UCLA Football: Josh Rosen vs. Sam Darnold… its time to get it on!
The upcoming Crosstown Showdown might have lost a bit a flare with an under performing UCLA Football team, but we finally get the chance to see the head-to-head battle of the QBs in Los Angeles.
In 2016 we missed out on this match up when UCLA (5-5) QB Josh Rosen was lost for the year with a shoulder injury while USC (9-2) QB Sam Darnold got the hype train going with big wins over Washington and then a Rose Bowl game for the ages against Penn State.
2017 thankfully has provided us with potentially the final chance to watch these two duel it out one last time in college. There is the minuscule chance both could return to school for Rosen’s senior and Darnold’s junior year. However the likelier option is that these two won’t meet again until they’re both in the NFL.
It’s a classic battle no matter how you slice it. Two long standing rival schools, two quarterbacks fighting it out to see who is the best in the city and two players going head to head to see who will be the higher ranked player for many “scouts” at the QB position.
Related Story: UCLA Football: The return of Rosen brings balance to the offense
The Bruins are on the cusp of bowl eligibility and Rosen has already stated that he will play in a bowl should the Bruins be invited to one after winning a sixth game. Despite clearly displaying the exceptional tools to thrive in the NFL, Rosen still has to win over large parts of the media and NFL front offices that aren’t 100% sold on the junior QB. While his physical tools are undeniable there’s a contingent of the draft world that isn’t sold on his intangibles. At this point those concerns are laughable.
| Josh Rosen | Stat Category | Sam Darnold |
|---|---|---|
| 237/381 | comp/att | 243/383 |
| 3094 | passing yards | 3198 |
| 8.12 | avg. yards/att | 8.35 |
| 343.7 | avg. yards/game | 290.7 |
| 21/9 | TDs/INTs | 24/11 |
| -0.7 | avg. rush yards per attempt | 1.6 |
| 2 | rush TDs | 4 |
The numbers above demonstrate what each QB has been able to do stats wise this season. Despite missing a game Rosen’s numbers are almost identical to Darnold’s and with fewer weapons and a much less effective rushing attack.
The once boisterous QB has been very quiet this season choosing to focus on the field rather than draw attention to off field statements. He’s led the UCLA Football team to a number of high profile comebacks this year and in many cases was the reason the team was even in the game with his defense being lackluster this year. Additionally he’s taken punishment game in and game out proving to anyone with eyeballs that his toughness is the last question anyone should have about him.
Josh Rosen is currently playing with blood streaming down his face, which seems sort of tough to me.
— David Woods (@daviddavidwoods) November 12, 2017
Across town the quiet Darnold has had to deal with plenty of questions himself. Following the 2016 season he lost his top receivers and three starting offensive linemen. Rosen had the same issues following his 2015 season and struggled in ’16. So when Darnold fell into the same situation I argued this season had the potential to be a step backward. A higher turnover margin and a fewer TDs through the air despite more throwing opportunities have been the result so far.
This is why Sam Darnold can make 10 bad decisions per game and the No. 1 pick talk still won't go away. pic.twitter.com/ZBP6snEvHa
— Ryan McCrystal (@Ryan_McCrystal) November 5, 2017
It seems foolish now that people questioned Rosen’s talent level after he had a down 2016 that ended with injury when Darnold is going through something very similar minus the season ending injury.
Despite the higher turnover ratio, the Trojans under Darnold have sewn up the South division of the PAC-12 and are headed for a championship game and a PAC-12 North opponent that has yet to be decided. Darnold has been helped out by a much stronger running game and defense than his UCLA Football counterpart but which ever team wins will have to do it with outstanding play at the QB position.
If Rosen is going to out duel his crosstown rival he will have to do it without his favorite receivers Caleb Wilson and Darren Andrews who are injured and out for the season. He’s been able to overcome the loss of Wilson but Andrews is a newer injury and the ASU secondary is a much easier task than the Trojans’. Jordan Lasley had a big game last year against USC and will need an even bigger one to help offset the losses in the receiving corps. If last week is any indication the UCLA Football offense should still be in solid hands with him as the top option.
Next: UCLA Basketball: What type of suspension should be given to Ball, Hill and Riley?
Rarely do we, as sports fans, get a chance to watch this type of duel. We wonder what contests would like between powerhouses that never meet or how one of the best defenders in the game will handle a top playmaker for an offense. Saturday will give us the chance to life through what is sure to be a meeting for the ages.