Indiana football: Prepping for new-look UCLA wasn’t an easy task

BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football didn’t have much film to go on as it prepared for its Big Ten opener this week. 

That leaves plenty of unknowns as the Hoosiers head into the Rose Bowl on Saturday afternoon to face a UCLA team led by first-year head coach DeShaun Foster and a pair of new coordinators.  

The Bruins had a bye week after beating Hawaii, 16-13, in their season-opener. 

“I’m sure that coming off their opener they were happy they won but probably not pleased with the way they played overall,” IU coach Curt Cignetti said. “They did go in shorthanded, minus two offensive tackles, but good program like that, I’m sure they have something to prove.”

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UCLA’s new defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe keeping same scheme

UCLA promoted linebackers coach Ikaika Malloe to defensive coordinator in January. He’s the program’s fourth defensive coordinator in as many years and replaces D’Anton Lynn, who left for USC. Malloe told reporters during spring practice he planned to keep the same scheme as Lynn used.

The Bruins had the 10th ranked defense in the country last year (301.5 yards allowed per game), but lost some key personnel including defensive end Laiatu Latu and linebacker Darius Muasau.

“The package is the same with some tweaks,” Cignetti said. “Little more pressure perhaps.”

He expanded on that scouting report during his weekly coach’s show. 

“There’s some new stuff showing up,” Cignetti said. “I’ve never gone against a team that’s lined up one d-lineman and five linebackers and five defensive backs, or two d-lineman, four linebackers and five defensive backs, couple different 3-3 groupings.” 

The film of UCLA’s opener wasn’t much use to IU’s offensive staff since Hawaii ran a spread offense that relied almost exclusively on four-receiver sets and didn’t play a tight end. The Hoosiers mostly play 11 personnel with tight end Zach Horton on the field for much of the game. 

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UCLA’s new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy brings pro style attack to Pasadena 

UCLA’s new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy isn’t lacking experience, but he’s spent much of his career in the pros. He’s coming off a brief stint as the Washington Commanders offensive coordinator. 

“We actually watched stuff of the Commanders in our cut-ups since UCLA only played their one game against Hawaii,” Indiana defensive end Mikail Kamara said.

The Bruins had what IU defensive coordinator Bryant Haines described as a “disjointed” effort in the opener. 

“It’s hard off of one game, I’m looking at what appears to be an NFL-style offense that seems a little bit disjointed at times, but has some real playmakers, some real speed on the perimeter, some talented running backs and a gun-slinger type of quarterback (Ethan Garbers),” Haines said. “…A talented offense that hasn’t quite figured out what they want their identity to be.”

UCLA had 343 total yards of offense in the opener, but most of that production (259 yards) came in the second half. They turned it over twice (a pair of interceptions), ran for only 70 yards and was 4 of 13 on third down.  Cignetti was quick to note that the Bruins played much of the game without both their starting tackles — Garrett DiGiorgio and Reuben Unije — who he expects will be back in the lineup on Saturday. 

“They struggled up front,” Cignetti said. 

Indiana’s focus will be putting pressure on Garbers regardless of who is blocking for him. 

“He can really wing it, and he’s mobile, and he’s a very talented guy,” Cignetti said. 

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.