UCLA Football: Rising Stars and Burning Questions

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Sep 17, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Taysom Hill (7) throws the ball away as he is pressured by UCLA Bruins linebacker Jayon Brown (12) in the second quarter at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

UCLA Football may have finally caught the break it needed against BYU. What did we learn from this game?

It is the morning after the UCLA–BYU game, and there is finally hope in the air that UCLA Football may be heading in the right direction.

Everyone expected the game in Provo to be a close one. In fact, many went as far as to predict a UCLA Football loss. Instead, the Bruins were able to hold the Cougars and dominate a game in a way only the Bruins can: worrying everyone until the very last second of the fourth quarter.

Although there are still reasons for the Bruins to be concerned, there’s also plenty to be excited about moving forward. Here’s the rundown:

Rising Stars

Adarius Pickett

Sep 17, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Adarius Pickett (6) and defensive back Jaleel Wadood (2) celebrate after a hit in the first quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive back Adarius Pickett has quickly become a strong presence in the Bruins’ secondary. In just three games, this redshirt sophomore has registered two interceptions; one against Texas A&M and the other against BYU.

Pickett is quick and has great instincts. He has a passion for getting the football, and it shows. Against BYU, Pickett’s interception was a diving catch occurring after almost every other player had given up on the play. But Pickett hadn’t.

If he continues to grow, expect him to become the new fear of UCLA opponents’ receiving corps.

Darren Andrews

After the first two games, it was clear UCLA Football and quarterback Josh Rosen were missing reliable receivers. After losing Jordan Payton, Thomas Duarte, and Devin Fuller to the NFL, it simply seemed no other receivers were stepping up to the task. If anything, in the first two games, and especially in College Station, the Bruins saw a lot of key balls dropped.

But things are finally looking up. Against BYU, redshirt junior Darren Andrews found his place as Rosen’s go-to guy. The receiver caught 4 passes for 91 yards, including one touchdown.

If Andrews can keep this up, he will be the reliable wide out Rosen was missing in the first two games. However, he better watch his excitement, which was costly for the Bruins last night when Andrews was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.

UCLA Defense

Just when everyone was ready to call for Tom Bradley’s firing, the Bruins’ defense showed us why UCLA Football was ranked in the Top 25 of the AP preseason poll.

In a key game against BYU where a loss would have meant complete elimination from playoff contention, Bradley’s defense showed us that they can in fact prepare for specific opponents and execute accordingly.

The run defense had been nonexistent for the Bruins before Provo. This was of clear concern given BYU’s mobile quarterback Taysom Hill’s ability to keep the chains moving with his scrambles. But last night, the UCLA defense kept Hill at -7 yards in 10 carries.

The Bruins also sacked, hurried, and pressured Hill throughout the entire game. If there is one reason for the Bruins to be excited after last night’s game, it is how improved the defense was.

If the Bruins can prepare for Christian McCaffrey the way they did for Hill, perhaps UCLA will finally stand a chance to beat Stanford at the Rose Bowl when they meet next week.