again this year as the junior is averaging 5.7 yards a carry with ten touchdowns.
As sure as I’m writing this, Carey will be on an NFL roster at this time next year as with his numbers, no one expects him to return as a senior, but for now, he may well provide a big headache for UCLA’s front seven.
I know what Bruin fans are thinking right now:
“If we stack the line and put eight on the box, with the defensive line we have and with Anthony Barr, Myles Jack, and Eric Kendricks as our linebackers, we’ll have a good chance to stop Carey and win!”
Yes, it’s true that Barr, Jack, Jordan Zumwalt, Cassius Marsh and the rest of UCLA’s front seven are the strength of the Bruins’ defense are will be more than up to the task of stopping the consensus All-American, but…
Arizona has a quarterback in B.J. Denker who, though he doesn’t get any style points for his throwing style, is perfectly capable of beating teams with his arm as he threw for 363 yards and four touchdowns against a USC defense that’s currently ranked first in the conference.
For the season, he’s thrown for nine scores with three interceptions.
Plus he’s the second leading rusher on the team behind Carey, he has a 54-yard run this year, and his 11 touchdowns on the ground lead U of A.
Nov 2, 2013; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins receiver Shaquelle Evans (1) carries the ball on a 36-yard reception in the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Rose Bowl. UCLA defeated Colorado 45-23. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
On defense, Arizona’s no slouch as coach Rich Rodriguez’ team has picked off 12 passes, led by Tra’Mayne Bondurant with three, and have 43 tackles for loss, led by Scooby (yes, that’s the right name; I wonder if his parents were big Scooby-Doo fans) Wright with 7.5.
Meanwhile on the UCLA side, the keys to the Bruins winning in Tucson for the first time since 2003 are threefold:
1. Avoid costly penalties as having 11 yellow flags thrown on them for 122 yards last week is completely unacceptable,
2. Avoid a slow start as if UCLA begins the game the way they did against Colorado – a weaker team than Arizona – last week, they will not be able to recover, and…
3. Keep their focus on the road – particularly their freshmen – as the Bruins will be facing perhaps the most hostile group of fans in the Pac-12 South outside of USC.
Having played at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, I’m confident that the UCLA players will be prepared for a U of A fan base that will be wanting blood as this is essentially an elimination game as far as hopes for a division title are concerned.
The winner will remain on track to play in the Pac-12 Championship game, while the loser’s dreams of a January 1 Rose Bowl will be over.
Simply put, it’s an understatement to say that much is at stake for the Bruins and the Wildcats in this match.
If UCLA can leave Arizona Stadium with a win, it will be cause for much elation and optimism going forward.