Go Joe Bruin examines three questions regarding the UCLA Football team as they head into their season opener against Texas A&M.
This week the UCLA Football team kicks their season off against Texas A&M. Last year the Bruins lost in overtime at Kyle Field after the Bruins scored 15 fourth-quarter points to force extra time.
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The Bruins hope that Josh Rosen’s return from injury will give them the edge to beat the Aggies. But there are concerns and with that we ask three questions about the Bruins.
1. Will Josh Rosen return to form after his shoulder injury?
Josh Rosen will make his first appearance in a game this Sunday since being injured against Arizona State last year. Much (if not all) of the Bruins’ success hinges on a healthy Rosen and that begins on then weekend.
Last year when Rosen went out, backup Mike Fafaul was brought in. At times he was effective, but he was only able to win a single game (Oregon State).
The Bruins will like to avoid going to their second string QB this year. Although, seeing Devon Modster in action would be great, but only under the right circumstances.
With the hiring of Jedd Fisch, Rosen will be working with his third offensive coordinator in three years. The loss of redshirt senior offensive lineman Kenny Lacy will hurt Rosen too. These factors could lead to a slow start by Rosen.
While Texas A&M has an experienced secondary, including former Bruin Priest Willis, it’s a unit that gave up 256 yards in the air last year. If the Aggies’ passing defense is giving up chunks of yards in the air, it may be exactly what Rosen needs returning to the field.
2. The Bruins must show some sign of a running attack, can they do it against the Aggie defense?
We’ve all harped on the fact that the Bruins couldn’t run the ball last year. One thing that will make that memory go away is to start the season with a strong rushing performance against A&M.
For whoever ends up being the Bruins’ running back on Sunday (my guess is we’ll see at least three), this is an opportunity for one to step up and position themselves as the number one running back.
For whoever ends up being the Bruins’ running back on Sunday (my guess is we’ll see at least three), this is an opportunity for one to step up and position themselves as the number one running back.
Last year the Aggies allowed 205.1 yards a game on the ground. Couple that with the fact that they lose a lot of their top defenders from last year and A&M may have trouble stopping the run. Myles Garrett (15.0 tackles for loss), leading tackler Shaan Washington (104 tackles), Nick Harvey (knee injury), and Daeshon Hall (13.0 tackles for loss) are all gone and must be replaced by Coach Kevin Sumlin.
Returning to the Aggies on defense is a core that includes Donovan Wilson, Armani Watts, and Otaro Alaka. Last year the three combined for 180 tackles including 18.5 for losses and three sacks.
They may not have the hype that Garrett did last year but all three have big play making ability.
If Rosen is able to pass the ball (see #1 above), it will open up the chance to run on the Aggies. As of Wednesday, Coach Mora hasn’t announced a starting running back. But even a combination of Soso Jamabo, Bolu Olorunfunmi, and Nate Starks should be able to run against the Aggies. My guess is if A&M gave up over 200 rushing yards a game last year with Garrett and Co., the Bruins may have some success on the ground and even (hold your breath) rush for over 100 yards!
3. Christian Kirk is a great receiver for A&M but who will throw to him?
Last year with Trevor Knight at quarterback, Christian Kirk had 83 catches for 928 yards and 9 touchdowns. It was the second year in a row with 80 catches or more for Kirk and he looked to continue the trend this year. The problem this year is he still doesn’t know who will be throwing him the ball.
With Knight gone, the Aggies are deciding from three different QBs. One with 104 career pass attempts and the other two, a redshirt freshman and a true freshman, have yet to play a down at A&M. Kirk actually has more career pass attempts (2) than two of the three quarterbacks.
Senior Jake Hubenak has the only on-field experience and would be the smart, safe choice for Coach Kevin Sumlin. He is a pocket passer who showed promise last year throwing six touchdowns with just two interceptions while completing 58.7% of his passes.
Nick Starkel is a redshirt freshman reported to have a very strong arm and, besides Sumlin, impressed Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy during recruiting. In the A&M spring game, he went 10-27 for 174 yards and one touchdown.
Kellen Mond looks like he’s the most athletic of the bunch. He was the #3 dual-threat quarterback in the 2017 recruiting class. If he’s used, it might be in a run-pass option set or designed quarterback keepers.
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The bottom line is that if the Bruins’ secondary can stick with Kirk and force the ball into the hands of other Aggies receivers, it may limit the damage done by A&M’s passing game.