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UCLA Football: 5 Things We Learned from the Arizona Game

By Mike Regalado

Sep 24, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) walks off the field during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Rose Bowl. The Stanford Cardinal won 22-13. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) walks off the field during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at Rose Bowl. The Stanford Cardinal won 22-13. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Here are five things we learned about the UCLA Football team after they defeated the Arizona Wildcats, 45-24.

The UCLA Football team is 3-2 after beating Arizona handily (Washington couldn’t do that, hehehe). They are also 1-1 in the South Division and are still in control of their own destiny.

Either way, UCLA looks to keep improving and did so this past Saturday. We saw some bad things, but mostly good. Here are five things we learned from UCLA’s win over Arizona.

Related Story: What UW's Win Over Stanford Says About UCLA

1. Rosen is Alright…

UCLA sophomore QB Josh Rosen has been able to collect an abundance of yards, but he had not been successful throwing the ball into the end zone. That changed Saturday night. Rosen not only topped the 300-yard mark, but added three touchdowns to his stat sheet. Kenny Walker (twice) and Theo Howard helped out with that feat. Rosen even added a 1-yard run for the score to finish with four total touchdowns against Arizona.

2. …The Running Game is Not

October 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Nate Starks (23) runs the ball against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 1, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Nate Starks (23) runs the ball against the Arizona Wildcats during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Whether it is finding the gaps, the use of personnel or the offensive line (yes, they have a part in this too), the Bruins are just not getting it done on the ground. They managed to get 126 yards against, which is more than their average of 119.2 yards per game, but not by much.

Once again, despite having three very good running backs, only one shined. The quiet Nate Starks had a game-high 80 yards on a hame-high 17 carries to led the ground game.

Bolu Olorunfunmi only had 9 nine and even more surprising was Soso Jamabo having six carries for -12 yards. Not a good look for the offense run by the Offensive Coordinator that use to be the running backs coach.

3. The Run Defense Needs To Tighten the Screws

UCLA held Arizona below their season average in rushing yards, but not by much. After playing two weeks of power football, the Bruins were burned on the run in a few plays and allowed 242 yards.

The Bruins missed some tackles, were often unaggressive and did not have the best time defending players one-on-one. The final result is that it was enough as UCLA limited Arizona to 24 points after going toe-to-toe with Washington last weekend. It is a good thing Arizona couldn’t pass.

4. Penalties are Lessening, Mora Did Not Help

Normally, a fan base would be outraged at five penalties for 60 yards, but at UCLA, it is progress. Though technically there were only four committed by the Bruins. The fifth was on UCLA Football Head Coach Jim Mora for unsportsmanlike conduct as he was jawing at the referees for not catching an “ineligible receiver downfield” call. Though he might have had a point, he needs to just let it go.

5. The Offense Can Move

Wooooo! Rosen throwing for 350 yards, receivers making some big plays and the running game, well look, they ran for over 100 yards (cough cough, collectively, cough cough). There still needs to be some improvements, but for the most part they were fluid in their game plan, especially after halftime.

Next: Josh Rosen Has Some Fight, Fight, Fight

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And that is another thing. The offense looked atrocious in the first half. After the break they changed things up and had a field day in the second half. What more could you ask for? Aside from blocking.