WATCH: UCLA DL Jacob Busic reflects on upset win over Penn State
Jacob Busic played an important role in UCLA’s 42-37 win over then-No. 7 Penn State on Saturday. The redshirt senior defensive lineman led the Bruins with two tackles for loss and a sack against the Nittany Lions.
The UCLA defense has been under plenty of scrutiny this season. It was a different story Saturday as the group came up when the team needed it most late against Penn State. A late stop was key in the victory.
Busic took some time to bring down Penn State quarterback Drew Allar on his sack, and Tuesday he poked fun at himself for the play.
“First of all, I want to apologize for my sack,” Busic said. “I didn’t get him down the first time. Took me a little bit. He’s a big guy, but no, I was put in a position to make the play.
“… I was straining. My feet were running, and then my feet weren’t running. And I was like, I was kind of looking up at him as I’m trying to bring him down. I see him winding back. I’m like, please don’t throw it. Please don’t throw it. So I had to start my feet again and yeah, like you said, just straining.”
Penn State win proved recent changes made an impact
The victory over Penn State provided the Bruins with a positive moment in what has been a frustrating season. There have been a number of changes on the coaching staff. That includes Busic losing coordinator Ikaika Malloe.
UCLA getting over the hump is something Busic could see coming together despite the losses and changes.
“We’re just one play away here, one play away there,” he said. “And we just knew that, if we could just hone in on the little details and bring that all together. I think, when you’re playing Penn State, like I said earlier, you got to really, really be on the P’s and Q’s. Yeah, just locking in, just straining every day, getting better every day, and just knowing we get what we have in the building.
“When coach (Kevin) Colye came in, coach Skip (Tim Skipper) took over, you know, the transition was so smooth. I mean, it wasn’t any like, I don’t like this. I don’t like that. I liked it the old way. I like it the new way. You know, it’s more just, this is the situation that we’re in, let’s make the most of it.”
Jacob Busic post-practice media session (10/7)
Video recorded by BruinBlitz staff writer Tracy McDannald.
