UCLA Football: What the Bruins Can Do to Slow Down Explosive Sun Devils Offense

In a huge Pac-12 South showdown, Jim Mora and the No. 10 UCLA Bruins football team (3-0) will be tasked with trying to slow down the explosive offense of Todd Graham and the No. 12 Arizona State Sun Devils (3-0) on Thursday night. 

ASU averages 47.0 points per game—good for seventh-best in the entire nation. While the first three games weren't against overly tough competition (Weber State, New Mexico, Colorado), the Bruins have their hands full with the likes of Jaelen Strong, D.J. Foster and others. 

It will be fascinating to see how reserve quarterback Mike Bercovici does in place of the injured Taylor Kelly. Conventional wisdom suggests UCLA will come after the backup signal-caller with pressure early and often. 

Here are three keys to aid in the Bruins' task of keeping the Sun Devils offense in check.  

Prevent the Big Play

Associated Press

Wide receiver Jaelen Strong

Playing on the road against a good Pac-12 team is never an easy feat. Momentum is an incredibly vital component of any big game.  

Thursday night figures to be a raucous atmosphere at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. A blackout will take place for the fans in attendance. The ramifications of the contest are also immense. The winner of this game has gone on to win the Pac-12 South the past two seasons. 

UCLA will look to keep the crowd quiet, while the Sun Devils hope the carnival-like feel will propel them to victory. 

Offensive coordinator Mike Norvell is adept at creating big plays within his offense. The pairing of running back D.J. Foster and wide receiver Jaelen Strong is as good as one will find in the conference. 

Foster averages more than nine yards per carry. Strong is the leading receiver on the team with 266 total receiving yards and a 14.0 yards-per-catch average. 

UCLA has to minimize the effectiveness of both but, most importantly, limit the big plays. Jeff Ulbrich's defense has to be sound across the board. This involves constant communication, making the correct reads and tackling well in space. 

Blitz Bercovici

Associated Press

Quarterback Mike Bercovici

Ulbrich hasn't been overly adventurous when it comes to dialing up pressure through the first three games. 

Whether this stems from being overly conservative or even holding things back a bit, it's very curious. Against a reserve signal-caller with limited experience in Mike Bercovici, Ulbrich needs to up the pressure considerably. 

It would make sense to try and confuse the Sun Devils' new quarterback with unconventional looks—utilizing stunts from within the defense line or blitzes from safeties and corners. 

The threat of the zone read is also absent with the injury to starting quarterback Taylor Kelly. While semi-mobile, Bercovici isn't near the threat running the football when compared to his injured teammate.

UCLA needs to take advantage and make "Berco" uncomfortable in the pocket. Bercovici does have a good arm. If he's afforded time to sit in the pocket and make throws with little resistance, the Bruins will be in trouble. 

Ulbrich hasn't yet demonstrated the ability to get after the quarterback. Simply put, another vanilla game plan might prove to be costly. 

Contain D.J. Foster

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Running back D.J. Foster

Foster could be the most dynamic player in the entire conference not named Marcus Mariota. 

Through three games, the Scottsdale native has rushed for an eye-popping 9.4 yards per carry average. Foster ranks within the top 10 in terms of total rushing yards (510) nationally. He's also caught 11 passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns. 

Foster is a nightmare to defend against. ASU does a tremendous job of lining him up all over the field. UCLA has to be cognizant at all times of where he is. His ability out of the backfield to catch the ball also makes him very deadly in the screen game. 

UCLA has to contain Foster—not only in terms of his production—but also in the sense of not overpursuing. The defensive line and linebackers need to stay disciplined and not allow Foster to exploit a momentary lapse in coverage.

In many ways, Foster is the straw that stirs the Sun Devils' drink. If he has a big game, Arizona State will likely win the contest. 

Here are Mora's thoughts on ASU's talented running back, per a video by Ryan Kartje of the Orange County Register: "D.J. Foster is a special player. We saw him when he was at Saguaro High School. He's unique...a really good runner but great receiver as well."