Washington Offense (cont.)
Washington also has a two-head beast in charge of the running game as Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed are both making things a living hell for rush defenses. Gaskin is getting more reps and is leading the team in yards with 438 (4.5 yds/carry) but is Ahmed is making a slightly bigger impact whenever he touches the ball (7.1 yds/carry). Solid RBs, check!
Either way, the Bruins are going to have their hands full with whoever is running the ball. UCLA has made improvements in rush defense, but things might get out of hand with a team that knows how to move their offense forward.
2018 Washington Offensive Stats
Total – 438.8 | Rushing – 165.4 | Passing – 273.4 | Scoring – 28.8
On top of all that, UCLA has been taking some hits with injuries. Linebackers Mique Juarez, Jaelan Phillips, and Je’Vari Anderson are all injured and it is taking a toll on the LB group. Teams now know to work the middle of the field with the Bruins.
If a team runs, they just need to try and make it to the second level (which should not be a problem with their offensive line (solid O-Line, check!)) and they will have a lot of room to work with. If they are looking to pass, all they need to do is try and create space in the middle of the field. If UCLA’s secondary creeps up, teams will look to make the long connection.
With UCLA in such turmoil, it seems like the Huskies will not have to work hard to get past the Bruins’ defense. UCLA is suffering and right now they just want to have a good showing, but with Browning, Gaskin Ahmed and Fuller leading the offense, UCLA might simply be a punching bag in this contest.