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Missing: The UCLA Football Run Defense

By Ashley Tellier

October 22, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Utah Utes running back Joe Williams (28) runs the ball against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 22, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; Utah Utes running back Joe Williams (28) runs the ball against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Football defense had many positives and negatives against Utah. The biggest concern after the last home game was the run defense.

No one said it would be easy. The Utah Utes were coming to the Rose Bowl as the 19th-ranked team in the country. Yet, the UCLA Football team was favored to win. This made sense when you consider Utah had several key injuries in essentially every position.

Related Story: UCLA vs. Utah: The Injuries Are a Bit Ridiculous

Utah’s injuries were particularly more concerning at running back. Just two weeks ago, the Utes had so many injured players they were likely going to start their sixth-string running back against Oregon State. Instead, Utah called a player out of retirement.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Utah senior Joe Williams came out of a month-long retirement to play with the Utes. Williams announced his retirement in early September when he felt his body just couldn’t compete at a higher level anymore. Well, that certainly fooled UCLA’s Defensive Coordinator Tom Bradley.

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Against the Bruins, on his second game out of retirement, Williams had quite a day. The senior rushed for a school-record 332 yards and four touchdowns in 29 carries. Every time Williams had the ball, he was able to do pretty much whatever he wanted against the UCLA run defense.

Admittedly, the defense was not entirely to blame. The Bruins seemed to only be able to score in quick drives, leaving the UCLA defense on the field for over 35 minutes. UCLA also had 5 turnovers, all thanks to redshirt senior quarterback Mike Fafaul, bringing the defense back on to the field often with little to no rest.

But even with the extended playing time, tiredness alone does not account for all the defensive miscues. Utah limited Williams because the player missed a month of conditioning. And still, he was given plenty of time to run yesterday, posting over 300 yards.

Bradley’s run defense had allowed less than 100 rushing yards in each of the previous two games. It had shown it could prepare for a (then) Heisman candidate running back and a mobile quarterback. But yesterday, the UCLA run defense also showed it could be completely run over.

Next: Fafaul Breaks School Records, Is This Good or Bad for the Offense?

After the game, Bradley stated he was disappointed. Well, he wasn’t the only one. After all of UCLA’s miscues this season, it is painful to see something else can be added to the list. Hopefully, Bradley will use the bye week wisely as the Bruins prepare for a tough matchup on the road against the Colorado Buffaloes.