Long’s New Mexico defense will look familiar

Monday, Dec. 23, 2002 | 10:11 a.m.

With his aggressive and unorthodox defensive schemes, New Mexico coach Rocky Long made a significant impression when he served as UCLA coach Bob Toledo's defensive coordinator in 1996 and '97.

Bruins fans and players thrived on the excitement that Long's defenders created with their stunts, zone blitzes and thirst for turnovers.

Now Long will be using those weapons against UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on Wednesday.

"They blitz a lot," said Bruins freshman running back Tyler Ebell. "They run a 35 defense, which is kind of weird. It's unusual. But I think we'll have success against them. We should, especially if our (offensive) line does a great job, like they've been doing all season."

After analyzing video tape of New Mexico's games, UCLA offensive coordinator Kelly Skipper said his unit -- and freshmen quarterbacks Drew Olson and Matt Moore, and redshirt frosh John Sciarra -- will be kept on its toes by the Lobos.

"The thing about Rocky is, they're coming from all over the place," Skipper said. "There's a lot of movement, a lot of blitzes. We know they'll come after us. We have some young quarterbacks and they'll test us early. We know that.

"We have to be sound in all our protection schemes."

That protection will be most important for the Bruins, Skipper said. Recognition will be a close second.

"When we do have 'sights' we have to hit them, we have to make sure we point out the right people because they move around so much," Skipper said. "I think we have a pretty good beat on them. I think we'll do fine."

"They'll bring their best game, play the best game they've ever played. They probably think we think we're the big dogs and we'll let down," Reese said. "But it isn't going to go down like that. We just have to be prepared for their best shot.

"I know they do a lot of quarterback scrambling. They'll put a lot of blockers on me with their running backs, and sometimes they put in their jumbo formation, where they put their defensive linemen in as lead blockers."

"Coming in in the fifth game and having a chance to rush for 1,000 yards is OK," Ebell said. "It's a tribute to the offensive linemen."

Ebell said he did not surprise himself with his performances.

"Not at all," he said. "I didn't feel I got a fair shot at the beginning. We had Akil (Harris) and Manuel White. They were doing a good job. They're older, they got the first shot. When I got my chance, I wanted to make something happen."

It was all about patience, according to Skipper.

"It took him a while to learn the system," Skipper said. "Then once he got in there, he literally ran with it. He's been running ever since, we just need him to finish up strong in this game. "

The players gave children a variety of team and SEGA memorabilia, and also took Polaroid pictures with them.