Defensive front displays dominance of Stanford
While Ethan Garbers started at quarterback and Carson Steele scored three touchdowns and served as the focal point in UCLA's victory over Stanford, edge rusher Laiatu Latu and the Bruins defense continued to display their dominance.
The defense allowed just 24 rushing yards on 17 carries along with 268 passing yards and a touchdown against the Cardinal's offense.
“I thought it was a good team win out there,” UCLA coach Chip Kelly said. “We generated a pass rush and made it difficult for their of- fense with that front of ours. It's difficult to block so we kept them behind.”
Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels was sacked four times by the Bruins, improving their average to 3.43 per game and sitting tied for eighth in the country.
Latu improved his sack total to 6.5 on the season, tied for ninth nationally, after bringing down Stanford quarterback Aston Daniels for a 3-yard loss on secondand-12 late in the second quarter.
The edge rusher has 17 sacks (10.5 in 2022) as a Bruin and ties Takkarist McKinley (2014-16), Neal Dellocono (1981-84), Karl Morgan (1979-82), Martin Moss (1978-81) and Manu Tuiasosopo (1975-78) for 13th on the program's career sacks list.
Latu needs four sacks to surpass Mark Walen (198285) to claim sole possession of 10th all-time.
The senior was named an Associated Press Midseason All-American first-team defender last Wednesday.
Defensive lineman Gabriel Murphy produced a pair of sacks on third down that forced the Cardinal to punt in the first and third quarters. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Carson Schwesinger had his first career sack as a Bruin.
Kelly spoke highly of Alex Johnson during a pregame radio show interview and mentioned that the defensive back had been playing at an “All-American level” this season.
Johnson has also received midseason honors, being named to the Pro Football Focus midseason All-American first team. He currently leads the Pac12 Conference with three interceptions.
While he didn't improve his total Saturday night, he did finish among the Bruins' tackling leaders with five. He also blocked Aidan Flintoft's 20-yard punt in the third quarter.
“It was there all night,” Johnson said. “It was almost perfection. It should've been a clean block for a touchdown but we will take what we can get.”
Stanford was unsuccessful on all four fourth-down attempts against the Bruins. Cornerback Devin Kirkwood was responsible for one of those stops, forcing receiver Elic Ayomanor to fumble the ball after a 15yard completion on fourthand-5. Linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo recovered the ball for the Bruins. It was his second recovery this season.
“I think our effort is consistent,” Johnson said. “If our effort is as consistent as it's been then I think that will be the showcase that you see week in and week out.”