LOS ANGELES — When UCLA defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler questioned players’ focus on Wednesday, it reminded them to meet the expectations set during the Bruins’ first 8-0 start since 2005.
Hitschler’s defense leads the nation in forced turnovers and fumbles recovered, is second in interceptions, passing efficiency defense and defense on third down, and ranks seventh in total defense heading into UCLA’s 9 a.m. matchup at Minnesota on Saturday.
So when Hitschler chastised defensive back Osirus Gilbert on Wednesday morning, it carried weight.
“Everybody knows the right way to do things and the right way to train, especially in a game that is this hard,” Hitschler said. “When you’re trying to outplay your God-given ability and master techniques, it’s difficult. Your natural inclination in sports is if you have success to relax. It’s hard to wake up every day at whatever time these guys get up to grind at a meeting and grind at a practice. Anytime you catch it slipping, you have to call it out, get it fixed, and hold ’em to the standard so they can overcome their internal nemesis.”
Hitschler explains why he welcomes tough coaching on himself as well, whether from players, coach Bob Chesney, offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy, or any assistants, as UCLA looks to improve to 9-0 for the first time since 1998.
“Any job of a coach is to help you maximize your ability, and the players appreciate coaches that are holding them to a standard to make that happen,” Hitschler said. “We all go through it. They have to get hard on me when I naturally relax for something. Each week, each day, try to win the next play, and that’s what it’s about.”
Leadership by Omosigho felt on the offensive side.
Hitschler’s best overall defensive player, linebacker Sammy Omosigho, was announced Wednesday as a Lombardi Award semifinalist given to the nation’s top lineman or linebacker.
Omosigho’s impact hasn’t just been felt within Hitschler’s defense, but it has carried over to how offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy runs his side of practice.
“I see his leadership,” Kennedy said. “I think with the way he practices, he prepares us. But then you also see his leadership, and it’s not just about the defense; it’s everybody. You constantly see him talking. He’s positive, he always has a smile on his face, and he practices so damn hard it’s contagious.”
Physicality and growth on third down for UCLA’s offense
UCLA hopes to avoid the pitfalls it had against Michigan State two weeks ago at the Rose Bowl. Anthony Woods and Jaivian Thomas each fumbled in the first half against the Spartans.
Minnesota has forced 14 turnovers this season, including six fumble recoveries, and emphasizes punching the football out during games.
UCLA coach Bob Chesney said his team will be playing its most physical opponent to date. And the opposition doesn’t get tougher than facing senior fifth-year, 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker Maverick Baranowski.
Baranowski sets the tone for Minnesota’s defense with two forced fumbles, one interception, two quarterback hits, one sack, and 62 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss. Senior 6-foot-3 defensive lineman TJ Bush Jr. leads the Gophers with five sacks, seven tackles for loss, and three pass breakups.
UCLA’s offense meanwhile has struggled with converting third downs, going 6 of 16 against Michigan State and 5 of 13 against Nevada. Kennedy is addressing those inconsistencies before getting on a flight to Minneapolis.
“Some of what we talked about in the first few offensive meetings is that practice matters,” Kennedy said. “You pull up some of the games where we didn’t do well, and you pull up clips in practice, and we didn’t practice as hard. You pull up games when we did do well and go look at Tuesday and Wednesday shells; it matters. It’s proof when you come out, you execute and you practice hard, you’re going to have a good Saturday.”