UCLA Football: Josh Rosen and the Quest for the End Zone

UCLA Football quarterback Josh Rosen is at polar ends with his production as he is racking up yards, but not touchdowns. Can that change against Arizona?

Josh Rosen was expected to be a Heisman candidate this season and lead the UCLA Football team to success. That feat is still possible, though he needs to severely improve in some areas if he wants to be considered the best QB in the nation.

Rosen has admitted that he has not performed to the best of his abilities and has taken that burden on his shoulders. After losses to Texas A&M and Stanford, he has taken responsibility as the leader of the offense and has made no excuses for his performance.

Here is the thing, Rosen has not been horrendous, he has just not been able to get the ball in the end zone. Though he is averaging an astounding 291.2 passing yards per game (3rd in the Pac-12), he is tied for 7th in the conference in touchdowns (5).

More Responsibility For Rosen

Under the new Kennedy Polamalu offense, the Bruins have been trying to move the ball on the ground as much as they do through the air. Unfortunately, with the running game stalling, more responsibility has been put on Rosen’s shoulders.

Sep 12, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) walks off field after defeating the UNLV Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Dahl-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bruins are pretty balanced on the year as they have thrown the ball 153 times and ran it 147. But when you look at the numbers, Rosen is doing more than his fair share. UCLA has accumulated 1,178 total passing yards, and only 471 yards on the ground.

By the way, the Bruins are last in the Pac-12 Conference in rushing yards per game (117.8 ypg).

Rosen is doing what he can to help UCLA, but he cannot do it all. That has been the case with producing touchdowns (or lack there of). Despite being 2nd in conference in total yards (1,165), he is only getting the ball into the end zone via pass on 9.8% of UCLA’s drives. In all, UCLA has scored on 33% of their 51 drives this season (including passing TDs, rushing TDs and field goals).

Finding A Way To Win

If UCLA wants to win, they have to put the ball in the end zone (duh!) and start doing it by any means necessary. Rosen has to find a way to do even more. Though he is getting big yards, he also has a lot of missed opportunities.

More from Go Joe Bruin

The sophomore QB has only connected on 61.6% of his passes (10th in the PAC-12) and has had four passes intercepted (tied for most in conference). A lot of that has not exactly been his fault. He is getting the ball to several different receivers, but they are not holding up their end by dropping them.

Going forward, UCLA has to find the receivers that will complete a play with Rosen and will do some damage in the red zone. With the way the Bruins are moving the ball, there should be no reason they cannot move it into the end zone.

There are clearly more factors to producing points than some writer saying, “just get it into the end zone”. Luckily, the Bruins will be able to work on this Saturday at the Rose Bowl against Arizona.

The Wildcats are not a defensive powerhouse as they are giving up 454.5 yards per game. Arizona in 9th in the conference in pass defense as they are allowing 256.2 yards through the air.

Next: Release the Kraken! (aka Running Backs)

If there was ever a time for Rosen and Co. to strike, it is this Saturday. Hopefully we can see a little more of that flare he had as a freshman and really start to light up the Bruins. That and I hope he crushes the Wildcats.