UCLA's defense, once a source of frustration for fans, has undergone a dramatic transformation under defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler. The Bruins, currently ranked eighth nationally and undefeated, are positioning themselves for their first College Football Playoff appearance, largely due to Hitschler's brawler mentality and exacting standards.
Hitschler, a former wrestler, has instilled a fierce approach in his unit. Reporters observing an open practice witnessed his intense coaching style firsthand, including his immediate removal of an underperforming cornerback from a drill and sharp criticism directed at the entire position group. "Come on, corners, pick your s--- up!" Hitschler was quoted as bellowing.
The results speak for themselves. UCLA's defense ranks tied for fifth nationally in scoring defense, allowing an average of 13.4 points per game, and seventh in total defense with 260.8 yards allowed per game. The Bruins' 8-0 record and 5-0 Big Ten standing are testaments to this defensive prowess, which is on track to be one of the best in the program's history.
Coach Bob Chesney attributes the defense's elevation to Hitschler's relentless pursuit of excellence. "It's the everyday standard that he holds them to and the desire to be the best," Chesney said. "Every yard out there on that field, they take personally and he particularly takes personally, and when you have that mentality it makes it for an urgent practice every single day of the week, the standards are extremely high."
The defense benefits from significant talent, including Lombardi Award semifinalist linebacker Sammy Omosigho, fellow linebacker Jalen Woods, and safety Ta’Shawn James, who has earned midseason Associated Press first-team All-American honors. A key factor in their success is their ability to dominate games by controlling possession and forcing turnovers. UCLA leads the nation with 26 turnovers forced, including 16 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries.
However, Hitschler emphasizes that there is still room for improvement, noting the team leads the league in dropped interceptions. "You know we lead the league in dropped picks?" Hitschler said. "That's part of the challenge, right, is catch the ones they throw to you, get the opportunities, stay aggressive, just keep challenging them."
The Bruins excel at preventing opponents from sustaining drives, ranking second in the Football Bowl Subdivision by limiting teams to a 26.4% conversion rate on third downs. After allowing 11 third-down conversions in the season opener, they have conceded just 17 over the subsequent seven games. The team, self-described as the "Bruin Bullies," has also tightened its scoring defense, allowing an average of only seven points over the last five games, including their first shutout since 2015 last week.
This Saturday, UCLA's defense will face a Minnesota offense that struggles, averaging just 309 yards per game and a meager 99.5 rushing yards per game. Hitschler, however, maintains that constant challenges are necessary for continued success. "Your natural inclination in sports if you have success is to relax," Hitschler stated. "You know, it's hard to wake up every day whatever time these guys get up and grind at a meeting and grind at a practice, so any time you just catch it slipping, you've got to call it out and get it fixed, and hold them to the standard that they want to be held to so that they can overcome their internal nemesis and find a way to overachieve."
