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UCLA Football: Have the Bruins Found Their Run Game?

By Mike Regalado

Nov 12, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Oregon State Beavers during the first half of a NCAA football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Oregon State Beavers during the first half of a NCAA football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Football team ran for the second most yards in a game this season against Oregon State. Will this help them going forward?

One hundred and sixty-three rushing yards is really good for a single running back to gain in one game. 163 yards is also really good for the collective running backs group on the UCLA football team.

It is not ideal, but it is a start.

During their contest against Utah, UCLA seem to abandon the run, only calling 10 plays and passing 70 times. In their next game against Colorado, they seem to be a bit more dedicated to it with Soso Jamabo taking the majority of the carries in that game and even though he only collected 66 yards, it was progress.

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This past weekend against Oregon State, the Bruins continued with that dedication to the run. Not only did they have the highest rushing yard per carry average in a game this season with 5.6, they also collected the most yards in a game since UNLV. It was progress.

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What’s even better is that UCLA had three rushing touchdowns. Bolu Olorunfunmi started things off with a first quarter touchdown which set the tone for the game.

Freshman Jalen Starks only had 24 yards, but it’s all he needed to get two touchdowns. Olorunfunmi, Starks and freshman Brandon Stephens all ran for more than 8.0 yards per carry.

In the last few weeks where the passing game has been the strength of the offense for the Bruins, they were not able to put the ball in the end zone through the air.

The dedication to the run helped with this win. It is been frustrating to see the Bruins struggle, but as they have also shifted back to a spread offense of sorts, they were able to move the ball a little bit more efficiently.

That is going to be a necessity going into this week’s game against USC. The Trojans are not messing around right now.  After coming off a win in Seattle over #4 Washington, USC has a chance to win the South Division and could be in position to win the championship game.

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UCLA’s defense should be able to match up against the USC’s offense, but if UCLA cannot get anything going with their offense, there will be a slim chance for victory. This is where the run game comes in.