/ STAFF WRITER
UCLA passed its first test without preseason All-American Eddie Vanderdoes on Saturday night.
In the Bruins’ victory against UNLV, Eli Ankou started in place of Vanderdoes at defensive tackle. Vanderdoes is out for the season because of a torn ACL.
Ankou filled in admirably. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound junior from Ottawa finished with five tackles, including two for a loss, and helped a defensive front hold the Rebels to less than 250 yards of offense and just 3.59 yards per play.
“I thought they looked great,” Coach Jim Mora said. “I mean, they couldn’t move the ball a lick on us.