In Reply to: Reading between the lines (Malloe and Defense) posted by Pyperkub on September 10, 2025 at 09:49:22
Ok, so NEXT year, start simple and build, don't start complex and tear down.
"...something changed after halftime, and it was not just a whiteboard adjustment or more exuberant sideline energy – it was clarity.
The Bruins’ defensive identity, which is still developing, finally showed signs of structure, as the unit simplified its approach by narrowing the playbook. ...
...UCLA notched one sack and two tackles for loss in the second half alone, a sharp contrast from its first 90 minutes of football this season.
That shift was crucial, especially for defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe. After installing a more complex front-seven system in fall camp, the former linebacker quickly realized that the game plan limited the defense’s playmakers.
“It really came back to me,” Malloe said. “The package was just too much. Some guys that should be on the field, I couldn’t get them on the field.”
So Malloe stripped it down, returning to the basics and relying more on instincts. One of the first beneficiaries was Jones, who made his first impact play since transferring to UCLA with a quarterback takedown in the second half against UNLV."