Go Joe Bruin
Fansided

Know Your Opponent: UCLA Football vs. Fresno State 2018

By Mike Regalado

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 08: Marcus McMaryion #6 of the Fresno State Bulldogs hands the ball to teammate Josh Hokit #33 against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second quarter of the game on September 8, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 08: Marcus McMaryion #6 of the Fresno State Bulldogs hands the ball to teammate Josh Hokit #33 against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second quarter of the game on September 8, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
BOISE, ID – DECEMBER 2: Head Coach Jeff Tedford of the Fresno State Bulldogs on the sidelines during second half action in the Mountain West Championship against the Boise State Broncos on December 2, 2017 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won the game 17-14. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – DECEMBER 2: Head Coach Jeff Tedford of the Fresno State Bulldogs on the sidelines during second half action in the Mountain West Championship against the Boise State Broncos on December 2, 2017 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won the game 17-14. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /

Fresno State Offense (cont.)

Fresno State got a reality check, but now they know what adjustments they have to make because UCLA could be a lot more difficult. According to ESPN, Minnesota is ranked 48th in defensive efficiency. UCLA is just below them at 57th. The thing is, UCLA’s numbers are where they are at because of the numbers Oklahoma put upon them.

Despite the big loss, the Bruins limited the #6 team in the nation to 173 rushing yards! That is quite the improvement over last season. So is UCLA worse at pass defense? Not really. Oklahoma put 306 yards on UCLA through the air, but that was because OU is such a well-oiled machine behind QB Kyler Murray. We should see improvements against the Bulldogs.

2018 Fresno State Offensive Stats

Total – 392.5 | Rushing – 163.0 | Passing – 229.5 | Scoring – 46.5

So how will Fresno State match up with UCLA? It will be difficult as the Bruins’ defense seems to be getting better every week.

Fresno State is going to have to figure out how to limit UCLA’s pass rush, which has become very effective with Jaelan Phillips (who was injured against Oklahoma but should be good to go against FSU) and Keisean Lucier-South attacking from the edges.

In the Bruins’ first two games they have logged 4 sacks, 4 hurries, and 11 tackles for a loss. Additionally, the Bruins have been quite active defending the skies with 11 pass breakups and 1 interception.

Fresno State has been very impressive offensively, but it is going to be a different story when they face UCLA’s defense, which has definitely taken a step up since last season.