UCLA Football: Implementing the option into the run game

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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 18: Head coach Chip Kelly of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 18, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

There was a different look with the UCLA football team’s run game on Saturday and it appears as if it could be the foundation of a deception-based offense by head coach Chip Kelly. It will also help the defense prepare for aggressive offenses.

We have all been waiting to see what Chip Kelly is going to turn the UCLA football program into, especially when it comes to the run game. Running the ball, on both sides, has not been a strength the Bruins’ have possessed in the last few seasons. But there is a new ideology and it is starting to take shape.

In the first three weeks of spring practice, there has been a focus on fundamentals and installing those fundamentals in game situations. Saturday, we saw a different look, one that could be the foundation of UCLA’s new run game.

As you might know, the Bruins’ run game has not been anything to write home about. Though the Bruins improved under Jedd Fisch, it continued to struggle mightily. In 2016, the Bruins could only muster 84.2 yards per game (125th out of 128). Last season they improved slightly with 116.4 (119th).

That is going to change dramatically and what Kelly is installing, is not only new to UCLA, but it could make UCLA a household name, similar to what Oregon did when Kelly ran that program from 2009-12, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

The point is that there is already a vigorous dedication to the run game at it has now taken its next step. Kelly wants to deceive defenses and use different offensive styles based around options in the run and passing game. You have heard about zone read, RPO (run-pass option) and triple-option, but what does it mean and what is the Bruin offense doing with it?