Oregon Vs UCLA: The Bruins Position Group Report Card
So after another disappointing loss, which makes it two in a row at home, the Bruins are looking for a lot of answers before their next game. Though UCLA had some good drives in the contest, many were not completed. Some of the Bruins position groups were not bad, but for the most part, it was a missed opportunity. Here is the Bruins Position Group Report Card for UCLA in their 42-30 loss to Oregon.
Quarterbacks: C
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Brett Hundley did average, but average is not good enough to take down a top team. He was fantastic on the ground as he racked up 89 rushing yards with a touchdown as he weaved through the Oregon front line. He even did a decent job through the air as he connected 26 of 37 passes for 216 yards and 2 touchdowns, although those TDs came in the fourth quarter in the midst of a mad scramble to get back in the game. The problem overall, is that drives were not finished, especially in the first half. Hundley would lead the Bruins in a solid march, only to punt, make a field goal, miss a field goal, fumble or get intercepted. That cannot happen against elite teams.
Running Backs: B
The Bruin of the game should without a doubt be Paul Perkins. On 21 carries, Perkins achieved his career high for yards as he collected 187 on a 8.9 yards per carry performance. Like Hundley, he was able to find a lot of room through the offensive line and with that, UCLA had actually established an early running game, but as mentioned above, the inability to finish drives took UCLA out of the game.
To finish, props to freshmen Nate Starks who ran for 31 yards and a touchdown. He is not only helping the Bruins get small, gritty yardage, but he is very impressive with his ability to knock defenders back when meeting head on. This guy is going to be huge one day.
Wide Receivers: B
Oct 11, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins receiver Alex Van Dyke reacts from the bench during the second quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
It was a decent effort, especially when he Bruins got back to their game plan of throwing the ball to eight or more men, which including Hundley for this game. Aside from his two late touchdowns, Jordan Payton was having himself a ball game. He was getting after every pass and doing what he could to make a play for 61 solid yards. Eldridge Massington, Mossi Johnson, Devin Lucien and Devin Fuller all amassed 20 or more yards as the Bruins not only threw the ball around, but got good yardage with it… the only problem, once again, they could not finish.
Offensive Line: C
A way better effort from the front line but not entirely good. In the first half, the Bruins were getting enormous holes for Hundley and Perkins to run through. UCLA had a total of 328 rushing yards, which is the first time in a long time that UCLA had more yards on the ground than through the air as the Bruins only put up 225 yards. But they also got Hundley sacked more than once (again) and allowed a horrible error when a Duck defender got at Hundley to cause a fumble that got Oregon down to the 13-yard line. To top it off, starting tackle Malcolm Bunche was pulled in the second half for back-up Connor McDermott. Can the Bruins ever turn the corner?
Defensive Line: D
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These defensive breakdowns will be kept brief. There was little pressure on Marcus Mariota after Oregon gave up 12 sacks to their previous two opponents, they could not stop the Duck’s ground game as they accumulated 258 yards and UCLA could not penetrate Oregon’s offensive line. Eddie Vanderdoes did not help with that punch. So yeah, D.
Linebackers: B-
Myles Jack and Eric Kendricks were having their names called throughout the television broadcast. They were pretty good on an individual basis, but they cannot do everything. Whether it was leaving them alone to cover the middle of the field or the inability for other groups to help, it gave the linebackers little chance to make a play.
Defensive Backs: C
As the last line of defense, they also did a decent job, but to compete at the highest level, especially in this conference, decent is useless. They only allowed 210 passing yards, though all five of their receivers had 20 or more yards with the most going to Pharaoh Brown who caught five for 84.
Special Teams: C
Ka’imi Fairbairn put the Bruins on the board first, but also missed a 41-yard attempt, badly. Late in the game, UCLA opted to go for a two-point conversion instead of the kick. It may have been that the Bruins were trying to go for more points, but it also might have been something else. As for kick returns, Oregon had Ishmael Adams‘ number as he averaged only 16 yards per return.