PASADENA — Start strong.

UCLA’s coaches said it all week.

Head coach DeShaun Foster spoke on Monday about the Bruins shooting themselves in the foot early. Defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe stepped up to the fire on Tuesday, speaking about simplifying the defensive approach in order to create pressure; stopping the run and passing games.

Foster believed his defense could stop the Lobos’ early attack, saying his team was adept at stifling a movement-heavy offensive scheme like New Mexico offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner runs. Schluesner’s system succeeded in the FCS, coaching at Idaho alongside Lobos head coach Jason Eck.

“It’s good that our defense was going against us this whole training camp with a lot of movement, so they should be used to that,” Foster said Monday of New Mex

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