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UCLA Football: Time of possession, offensive balance and tempo

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 06: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins on the sidelines during the second half 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: Head coach Chip Kelly of the UCLA Bruins on the sidelines during the second half 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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NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson #7 hands off to running back Kazmeir Allen #19 of the UCLA Bruins at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Bruins 49-21. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson #7 hands off to running back Kazmeir Allen #19 of the UCLA Bruins at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Bruins 49-21. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

The Balance of Offense

So how are these plays being divided up? It was believed that Kelly would install a run-based system, though it seems as if he is relying more on the pass. UCLA ran the ball 50 times against Oklahoma, the most this season, though that only resulted in 129 yards and 2.6 yards per attempt. Not exactly what Kelly had in mind, I’m sure.

Against Fresno State, the ball was run more than it was passed, but not by much. Since then he has shifted the responsibility to QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and his arm. Some might question this tactic, but if the Bruins can be successful throwing the ball, that opens up the run game. To an extent, it has.

Against Colorado, UCLA was able to run and pass, albeit only in the first half. UCLA fell apart in the second, succumbing to several three and outs which disallowed them to sustain drives. It also did not help that DTR was off the mark with several passes. Still, that was the first of two consecutive games in which RB Joshua Kelley ran for over 100 yards. It also marked the return of Boss Tagaloa at center.

Against Washington, there were improvements all around. DTR had a better passing performance. He had to, especially in the first half when he threw the ball 17 times as opposed to handing it off for the run eight times. But as we saw in the second half, UCLA evened things out between the pass and the run and that made a world of difference. It opened up the offense and the Bruins were able to put up the most points and total yards in a game this season, against the best defense in the country, no less.

Keep in mind, the offensive line played very well against the Huskies and part of that had to do with the addition of Tagaloa. The improvement of the line not only gave DTR the opportunity to pass for 272 yards but also helped Kelley as he ran for a season-high 125. Adn that led to …