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Know Your Opponent: UCLA at Washington

By Jake Merrifield

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UCLA at Washington, Husky Stadium, Saturday 4pm

Series History

  • UCLA is 39 – 30 – 2 against Washington.

    • The first match-up between the 2 schools was a 0-19 shutout loss to the Huskies in 1932.

    In fact, the Bruins failed to score a point against the Huskies the first 4 times the two teams played (1932-33 & 1936-37). The Bruins finally broke the drought and collected the 1st win against the Huskies in 1938 with a 13-0 shutout of their own.

    UCLA holds the longest winning streak in the series, taking 7 in a row against the Huskies from 1952 thru 1958.

    …since 1997 UCLA is 12-3 vs UW and 4-1 in the last 5 meetings…

    The Huskies longest winning streak in the series is the 4 game streak to start the series in the 30’s and another 4 game streak from 1959 thru 1962.

    UCLA has dominated the series in recent years. Since 1997 UCLA is 12-3 vs UW and 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.

    This is only Jim Mora’s 2nd game against his Alma Mater as an opposing coach (his Bruins beat Washington 41-31 at the Rose Bowl last year). It is his 1st visit to Husky Stadium as the coach of the Bruins (but don’t ask him if its special unless you want to get smacked).

    "University of Washington Fun Fact #1 – Founded in 1861, UW’s original campus was situated in downtown Seattle. The UW moved to its present location in the U-District in 1895. *"

    Washington on Offense

    Washington has had a herky-jerky year on offense in the first year of the Chris Peterson Era due to various factors including injuries, suspensions and team turnover. After 5 conferences games, #11 is Washington’s number on offense as the Huskies are ranked #11 (out of 12) in all of the these categories:

    •  Total Offense (322.4 yards per game vs UCLA’s 512.5 YPG )
    • Scoring Offense (22.4 points per game vs UCLA’s 35.5 points)
    • First Downs Per Game (17.2 vs UCLA’s 24.8)
    • Time of Possession (Avg 27:53 min vs UCLA’s 30:44 min)
    • Red Zone Offense (8/12 or 66.7% vs UCLA’s 25/26 or 96.2%)
    • 3rd Down Conversion % (31.6% vs UCLA’s 40.2%)

    Sophomore QB Cyler Miles comes into the game having missed the out of conference opener due to a suspension and the ASU game due to injury.

    Other than fighting his way into a season opening suspension, Cyler Miles has not embarrased himself with UW Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

    The Huskies have played it fairly conservative with Miles, and he has rewarded them with a respectable Completion Percentage of 66.5% and an impressive TD/INT ratio of 12/1. However, in 7 games this season, Miles has thrown for more than 200 yards just twice. On the gound, Miles has only averaged 25 yards rushing for the season and less than 10 yards per game vs Pac-12 teams.

    It should come as no surprise with Miles pedestrian passing numbers that no Washington wide receiver is in the Top 10 of any Pac-12 statistical category. Of the Husky WR’s with more than 10 receptions however, Sophomore John Ross stands out as a big play threat for Washington. Ross is averaging over 20 yards per catch on the season, and he has TD catches of  55, 75, 86, and 91 yards (1 vs a Pac-12 team ). However, Ross’ time on offense may be limited as its been reported in the Seattle Times this week that Ross has been asked to contribute on defense.

    The Husky running backs have been banged up all season. Lavon Coleman and Dwayne Washington have both missed the last two games for the Washington and were unimpressive in the Pac-12 schedule before they were hurt (Coleman averaged 50 YPG and 3.7 YPC in 3 games and Washington averaged 17.3 YPG and 2.8 YPC in those same games).

    Shaq vs Jack will be in full effect on Saturday. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

    Enter Shaq Thompson, or the poor man’s Myles Jack. In the last 2 games playing almost exclusively at tailback, Thompson has averaged 136 YPG and 7.5 YPC. Although he is a “Running Backer” like Jack, the two have different running styles. Jack plows through defenders in a panther like crouch, while Shaq runs the ball almost totally upright.

    The Huskies have not shown the ability to consistently hit big plays all year, so the Bruin’s 1st priority should be to smother the Washington ground game with extreme prejudice and force Miles to beat them with his arm.

    "University of Washington Fun Fact #2 – Famous former UW students include Bruce Lee & Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute from The Office).*"

    Washington on Defense

    Before Thursday night, Washington was scary good talent-wise on all 3 levels of its defense. After the dismissal of NFL caliber Junior CB Marcus Peters from the program, UW has an amazing front 7 backed by a talented but very inexperienced secondary. Washington has one of the best defensive linemen in the country in NT Will Shelton (#55).

    This sexy beast leads UW in tackles from the NT position. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

    He currently leads UW in tackles at just under 8 per game, which is an impressive feat for a 0 or 1 technique that is typically tasked with absorbing double teams and clogging the line of scrimmage. Jake Brendel and the rest of the UCLA O-line have played great recently, but if they don’t bring their best effort on Saturday, Shelton will make them look foolish.

    If the Bruins make it to the second level of the Husky defense, all they have to worry about is Washington All-Time Sack leader Hau’oli Kikaha. Kikaha leads the Pac-12 with  21.5 Tackles for a Loss (just ahead Arizona’s Scooby Wright, the bane of the Bruin offense last week). Peterson has also said that Shaq Thompson will return to the defense at least part time this week, which will only make it harder for the Bruins.

    The Washington secondary will be the main concern for Husky fans on Saturday. The Husky defensive backs are rich on talent, but lack experience with the dismissal of Peters.

    Too Good for the Bruins? Budda Baker chose UW over UCLA last year. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

    Two true freshmen, cornerback Sidney Jones and free safety Budda Baker (who was recruited hard by the Bruins last year) are starting for UW, and  according to the Seattle Times, true freshman Naijiel Hale may start in Peters place on Saturday.

    Look for Washington to ratchet up the pressure on Saturday and force the issue with the Bruins. They will most likely bring pressure with the front 7 in an attempt to protect the young secondary from having to cover the UCLA receivers for long periods of time. If UCLA wants to exploit the Washington secondary, they would be wise to continue setting up the deep ball with play action off a strong running game and short perimeter throws.

    "University of Washington Fun Fact #3 – UW alumnus Robb Weller and band director Bill Bissell are credited with creating “The Wave” at the 1981 UW-Stanford football game.*"

    How will it go for the Bruins?

    Due to Washington’s lack of fire power and reliance on Thompson on offense, the Huskies will try to slow the game down and allow their defense to show its strength against the Bruins. Washington wants a relatively small number of possessions that will keep the game close and allow the Huskies to hang in the game and take advantage of late game opportunities.

    Unfortunately for UW, the Bruins proved they can play that style of game last week in their 17-7 win over Arizona. However, don’t expect the Bruins to completely grind the game out. UCLA will attempt to control the clock as they did against the Wildcats, and if successful, look for big plays down the stretch against a worn out Husky Defense.

    UCLA 30 Washington 16

    * Fun Facts culled from www.washington.edu