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UCLA football: Bruins try to foil Nick Foles

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There is little chance UCLA will be answering questions about its run defense after Saturday’s game against Arizona in Tucson. The Bruins’ pass defense, however, may get some scrutiny. The Wildcats, and quarterback Nick Foles, will certainly look it over.

After chasing -- and chasing -- some of the best running backs in the Pacific 10 Conference, the Bruins will face the conference’s hottest quarterback.

Foles, a transfer from Michigan State, has settled into offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes’ high-speed scheme. He completed 40 of 51 passes for 415 yards and three touchdowns in a 43-38 victory over Stanford on Saturday.

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“Completing 40 of 51 passing is hard to do in a seven-on-seven drill, and at times it looked like that, operating in the comfort zone of that drill,” Stanford Coach Jim Harbaugh said. “He made really sound decisions. When a receiver wasn’t open, he went to his second or third guy to keep plays alive. It was impressive.”

Foles is UCLA’s problem this week. The Bruins’ defense has been run over, and around, the last three games, allowing an average of 228 yards rushing in consecutive losses to Stanford, Oregon and California.

But it is the pass defense that will get the cardiovascular workout Saturday. UCLA currently ranks 20th in the nation against the pass, allowing 169.2 yards per game. It gave up 205 yards and three touchdowns to Cal’s Kevin Riley.

Foles has thrown for 1,097 yards and eight touchdowns in three games since taking over as the starter after Arizona’s 27-17 loss to seventh-ranked Iowa. The Wildcats (4-2 overall, 2-1 in conference play) had only 501 yards passing their first three games.

Arizona is 2-1 in Foles’ three starts, with the one loss coming on a freak play against Washington in which a pass bounced off the foot of a receiver and was intercepted and returned for a touchdown.

“He gets rid of the ball quickly so it’s hard to get pressure on him because he makes you dance to his tune,” UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel said.

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Foles did more sitting than dancing after getting beat out by Matt Scott in August. Foles broke Drew Brees’ records for passing yardage and touchdowns at Austin (Texas) Westlake High and went north to Michigan State but left after playing one game as a freshman. He ran the scout team at Arizona while Scott was the backup quarterback last season.

“Nick was a little behind, schematically,” Arizona Coach Mike Stoops said. “He was not able to be as free as he can.” In the end, Stoops said, “We based the decision more on Matt’s athleticism.”

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But Stoops claims, “We knew we’d give Nick a chance to start at some point.” After the Iowa loss, Stoops said, “We didn’t move effectively. Nick just looked more comfortable.”

Foles has been adept at running Dykes’ quick offense. The Wildcats dusted off their no-huddle offense against Stanford.

That could put some pressure on a young UCLA secondary. Cornerback Sheldon Price is a freshman, while free safety Rahim Moore and strong safety Tony Dye are sophomores. On top of that, senior cornerback Alterraun Verner, the Bruins’ best cover man, was beaten on two touchdown passes against California.

Help could come from Aaron Hester, a starter at cornerback until he broke his leg in the season opener against San Diego State. Neuheisel did not rule out Hester’s return this week.

-- Chris Foster

Chris.foster@latimes.com

Twitter.com/cfosterlatimes

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