UCLA Football: Bruins Vet Details Team's Prep For Several QB Possibilities Vs USC
After a tough loss on Saturday to Arizona State, UCLA safety Alex Johnson has one thing on his mind ahead of one of the biggest rivalry games in College Football as the Bruins will travel to their cross-town rival, the USC Trojans.
Performing with a clean slate is the message Johnson has this weekend.
“Why not be a clean slate, we’ve got nothing to lose, we’ve got nothing to hold back. Just go into next week and let it all hangout, just let loose,”.
Johnson, a red shirt senior from Carson CA. is having a career year for the Bruins as he leads the Pac-12 in interceptions (four). He also has a total of three pass breakups and 24 tackles on the year.
Coming into this weekend's game, UCLA and USC both find themselves in similar situations as they are both playing for pride against one another.
Both the Bruins (6-4, 3-4) and the Trojans (7-4, 5-3) are ineligible to play for the Pac-12 title as they are both mathematically eliminated from representing the south division in the conference championship.
It's no secret that the 2023 season has been a disappointment for both teams as UCLA was looked as a potential candidate to take the Pac-12 South this year and USC has aspirations to win the National Championship. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse for both teams.
USC's defense has not played well this year which resulted in the termination of former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch from the program.
For the Bruins, head coach Chip Kelly is now on the hot seat as his offense has underperformed all year long.
Nonetheless, Johnson and the Bruins will have quite the handful ahead of them on Saturday as they will go up against reigning Heisman trophy winner, Caleb Williams.
When asked how to stop Williams, Johnson said the key to that is, studying a lot of film.
"A lot of film study, asking a lot of questions, seeing what my coaches are seeing, communicating with our linebackers and other DB's," Said Johnson. "Just making sure we're all on the same page and go out and make plays and get stops."
Kickoff is set to begin at 1:30 PM PT. Live coverage will be broadcast on ABC.
Don't forget to join our community at LA Sports Report, where we celebrate all things Bruins!
