UCLA Football: Play call/outcome analysis from the Stanford game

PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 24: Wilton Speight #3 of the UCLA Bruins passes the ball under pressure from Gabe Reid #90 of the Stanford Cardinal during the second half of a game at the Rose Bowl on November 24, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

YPP Chart

After all that ranting about the abandoned run game, it’s hard to argue with the 2nd half yardage production. Negative plays (mostly sacks) were increased this week as a result of all that passing. Game-deciding possessions 13 and 14 were pretty futile other than two long Caleb Wilson catches.

Game Summary

Check-With-Me FINALLY had a bad outing, for the first time all year (0% pass success rate, 2.5 YPP, 27% overall success rate). It looked like the checks were IZR oriented as a change up from a called pass to a run, and used mostly in the 2nd half (13 of 15 checks in 2nd half). Whatever Chip built into the check package for this week was unfortunately badly designed for whatever Stanford was doing.

1st down and non-passing down results were really good, it was when they fall behind into 3rd down that the wheels came off of a lot of drives (21% success rate on 3rd down). They went for a whopping five 4th downs and mostly converted passing (80% pass plays, 60% success rate). I continue to be thrilled that we have a head coach that understands 4th down statistics (sorry, recovering Charger fan here…) and isn’t concerned about how he’s going to explain a failed 4th down to the press.