ESPN interviews UCLA DC

[UOducksTK1]

http://espn.go.com/blog/pac10/post/_/id ... k-bullough

It appears you won't be facing Oregon's starting quarterback, Jeremiah Masoli, on Saturday. How do things change for you with backup Nate Costa starting? What do you know about him?

CB: He hasn't started a game, so you kind of don't have a feel for him going into a game. He's had a couple of games where he's come in and taken some reps. But the head coach [Chip Kelly], this is his system. He's not going to change his system. He may do some things differently like they did when [former Ducks quarterback Dennis Dixon] was out two years ago -- some little things different -- but basically he kept his scheme the same. You don't want to change your whole philosophy on one injury. You've got to plan for somebody getting injured. So we'll just plan for him and then we'll see how the game progresses -- what are they doing with him that is different than what they were doing with Masoli? If that's even the case.

What's different for the Oregon offense from the early season, when they struggled, to the past three games, when they've played well?

CB: Well, they had that one game at Boise State. Boise looked like they came out to play. Not that Oregon didn't but just that watching film, Boise State really came out and played hard. But since then, [Oregon] has been on a roll. They seem like they've gotten into their groove. They looked out of their groove at Boise State but regrouped. Now they are 13th in the country. They've regained their momentum.

True or false: Oregon tight end Ed Dickson is a handful?

CB: Yes. He is tough.

How do you contain him?

CB: We've talked to coaches who have played against him and that's the one they say is tough. You've just got to make sure you don't get matchup problems with him. You've got to match the proper people on him. You've always got to be aware of where he is, because obviously he is a great tight end. You stress to the players where he is and what his strengths are and what his weaknesses are and all that good stuff. And then you've just got to play.

[dthomas=ddixon]

That's awesome about Big Ed. Obviously we know & talk about how good he is but to hear it from an opposing coach that's worried about playing against him? That's pretty sweet to hear.