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Like so many pregame speeches that appear on social media after a big victory, UCLA coach Bob Chesney’s “Burn the f—ing boats!” moment in an Autzen Stadium tunnel was a masterclass in motivation.
While it also makes one wonder how much footage remains on the cutting-room floor after losses, the Bruins haven’t been confronted with that issue.
They’re 5-0.
Amid the best start by a new coach in school history, Chesney must now guide his 12th-ranked team into unfamiliar waters as it fully commences the Ty Dieffenbach era.
After helping UCLA hold off Oregon in relieft last weekend – eliminating the need to get back into those boats – Dieffenbach is expected to make his first start Saturday afternoon against Wisconsin (4-1) at the Rose Bowl.
With Nico Iamaleava expected to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, this is Dieffenbach’s team now unless the Bruins turn to Madden Iamaleava.
Dieffenbach will face a Badgers defense that gives up only 152.6 yards per game, ranking No. 9 in the country. That poses a serious question on offense, but is far from the only one UCLA must answer.
Here are five things to watch in a game scheduled to kick off at 4:30 p.m. PDT on NBC:
Throwing a changeup?
The big question facing a team turning to a backup quarterback: Do you change your identity?
Run the ball more? Throw safer, shorter passes?
In the case of the Bruins, the answer seems to be not necessarily.
Dieffenbach showed his abiity to throw the ball on his first play last weekend when he zipped a long pass into the end zone that wide receiver Brian Rowe Jr. should have caught. He later threw a 9-yard touchdown pass that gave UCLA the decisive points for the road win.
Besides the matter of who’s playing quarterback, Chesney said his team must also consider game situations and defensive alignments.
“We don’t look and say, ‘Hey, this guy’s coming in, let’s make it 70-30 [run-pass],’ Chesney said. “‘Hey, this guy is coming in. Let’s make 60-40.’ You know, the game’s gotta still be played between those 11 guys on the field and we’ve gotta be able to match up with whatever we’re getting defensively.”
Groundhog day on the ground for Bruins
Something Dieffenbach will rely on heavily is one of the nation’s best rushing attacks.
UCLA leads the Big Ten in rushing yards per game (253.2) and rushing touchdowns (19) thanks to a three-back attack led by Wayne Knight, who has rushed for 100-plus yards in three straight games.
The school is starting to tout its top offensive player for the top award in college football, adding the hashtag “#HeismanKnight” to its game notes.
He’s a worthy midseason candiate considering he leads the nation with 13.2 points per game and ranks fourth in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 11 touchdowns. Knight’s 157.80 all-purpose yards per game lead the Big Ten.
Take it away
The ball has been bouncing UCLA’s way a lot this season.
The Bruins are tied for the FBS lead with New Mexico after forcing 19 turnovers through their first five games. Amazingly, the next-closest team is Alabama with 14 takeaways.
While UCLA defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler said the coaching staff hasn’t changed its approach from last season at James Madison, the results are certainly on another level.
“They’re just falling in our hands, we’re catching the ones they throw to us, we’re scooping the balls when they’re on the ground,” Hitschler said of his team’s success taking the ball away.
What’s most important is the process leading to the turnovers.
“Keep working at it, talk about it, be intentional about the ball when it’s loose and when it’s in someone’s hand, attack it,” Hitschler said. “Stay aggressive, attack it and let’s find a way to get the ball.”
Badgers QB a familiar face
Chesney’s staff has plenty of familiarity with Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph.
Last season, Joseph was the Sun Belt Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year while at Old Dominion. After throwing for three touchdowns in the first half against James Madison, he had the Monarchs in position for an upset before the Dukes pulled away.
“He kicked our butt last year in the first half – found a way to be explosive with the ball in his hands and obviously hit some deep balls and has done the same thing this year,” Hitschler said. “Not surprised at all to see his success with the program he’s at.”
A dual-threat quarterback, Joseph has completed 58% of his passes for 1,132 yards with 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in his first season with the Badgers. He’s also rushed for 262 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
Slowing him down will be key for the Bruins on Saturday.
UCLA Injury report
UCLA’s secondary could be short-handed on Saturday.
After returning from an extended injury absence to play against Oregon, safety Tao Johnson is out again. Cornerbacks Rodrick Pleasant and CJ Lavender are listed as questionable.
That may pose a problem against Joseph and Wisconsin’s passing game.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin will be without cornerback Cai Bates, who has been limited to two games this season by injuries. Badgers running back Nate Palmer, who has nine carries for 26 yards this season, is also listed as doubtful.