UCLA coach resets focus ahead of Minnesota game

UCLA head coach Bob Chesney told his players to forget their undefeated record during a Tuesday morning practice session.

The team is preparing to travel to Minnesota for a Saturday game. Chesney addressed the squad during the stretching period. He asked how the team would handle the challenge ahead. He stated that an 8-0 record is in the past.

The message carried over into live drills. Quarterback Ty Dieffenbach threw a 35-yard pass to senior wide receiver Aidan Mizell. Mizell caught the ball with one hand for a touchdown. He caught it over defender Scooter Jackson. The play served as the main focus of the morning's work.

Chesney said the team understood the current situation. He noted that the score at halftime is one of the two most meaningless statistics in college football. He said a team's record going into November is the other meaningless stat. He emphasized that November is when the season truly matters. He described the players as locked in and playing a physical style of football.

UCLA enters the game as the No. 2 ranked team in turnover margin. The Bruins are 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the Big Ten Conference. Minnesota is 5-3 overall and 3-2 in conference play. The Gophers rank 21st in turnover margin.

Minnesota has forced eight interceptions and recovered six fumbles. UCLA leads the nation with 10 recoveries. Linebacker Sammy Omosigho leads the country with five forced fumbles. He also has 62 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks in eight games.

The Gophers feature linebacker Maverick Baranowski. The 6-foot-2 fifth-year senior leads Minnesota with 62 tackles. He also has 3.5 tackles for loss, one interception, one sack, and two pass breakups. Chesney praised Baranowski's downhill play and reaction time. He called the player a warrior who tackles everyone he sees.

UCLA must also stop a run game led by junior TJ Thomas and senior Darius Taylor. Thomas averages 6 yards per carry. Taylor has rushed for five touchdowns. Senior offensive lineman Greg Johnson powers the line. He was on the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy.

Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey completed 20 of 37 passes for 120 yards and one touchdown last week. The Gophers lost that game 23-16 to Indiana in overtime. Chesney said Lindsey can throw the ball to any spot on the field. He described the speed of the ball arriving at the receiver's chest as amazing.

Chesney analyzed the offensive strategy of Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck and coordinator Greg Harbaugh Jr. He said the offense relies on out and up routes. They use four-by-one sets and backside slants. They run inside zone and mid-zone runs from under center. They also throw deep shots of 60 to 70 yards. Chesney said the team must practice mental, physical, and emotional toughness to handle the upcoming game.