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.
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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?
Implementing the option into the run game (cont.)
Above is a video that shows how multiple option plays can work. Below are my crude definitions of each option style named in the last slide, just to give you an idea of what Kelly wants to achieve:
Zone read: an option play based on the QB reading the defense and decides to either hand off the ball or keep it
RPO: similar to zone read, but a quick pass is an option instead of a QB run (though the QB run can also be used as another potential attack)
Triple-option: a run play with two running backs. The QB can choose to hand it off to the first RB, keep it himself or hand it off to the second RB option, often out to the side for a pitch
The interesting thing about practice on Saturday, is that the quarterbacks were rigorously working on pitches and shovel-passes in individual group drills. Shortly after, there was a lot of the triple-option work when the offense went against the defense.
Though there were some growing pains, the offense executed it well enough to get positive yardage more plays than not. The defense, which has been impressive with their new aggressive attack, was the more dominant group in the first two weeks of practice, but they had some trouble containing the newly implemented run plays.
It was clear the defense needed a time to try and pinpoint the ball carrier, which forced them to change their approach slightly. Before the installment of the triple-option plays, the offense was focused on just trying to get the proper read and some positive yards. Now the defense has to account for multiple, potential runners. This is good for both sides.
The defense did not do well stopping the run last season, giving up 287.4 yards per game on the ground, dead last in Division I. With new DC Jerry Azzinaro making this team more aggressive, there should be an improvement in run defense. But now they will go up against a team that will keep them on their toes, even better for a defense that looks to become more reactive.
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.