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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 – SEPTEMBER 01: Dorian Thompson-Robinson #7 of the UCLA Bruins lines up at the line during a 26-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats at Rose Bowl on September 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 01: Dorian Thompson-Robinson #7 of the UCLA Bruins lines up at the line during a 26-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats at Rose Bowl on September 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

3. The Offensive Line Is Slowly Coming Together

It was quite an amazing feat to see the UCLA offensive line hold back one of the best defenses in the nation. The Bruin big men have been slowly improving despite possessing a thin depth chart which has partially caused by the loss of players due to injuries.

Both the O-line and linebackers are a big concern right now as both groups not only started off the season with a lot of inexperience but recently lost a few more players to injury. Last week, the line lost Justin Murphy in the fourth quarter of the Colorado game to a right knee injury. Despite missing him for Washington game, the line held.

Losing Murphy hurt, but the return of Boss Tagaloa came just in time. The converted defensive lineman was key to the O-line pushing forward UCLA’s best offensive performance of the season against Washington.

They opened holes for the running backs and they held back the rush long enough for Thompson-Robinson to throw a career-high 272 yards. Now that they have had a few games to make things work (and do not discount the occasional bump in the road), the line should continue to improve and even help lead the team to a win (or two or three).