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Inside linebackers coach Paul Tidwell called it a "neat stat" today when coaches of the defense and defensive players met the media after BYU football practice.
The Cougars have yet to give up a point in the fourth quarter in their first two games of the 2015 season.
"We mentioned that to our players, and I kinda emphasized it to our linebackers group," Tidwell said. "That is something we can really build on, and try to build a culture on being really, really tough at the end of games when we need to be, and shut people down. … That is a neat stat, to not be scored on in the fourth quarter of the last two games."
That run will be tested Saturday, as BYU (2-0) travels to the Rose Bowl to take on No. 10 UCLA (2-0) at 8:30 p.m. MDT. The game will be televised by Fox Sports 1.
Tidwell described UCLA's offense as a "spread-type" attack that is as potent as anything the Cougars have seen, perhaps more so.
"They've got a good run game. They are not real complex with their run game. They have three or four runs that they are very good at. They execute them very well. We think their running back [Paul Perkins] is probably their best player. He is really good. Shifty, quick, and they use him a lot out of the backfield. He catches a lot of passes. He is their second-leading receiver. So we anticipate their quarterback using check downs to get the ball to Perkins on flare routes.
They've got a couple really good receivers. So we anticipate a passing game. That's what we are hoping for. We want to stop the run and put them in third down and get our nickel defense out there. They are good. They are quick, they are fast. They've got good size and good speed."
BYU's defensive coaches believe UCLA will spread the ball all over the field with freshman quarterback Josh Rosen, who will be making his third career start.
"Their first two passes in their first two games were deep balls. So I think they are going to take shots. I don't think he is afraid to throw it deep. They've got a good little pop pass where they run the seam and get the ball out there. Yeah, I think the flare route and the screens and the short check-down routes will help him get in a groove, but he also has a good arm and he's not afraid to throw it downfield."
UCLA runs an uptempo attack much like BYU so Tidwell says he and outside linebackers coach Kelly Poppinga will have to use a lot of linebackers to keep guys fresh.
"The insider 'backers, I really like what Harvey [Langi] is doing in the blitz game, the pressure game. I think he's a force. He's got to get more experience in pass coverage and do some things there. But I am pleased with him.
Manoa [Pikula] is steady. A senior that has experience. I think he executes well. We want him to keep improving. Want him to keep getting better.
We are going to have to use two-deep this week with their high tempo and as fast as they run plays in and out. We are going to need guys like Teu Kautai. Jherremya [Leuta-Douyere] will play inside as well as nickel outside. And then Austin Heder will play. Those five guys will have to play a lot."
Sophomore linebacker Tyler Cook watched Saturday's 35-24 win over Boise State in street clothes, so I asked Tidwell to address Cook's situation.
"I can't comment on Tyler. it is an injury thing. It is a medical thing. I am not sure what his condition is, but he is still with the team. But he's got a medical injury," Tidwell said.
Leuta-Douyere, known as JLD to his teammates and the media, also appeared in the interview room today and said the defense is improving, but still has a long ways to go.
"I would say people are going out and trying hard. For the most part, we are pretty sound execution-wise," he said. "We have a lot to improve on.
I just think it is the hunger of our defense. Even though we are young, and we have veteran guys too, we are going out there to prove ourselves each and every game."
Why is the senior's last name hyphenated?
He went by Jherremya Leuta Leuta is his mother's last name until he was 8. When his parents got married, he added his biological father's last name: Douyere. It rhymes with blue hair, and it is French.