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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 15: Dorian Thompson-Robinson #7 of the UCLA Bruins passes during the second quarter against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Rose Bowl on September 15, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 15: Dorian Thompson-Robinson #7 of the UCLA Bruins passes during the second quarter against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Rose Bowl on September 15, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

5. It Was a Good Call to Keep Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the Game

After the Colorado game, many UCLA analysts were calling for head coach Chip Kelly to sit freshman quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson after an atrocious second half. Those cries might have been warranted, but it was a little premature, especially considering the QB situation.

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A few weeks earlier, the Bruins lost Josh Rosen’s backup from last season, Devon Modster, who announced that he would be transferring from the program. Additionally, the starter in the season opener, Wilton Speight, is apparently not 100% after sustaining a back injury in that opener.

That only left Matt Lynch and Austin Burton as possible backups, but they might not have been the best selections considering they were not considered to be in the running for the starting gig late in fall camp.

Still, keeping DTR in the game was a smart move as it not only creates consistency but will help the freshman grow, and he did just that against Washington. Not only did he have a game/season/career-high 272 passing yards, but he helped UCLA put up the most points and total yards against one of the best defenses in the country.

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Though he still had a few passes he would like to take back, his overall production helped the Bruins take a big step into the future as they try to get Chip Kelly’s system into place. As UCLA moves forward, DTR should continue to learn and grow and that is dangerous for his opponents.