Even the best-laid plans are subject to the whim of UCLA sophomore linebacker Akeem Ayers.
Stanford went with a safe-and-sane pass to receiver Chris Owusu, who was wrapped up by cornerback Alterraun Verner for a short gain. But Ayers swooped in from the left, knocked the ball free and recovered the fumble.
Then there is the to-Ayers-is-human side. UCLA had San Diego State stopped on the seven-yard line when a third-down pass fell incomplete. Except that Ayers grabbed a chunk of jersey on the play, giving the Aztecs a second shot, which produced a touchdown.
Such growing pains are easy to endure.
"You look at Akeem, and he may not always be in the right spot, but he finds a way to get his hands on the ball," senior linebacker Reggie Carter said. "That's great because you can teach scheme, but you can't teach that ability."
So though Ayers might sometimes cause discomfort for defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough, he can be even more painful for opponents.
"I don't know if he is a finished product yet, but you know what, some of that is why he's good," Coach Rick Neuheisel said. "There is constantly the effort to keep him disciplined and playing within the defense, but we also benefit from some of that instinct he carries with him."
Such instinct could serve the Bruins well this week.
Oregon, with its sleight-of-hand spread offense, comes to the Rose Bowl on Saturday, meaning, "You have to get on your toes and stay on your toes," free safety Rahim Moore said. "And you have to tackle."
It puts Ayers in his element.
A year ago, Ayers made his second career start against the Ducks. He finished with six tackles, including a sack, chasing down Jeremiah Masoli, Oregon's nimble quarterback, from behind.
"I just watched the film of that game," Carter said. "On the sack, Akeem fell down, got up and still caught Masoli.
"Game time comes, your street ball instincts can take over. You want to just follow the ball. He may not always follow the guide because he wants to be around the ball."
That has always been Ayers' way, pulling off such ad-libs by tapping into his raw skills. He has the size of a defensive end (6 feet 4, 252 pounds) and the speed of a receiver (he averaged nearly 20 yards per catch and scored nine touchdowns as a senior at Verbum Dei High).
