UCLA linebacker Kain Medrano is acknowledged by the Oregon Ducks as “someone we have to take care of.”
EUGENE — UCLA lost its four most disruptive defenders from last season, but linebacker Kain Medrano has more than picked up where he left off.
Medrano leads the Bruins with 21 tackles (four for loss) with a forced fumble through the first three games and is by far the most significant front seven player No. 8 Oregon has to be aware of on Saturday night.
Medrano has been productive in each of UCLA’s game so far. He had three tackles for loss against Indiana and 18 of his 21 stops have been solo tackles.
Medrano respects the threat the Ducks’ skill players pose and knows the Bruins will need to be much better on third down, where they rank last in the country, to keep UO from lighting up the scoreboard at the Rose Bowl.
“They know how to be efficient on first and second down to get a third and manageable, third and doable position,” Medrano said. “They got wide receivers and running backs that can run the ball, catch the ball and make people miss. They’re a really good overall offense.”
UCLA’s defense employs multiple fronts and personnel groups and will make late pre-snap stems, similar to how Washington State did years ago, to challenge opposing offensive lines.
The Ducks fared well up front and did not allow any sacks against Oregon State and while some of UCLA’s overall statistics are poor thus far, Medrano’s production is on pace for a career-best for the fifth-year senior.
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