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UCLA Football: Five things we learned about the Bruins’ progress vs. UW

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 06: Running back Joshua Kelley #27 of the UCLA Bruins runs into the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Washington Huskies at the Rose Bowl on October 6, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 06: Running back Joshua Kelley #27 of the UCLA Bruins runs into the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Washington Huskies at the Rose Bowl on October 6, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 06: Wide receiver Aaron Fuller #2 of the Washington hangs on to the ball in front of defensive back Nate Meadors #22 of the UCLA Bruins for a touch down on the first quarter of the game at the Rose Bowl on October 6, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 06: Wide receiver Aaron Fuller #2 of the Washington hangs on to the ball in front of defensive back Nate Meadors #22 of the UCLA Bruins for a touch down on the first quarter of the game at the Rose Bowl on October 6, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

2. The Pass Defense Still Has Holes In It

The defense is making a lot of improvements, but they still have a few issues they are dealing with. UCLA was known for having a solid pass defense throughout the Jim Mora era and that was believed to carry through into the Kelly era.

The Bruins are deep and have a lot of talent among their DBs. Adarius Pickett, Quentin Lake, Nate Meadors, and Darnay Holmes are all among the top eight tackles on the team, so there is activity, but QBs are still able to get the ball to open receivers.

The give and take here has to do with the linebackers who have not necessarily struck fear into the hearts of the opposition, at least from a collective standpoint.

If teams are looking to pass against the Bruins, they will do so across the middle of the field. UCLA has had several injuries and is utilizing a lot of youth, which also means there is a lot of inexperience. We once again saw an elite QB dissect the Bruins’ pass defense as Washington’s Jake Browning threw for 265 yards against UCLA.

The Bruins have really been tested in the first five games of the season as four of the five starting QBs they have faced are all among the top 40 in passing yards per game. Though they have faced big-time competition, they still need to figure out how to lock down that competition.