LOS ANGELES — If Colin Hitschler had his way, the UCLA football team’s season opener against Cal would kickoff immediately. Literally, this instant.
Read more San Jose State at No. 14 USC football: Who has the edge in the season opener?
“Ah shoot, I’ll play them right now,” the defensive coordinator said. “Line them up in the parking lot. Let’s go.”
Hitschler doesn’t need the 60,000-plus jeering fans at Cal Memorial Stadium to signify the start of the Bruins’ season. No matter the venue, he’s confident his defense is both ready to play and has the personnel to intimidate any offense.
Head coach Bob Chesney confirmed Hitschler has every reason for that mindset emphasizing that the defense has been “flying around,” and praising their preparedness.
“The amount of work they put in,” Chesney said following Friday’s practice, “I think they do it at a pretty elite level. … We feel pretty confident that they understand exactly what their responsibilities are.”
UCLA’s defense has been executing in practice and doing it in a loud manner. Tight end Josh Phifer confirmed the defensive players chirp after winning any period. Defensive back Rodrick Pleasant has been blanketing receivers in man-to-man coverage, and laid a hit on a receiver during UCLA’s 11-on-11 period on Friday. Defensive tackle Tyson Ford explained how all 11 players are “contributing” to Hitschler’s aggressive approach and gameplan.
Surprisingly, like Hitschler, a true freshman in UCLA’s defense could also be ready to play against Cal right now. CJ Lavender has received frequent praise throughout training camp, and could have a significant role starting in Week 1.
“Man, it’s fun to watch him on a day-in, day-out process,” Hitschler said Tuesday. “The grind is never too much for him. You know, a lot of freshmen tend to hit walls at some point, but he breaks through every one of them, and continues to make plays.”
With the state of the defense, adding linebacker Trent Hendrick is almost a luxury. Hendrick, though, might disagree with Hitschler regarding the timeline of when he would want to play Cal as he continues to re-acclimate to playing college football, and learn the new aspects of Hitschler’s scheme. But Hendrick has appeared in the 11-on-11 periods for the past two days as he progresses to fulfill Chesney’s prophecy that he would “100%” be ready to play Cal on Sept. 5 – just 12 days after he arrived in Westwood.
Read more USC football focused for season opener against fearless San Jose State
“He’s doing a great job,” Chesney said of Hendrick on Friday. “The scheme has changed. … But I think he’s got a general idea of what exactly – and where – he’s fitting. There’s a lot of different things that we’re still looking at.”
For UCLA’s defense, maintaining this level of intensity and production is easier said than done, especially when you’re practicing against the same offense every day.
“We’re ready to hit someone else,” Hitschler said. “We’re tired of playing against our own offense and having to deal with (quarterback) Nico (Iamaleava) everyday.”
Another player who could be thankful for the eight days remaining between now and the opener is center Riley Robell. Robell, though, returned to the 11-on-11 periods on Friday.
He’s been managing a knee injury, but his experience in offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy’s scheme allowed UCLA to take a cautious approach to his recovery. Still, his participation in practice leaves the Bruins with a healthy runway for their center to build cohesion with his new teammate, quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
Despite his eagerness, Hitschler conceded that each practice period until the gameday walkthrough is important for “whatever you can enhance to give yourself that inch, that advantage.”
But make no mistake, he, Chesney and this UCLA defense could go if the whistle blew.
Read more Trent Mosley’s breakout USC football debut no surprise to Lincoln Riley
“Like anybody, you want to go put on pads and play somebody else,” Chesney said.