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UCLA Football: Statistical progress after the Oklahoma game

By Mike Regalado

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 08: Defensive back Darnay Holmes #1 of the UCLA Bruins breaks up a pass to wide receiver Marquise Brown #5 of the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Bruins 49-21. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 08: Defensive back Darnay Holmes #1 of the UCLA Bruins breaks up a pass to wide receiver Marquise Brown #5 of the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Bruins 49-21. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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The UCLA football team made some progress in several areas this weekend against Oklahoma. Go Joe Bruin looks at the Bruins’ statistics compared to the previous week’s game.

The UCLA football did not impress many in their season opener against Cincinnati. Oddly enough, the Bruins made a lot of progress in their 49-21 loss to Oklahoma, despite what the score indicates.

RELATED: UCLA Performs Better Than Expected Against Oklahoma

Go Joe Bruin looks at the how the Bruins improved or regressed in the stat column as we compare UCLA’s numbers put up against Cincinnati to those put up against Oklahoma.

Total Offensive Yards: 306 ➡ 383 yards (+77)

It was not much, but it says something about UCLA who was able to put up 77 more total yards against #6 Oklahoma than the Cincinnati Bearcats. The Sooners’ defense is up and coming and really took it to the Bruins, yet UCLA was able to move the ball regardless, but it was a tale of two offenses that attributed to the increase.

Offensive Rushing Yards: 144 ➡ 129 (-15)

Running the ball was not how the Bruins were able to get more total yards. UCLA still had trouble on the ground in both weeks and a stronger Sooner defense continued to keep them in check. Last week, Kazmeir Allen was able to run for 103 yards as the top rusher on the team. This week, Bolu Olorunfunmi claimed that title, but with only 56 yards. On average, the Bruins only had 2.6 rushing yards per carry against OU. Hopefully, this can improve in the weeks to come.

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Offensive Passing Yards: 162 ➡ 254 (+92)

Things change when you have consistency and Dorian Thompson-Robinson proved that with a solid performance in his first career start. Last week the true freshman had 117 passing yards, so on an individual basis, he improved by 137 yards. And this was against Oklahoma. That is incredible progress, especially for a true freshman.

Total Defensive Yards: 304 ➡ 485 yards (+181)

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This stat looks bad, but only from a certain point of view. UCLA’s defense, in fact, made improvements (the biggest one I will get into shortly) but you also have to realize this was against one of the best offenses in the nation. Also, consider that in Week 1 OU had 650 yards against Florida Atlantic, that is 165 less against UCLA.

Defensive Rushing Yards: 194 ➡ 179 (-15)

Here is a huge statistical improvement. UCLA gave up 287.4 yards per game in 2017, that is big… and once again, against one of the top offenses in the nation. They even limited Oklahoma to fewer yards than Cincinnati. So does that mean the Bearcats are a better rushing team than the Sooners? No, it means UCLA’s run defense is improving.

Defensive Passing Yards: 110 ➡ 306 (+196)

Once again, this stat is not pretty, but consider it was against Oklahoma and potential Heisman candidate Kyler Murray. It was well known that the Bruins would give up a lot of yards and points to Oklahoma and they did not disappoint, but the Bruins were impressive in what we did see on the field.

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The Bruins had six pass breakups and one interception. It was not a lot, but it was an improvement. This gives us hope for the future. Let us see what they can do against Fresno State.