The UCLA Run Game Shows Up At Just The Right Time In The Win Over Texas

When Brett Hundley ran off the field of AT&T Stadium favoring his left elbow after landing awkwardly diving for a first down, the Bruin faithful collectively cringed as the our first Heisman hopeful quarterback in some time was wincing in pain. It was not good. Back-up QB Jerry Neuheisel came in to help lead the Bruins back into battle against the Texas Longhorns, but there was not much the young Neu was doing to assure fans that UCLA would be victorious. Luckily the running game showed up just in time to help.

It was obvious that the Bruins would have to rely on the run game, but in the first two Bruin games of the season, there was no run game to speak of. UCLA would have to try, along with getting some sort of passing game from Neuheisel. It did not looking promising as Neu threw swing pass after swing pass with some shaky results.

After Hundley left the game, UCLA balanced out the attack with not much to show except for a shocking 47-yard field goal from kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn. Here is what happened with Neu running the offense:

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1st Half Plays:

Rush: 10 for 16 yards

Pass: 12 for 46 yards

That kind of production, even against a struggling Texas team, was not going to do anything. UCLA tried the read option (even though Neuheisel was questionable to run if he had to keep it), a few short yardage slants and as stated before, the swing pass. It also did not help that he had three incomplete passes to finish the the first half.

It is good thing football has two halves.

The second was another story. All the pieces adding up to help eventually over come Texas, 20-17. The defense played better, which shut down the Texas offense, giving more time to the Bruin offense. The coaches opened up the play book to help Neuheisel keep the Texas D on their toes. Most importantly, the run game finally reared its dormant head.

Some might say that you need the passing game to open up the run game. For the Bruins, it seemed that the run game opened up the passing game, which we will get to. Right now, let us focus on UCLA finally getting their run game going.

The Bruins needed to step up in the second half, which is what they did. The offensive line did not do anything dumb, which was a blessing. Instead, they pushed back the Texas defensive attack and allowed the UCLA runners to do what they need to do.

Sep 13, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins tailback Paul Perkins (24) runs with the ball against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium. The Bruins beat the Longhorns 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

2nd Half Plays:

Rush: 28 for 177 yards

Pass: 18 for 112 yards

You may read that again if you do not believe it.

The UCLA run game exploded in the second half. Paul Perkins was the primary weapon for UCLA on the ground as he carried the ball 24 times for 126 yards with a long of 58, which was the first play of the second half. Not a bad way to start. The Bruins finished that drive with a passing touchdown from Neuheisel to Nate Iese, tying the game at 10. It was a good way to start the half but what was more impressive was how the running game was a big contributor to the victory.

Jordan James, albeit the second weapon in the arsenal, also had a productive night that helped the collective effort of the Bruins. James had several runs that went got the Bruins first downs when needed. He finished with a team-high 8.6 yards per carry. UCLA even mixed in the power formation that saw defensemen Myles Jack and Eddie Vanderdoes get short yards when needed.