UCLA Football vs Arizona 2018: Three keys to victory

UCLA Football is coming off their first complete game and first win of the 2018 season. They will look to continue trending upwards as Arizona comes to town. Here are three things they must do to turn win number one into a winning streak.

UCLA Football is 1-5 and after losing their first five games, but that one looks glorious. It’s not just that UCLA beat Cal last week. It was how they beat Cal. They ran the ball with authority. The defense stopped the run and create turnovers.

RELATED: We Are Now Seeing How Good UCLA’s Defense Is

Special teams kept the offense in good spots and the team kept mistakes to a minimum. It was complimentary football at its finest and it hinted at a potential future where UCLA football is dominant and competing for Pac-12 titles and even national championships.

But it was only a hint. If five games in your first season is a small sample size, then one game is definitely a small sample size. The team needs to move on and this week, Arizona comes to town. Here are the three things that UCLA Football must do to beat the Wildcats at the Rose Bowl.

Run the ball

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I have been writing for Go Joe Bruin for just over a year now. In that time, I have written a lot of “keys to victory” posts. Most or all of them mention running the ball as a key. It was important last season when UCLA football was one dimensional and leaned exclusively on Josh Rosen and it is important now with a freshman quarterback leading the team. The game will be easier for Dorian-Thompson Robinson if the offense can stay out of third and long situations. One way to do that is to run the ball.

Fortunately, Joshua (what is it with UCLA and Joshes?) Kelley has stepped up in recent weeks and given UCLA football their first threat at running back since Paul Perkins. A lot of credit for this has to go to Boss Tagaloa whose return from suspension solidified the offensive line. Expect DTR to be more active with his feet as well. And with the running game in gear, Chip Kelly can be more creative against Arizona.

Stop the running QB

Arizona QB Khalil Tate has been unhealthy all season long. As a result, he has been unable to pose the dual threat to opponents. Finally, Kevin Sumlin has made the prudent decision to hold him out for the UCLA game and give him time to recover. Rhett Rodriguez will be starting in his place. The good news for UCLA football is that Tate will be on the shelf. The bad news is that Rodriguez is also a dual threat and UCLA has historically struggled to contain those. Additionally, Sumlin and Noel Mazzone are very good at deploying them. To beat Arizona, the running threat from Rodriguez has to be neutralized.

UCLA’s defensive line needs to win the matchup

Arizona’s offensive line has struggled all season. Injuries and suspensions have new players trying to fill new roles. At times, the Wildcats have even given key minutes to a walk-on. Coming off a great performance against Cal, UCLA’s defensive line can turn this into a long game for Rodriguez if they can keep bringing the pressure. With Jaelan Phillips out for the season, a lot falls on the shoulders of one Keisean Lucier-South.

KLS just had the best game of his career and he is about to have an even more favorable matchup. However, he needs help from the rest of his teammates or the Wildcats can scheme him out of the game. Odua Isibor flashed last week with a sack and a forced fumble against Cal. He is one candidate to step up in a suddenly deep defensive line corps. If the defensive line can dominate the matchup, UCLA Football will start a winning streak.

UCLA football takes on the Wildcats on Saturday, October 20th in the Rose Bowl at 7:30 pm. Go Bruins!!