UCLA Football: Reporter Provides In-Depth Look At Ascent Of Bruins' Defense

The UCLA Bruins have seen a massive rise in their success on the field this season, mainly due to the play of their defense. The defense has become the team's identity and has carried over throughout the season.

One of the biggest reasons for the defensive improvement has been the new coordinator, D’Anton Lynn. Lynn, who came over from the NFL, has completely transformed this team. He believes in constant communication and has put belief into this program.

“I’m pretty sure I can speak for our whole defense,” redshirt senior linebacker Darius Muasau said, “when I say that we come in with a chip on our shoulder every day. We want to prove that we are the best.”

^{Per Darius Muasau via The LA Times}

The Bruins defense has been getting after the quarterback at a high rate, which has translated to them making life tough on offenses. They aren't any longer, and teams have to fear UCLA when they take them on.

“I think we all love it,” said UCLA linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo, a transfer from California who packs 250 powerful pounds onto his 6-foot-3 frame. “We want to be creatures, we don’t want to be regular humans.”

^{Per Oluwafemi Oladejo via The LA Times}

This team made a high-powered Washington State offense look average last week. It was an impressive showing from this team and showed just how good they could be.

Lynn allows the players to be themselves, which is the most significant part of everything. The guys have fully bought in and are producing very effectively on the field. 

“The most fun part,” Lynn told The Times this week in a quiet moment outside the Wasserman Football Center, “is just seeing the guys have fun. Just seeing the way they’re playing out there is awesome.”

^{Per D'Anton Lynn via The LA Times}

They continue to get better each week, and it could lead them to possibly winning the Pac-12 if they continue this way. They have all the tools to make real noise this season and must be consistent each week.

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