UCLA Football: Statistical progress after the Washington game

The UCLA football team made a statement against Washington, despite getting the loss (their fifth of the season), which showed major improvements.

With a segment called “Statistical Progress,” it is good that the UCLA football team had just that, statistical progress.

RELATED: UCLA Proves Washington is Not a Top 10 Team

Yes, UCLA is 0-5 but in this season of transition, but we have to be patient and look for progress and if you watched the game against Washington closely, you would have seen nothing but progress. Let us take a look.

Note: The season averages and rankings come from before UCLA’s last game.

Total Offensive Yards:

Season Avg (Nat’l Ranking): 312.0 (115th) | Vs. Washington: 422

The offense took a huge step forward against the #10 Washington Huskies. It was a thing of beauty to see the run and pass game sync up and move the ball down the field. Though head coach Chip Kelly seemed to prefer the pass in the first half and the run in the second, it seemed to all come together.

Offensive Rushing Yards

Season Avg (Nat’l Ranking): 135.8 (96th) | Vs. Washington: 150

It was the first time since 2015 that a Bruin running back had consecutive 100-yard rushing games. Joshua Kelley appears to be the coach’s choice and he did not disappoint with 125 on the ground. That was the most among the 150 UCLA collectively put on UW, who usually only allow 125.8 rushing yards per game.

Offensive Passing Yards

Season Avg (Nat’l Ranking): 176.2 (105th) | Vs. Washington: 272

Before the game against UCLA, Washington only allowed 155.2 passing yards per game. Freshman QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson shattered that stat as he passed for 272 yards. There were not a whole lot of deep balls, just good, timely throws. Caleb Wilson and Theo Howard helped in the receiving department with 102 and 60 yards respectively.

Scoring Offense (Points)

Season Avg (Nat’l Ranking): 17.0 (120th) | Vs. Washington: 24

With great yardage comes great scoring. Sort of. The Bruins did not run up the score but they did put up the most points they have all season. It was also the most points put on Washington this season, who have only allowed 11.6 points per game.

Total Defensive Yards:

Season Avg (Nat’l Ranking): 423.0 (85th) | Vs. Washington: 462

Let me start off the defensive side of this “statistical progress” by stating that these numbers are not great, but they are all less than what they allowed against Colorado last week (#progress). That says something about the Bruins had a better game against a better team.

Defensive Rushing Yards

Season Avg (Nat’l Ranking): 184.5 (86th) | Vs. Washington: 197

UCLA did a solid job holding up the run. Though they gave up more yards than they are accustomed to, they were able to get into the backfield and disrupt Washington’s offense a few times with 2 sacks and 4 tackles for a loss.

Defensive Passing Yards

Season Avg (Nat’l Ranking): 238.5 (79th) | Vs. Washington: 265

This was the worst part of the game, but remember, it was still less than they allowed against Colorado. UCLA with all its youth and depth issues is getting exposed against the pass. The Bruins need to figure this out soon, or it could be a huge issue for them the rest of the season.

Scoring Defense (Points)

Season Avg (Nat’l Ranking): 37.8 (109th) | Vs. Washington: 31

For all the yards the gave up, the Bruins were able to keep the Huskies out of the end zone more than any other team they have faced this season. That’s a plus in my book.