First-year UCLA defensive coordinator has guided unit that lost seven starters – including first-round NFL draft pick Laiatu Latu – from 2023 team … Bruins currently have nation’s seventh best rushing defense, allowing 100.6 ground yards per game … UCLA has intercepted 10 passes to rank 35th overall; among interceptions are pick-sixes by DB Bryan Addison and LB Kain Medrano … in Nov. 8 win against Iowa, Bruins held Hawkeyes to 265 total yards and just 80 rushing yards; Iowa entered game 10th nationally and Big Ten Conference leader with rushing-yards-per-game average of 222.3 … UCLA allowed 73.8 total yards per game fewer in Games 6-10 compared to Games 1-5; latter stretch included sub-300-yard performances against Minnesota (Oct. 12) and Iowa … defense has been led on field by LB Carson Schwesinger, a former walk-on who leads FBS in solo tackles per game (6.9) and Big Ten in total tackles (109), total tackles per game (10.9) and double-digit tackle performances (seven) … Oluwafemi Oladejo, who made midseason switch from inside linebacker to edge spot, paces Bruins with 12 tackles for loss.
