University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Defensive Coordinator D'Anton Lynn
Photo by: UCLA Athletics
Coach D'Anton Lynn Is Broyles Award Nominee
November 15, 2023 | Football
The Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation announced on Wednesday that UCLA defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynnย is a nominee for the 2023 Broyles Award which honors college football's top assistant coaches.
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Coach Lynn is one of 57 nominees in this year's classย selected from approximately 1,500 assistant coaches representing all of the FBS college football programs from across the nation. The Broyles Award selection process includes the Football Writers of America (FWAA), broadcasters, a college football hall-of-fame selection committee, and current college football head coaches.
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Coach Lynn's UCLA unitย ranks first in the nation in rushing defense (70.8 yards per game), yards per rush allowed (2.32) and is second nationally in rushing touchdowns allowed (two). Opponents are averaging 16.4 points per game (first in the Pac-12) against the Bruins which would be the lowest school average since the 1991 squad gave up 15.8 points per contest. UCLA has held eight of its 10 opponents to date to less than 20 points. Opponents are averaging just 289.9 yards pre game against the Bruin defense which is the 10th-best mark in the country.
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UCLA opponents are averaging 4.39 yards per play which is the seventh-stingiest mark in the nation. The Bruins are tied for fourth in the nation in sacks (36), just three off the lead. The defense has given up 15 touchdowns on the year which rates first in the Pac-12 and is tied for fourth in the nation. Opponents have scored multiple touchdowns in just three games this season and scored 15 TDs on 124 total drives. The team totals of 84 tackles for loss and 36 sacks are the most by a Bruin team since the 2012 season. The Bruins were credited with 11 tackles for loss in games against Utah and Arizona this season which is the most since a 2011 contest against Illinois (also 11).
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Individually, defensive endย Laiatu Latu leads the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.8) and is fourth nationally in sacks per game (1.10). He is the first Bruin since Anthony Barr (2012-13) to record over 20 sacks in a two-season period. Nickel back Alex Johnson leads the Pac-12 in interceptions and ranks among the top-10 in the nation with his four thefts.
The Broyles Award was created in 1996 recognizing Coach Frank Broyles' legacy of selecting and developing great assistants during his hall of fame career as head coach at Arkansas. ย A 43-member selection committee of distinguished former head coaches, broadcasters and a committee representing the FWAA will select 15 semi-finalists on Nov. 22, five finalists from the list of nominees, and then an overall winner. Proceeds from the 2023 Broyles Award support the Broyles Foundation's mission to provide a game plan for Alzheimer's caregivers through education, support, and resources.
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Coach Lynn is one of 57 nominees in this year's classย selected from approximately 1,500 assistant coaches representing all of the FBS college football programs from across the nation. The Broyles Award selection process includes the Football Writers of America (FWAA), broadcasters, a college football hall-of-fame selection committee, and current college football head coaches.
ย
Coach Lynn's UCLA unitย ranks first in the nation in rushing defense (70.8 yards per game), yards per rush allowed (2.32) and is second nationally in rushing touchdowns allowed (two). Opponents are averaging 16.4 points per game (first in the Pac-12) against the Bruins which would be the lowest school average since the 1991 squad gave up 15.8 points per contest. UCLA has held eight of its 10 opponents to date to less than 20 points. Opponents are averaging just 289.9 yards pre game against the Bruin defense which is the 10th-best mark in the country.
ย
UCLA opponents are averaging 4.39 yards per play which is the seventh-stingiest mark in the nation. The Bruins are tied for fourth in the nation in sacks (36), just three off the lead. The defense has given up 15 touchdowns on the year which rates first in the Pac-12 and is tied for fourth in the nation. Opponents have scored multiple touchdowns in just three games this season and scored 15 TDs on 124 total drives. The team totals of 84 tackles for loss and 36 sacks are the most by a Bruin team since the 2012 season. The Bruins were credited with 11 tackles for loss in games against Utah and Arizona this season which is the most since a 2011 contest against Illinois (also 11).
ย
Individually, defensive endย Laiatu Latu leads the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.8) and is fourth nationally in sacks per game (1.10). He is the first Bruin since Anthony Barr (2012-13) to record over 20 sacks in a two-season period. Nickel back Alex Johnson leads the Pac-12 in interceptions and ranks among the top-10 in the nation with his four thefts.
The Broyles Award was created in 1996 recognizing Coach Frank Broyles' legacy of selecting and developing great assistants during his hall of fame career as head coach at Arkansas. ย A 43-member selection committee of distinguished former head coaches, broadcasters and a committee representing the FWAA will select 15 semi-finalists on Nov. 22, five finalists from the list of nominees, and then an overall winner. Proceeds from the 2023 Broyles Award support the Broyles Foundation's mission to provide a game plan for Alzheimer's caregivers through education, support, and resources.
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