UCLA Football: Implementing the option into the run game

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Implementing the option into the run game (cont.)

Kelly wants the offense to have a strong run game and from there, he can work on the passing game. From what we saw from last season, the Bruins are improving in the passing game with WR coach Jimmie Dougherty in handling things.

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Though there will be a lot of running, it will be important to have a solid receiving game, but know that with Kelly, it won’t be about 30+ passing plays (though it might result in that), but more likely, we will probably see a lot of quick passes (slants, outs, comebacks, etc.), mostly to help get the ball down the field in several quick bursts.

Now if the intention is to get 4-8 yards and the result is 30 yards, I do not think Kelly is going to lose sleep over it. Either way, this is the start of something that should give the run game an injection of adrenaline.

But also think of it this way, this is just the start. Kelly is not even close to fine tuning this machine. He has simply installed the plan. So far, Soso Jamabo, Bolu Olorunfunmi and even walk-on Joshua Kelly have been effective in the run game and were impressive with the option plays.

But also know that this thing is going to evolve even more when fall comes around. The addition of incoming freshmen Kazmeir Allen and Martell Irby will add a lot of speed to the game.

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But you can also imagine that by the time camp begins, the defense will have implemented their own culture and will be ready for the option attack the offense will bring. Both teams will be building off of each other and hopefully what we see by September 1, the date of UCLA’s season opener against Cincinnati, will be as exciting as anything that was presented in Autzen Stadium.