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.
Related Story: The Bruins Get Defensive at BYU
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
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.
Burning Questions
Josh Rosen
Redshirt sophomore Josh Rosen is no doubt an important tool for UCLA Football. However, the quarterback keeps showing signs that there are many things he needs to improve on before he can be the elite quarterback UCLA fans had hoped for.
He’s called “OverthRosen” for a reason. Although Rosen can sometimes be right on the money, there are times when he overthrows wide open receivers. Every opportunity missed is a possible touchdown foregone.
In addition to inconsistency in passing, Rosen continues to make questionable choices when pressured. Against BYU, he threw passes into deep coverage when rushed. He did this, by the way, while missing open receivers.
As Rosen continues to make news for being outspoken, many wonder whether Rosen is losing focus in football. His focus will be greatly needed by the Bruins when they meet Stanford at the Rose Bowl. Hopefully, the young QB will show further improvements sooner rather than later.
Running Backs Situation
The burning question of last night was Soso Jamabo‘s absence. Throughout the beginning of the season Jamabo seemed like UCLA’s number one back, with Bolu Olorunfunmi taking the backup spot.
Instead, the BYU game saw the return of Nate Starks, who had been the backup to Paul Perkins all of last season. Although there was nothing wrong with a Starks return, no one could quite get why Jamabo wasn’t suited up.
When asked about it after the game, UCLA Football Head Coach Jim Mora simply said Jamabo “didn’t play.” Mora’s coy answer hinted at a possible team-imposed sanction.
Despite Jamabo’s absence, many weren’t happy that Olorunfunmi did not see as much action as Starks, and many questioned the choice to use true freshmen Brandon Stephens and Jalen Starks as much as the Bruins did.
Whatever may be going on with the UCLA running backs, the situation needs to be addressed pronto. Against BYU, UCLA Football averaged 1.5 yards per rush. Those numbers simply won’t be good enough against Stanford.
J.J. Molson
It’s hard to criticize kicker J.J. Molson because he’s a freshman and quite a good kicker. However, at BYU, Molson missed a 38-yard field goal that should have arguably been an easy kick.
One field goal isn’t too much of a concern yet. But game-winning field goals are becoming more commonplace these days. If UCLA Football finds itself in that situation, will the young kicker from Canada deliver?
Molson is currently 4 out of 6 in field goal attempts and has been 100% in extra points. Admittedly, these are not bad numbers for a kicker whose career is just getting started.
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The Return Game
UCLA Football’s return game was once so dangerous that opponents would not even bother kicking balls that could be returned. That sure feels like a long time ago.
Ishmael Adams has been the sole kick and punt returner for the Bruins since the beginning of the season. So far, we have seen nothing but mediocre returns, along with a scary drop by Adams last night.
Something’s gotta give. Either UCLA should try another player besides Adams, or the team has to block better for Adams to get some running room. Either way, it seems the days where Adams could deliver explosive returns for touchdowns might be long gone.
The BYU game was another W for the Bruins to add to their resume. This win was significant, not only because of playoff hopes, but also because the Bruins showed that they can be a competitive team.
Next: Josh Rosen Strikes Again, With Words Not Touchdowns
UCLA Football’s eagerness to compete will be badly needed next Saturday when the Bruins face Stanford, a team UCLA has not defeated since 2008.
Go Bruins!