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UCLA Football: Bruins shows signs of progress, but only for a half in loss to CU

By Mike Regalado

BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 28: Evan Worthington #6 of the Colorado Buffaloes breaks up a pass to Caleb Wilson #81 of the UCLA Bruins in the second quarter at Folsom Field on September 28, 2018 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 28: Evan Worthington #6 of the Colorado Buffaloes breaks up a pass to Caleb Wilson #81 of the UCLA Bruins in the second quarter at Folsom Field on September 28, 2018 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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The UCLA football team came out strong against Colorado but ends with a weak second half performance as they go 0-4 in Chip Kelly’s first season.

The UCLA football team had a strong start to the game on both offense and defense. Though they were forced to punt on their first drive of the game, they put Colorado in the same position as the Buffs were forced to give the ball away on their first possession of the game.

Why is this important? Progress.

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UCLA took that opportunity to break out some new formations which took the Colorado defense off guard. There was was hope as the Bruins were moving the ball efficiently on the ground and through the air.

On UCLA’s first scoring drive, a crucial late hit by CU’s Evan Worthington put UCLA past midfield which led to a Michael Ezeike touchdown, giving UCLA the 7-0 lead.

Colorado struck back on the next drive when Steven Montez ended a five-play drive when he connected with the nation’s best receiver Laviska Shenault for a 57-yard strike, tying the game at seven.

On the next drive, the seldom-used JJ Molson was called upon for a field goal which put UCLA back on top, 10-7. Molson would be called upon once more to put UCLA on the board before the half, but not before Colorado’s Steven Montez ran the ball in to put the Buffs up 14-13 at the game’s midway point.

The second half was a different story as bad tackling by the defense and an inability to move the ball proved to be the Bruins’ downfall. UCLA’s innovation in the first half seemed to fade as they played a very uninspired second half.

UCLA might have struck first after the break with Molson’s third field goal of the game to momentarily take back the lead at 16-14, but it would not last. Colorado responded with two touchdowns to end the third quarter with a 28-16 lead.

Colorado added a field goal to start the third quarter, going up 31-16. They then added two more touchdowns and a second field goal to finish the game at 38-16. That’s all you really need to know about how this game ended.

What started as a promising outing for the Bruins, ends with another disappointing loss, putting UCLA at 0-4 on the season and propelling Colorado to 4-0 and a for sure jump into next week’s AP Top 25.

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This loss was expected, but the hope of the first half is what hurts the most. UCLA showed that they could take a step forward, but what has been so evident in the first three games is that UCLA will take two steps back.