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Fansided

UCLA Football: What we learned in Bruins’ loss to Colorado

By Jason Kinander

BOULDER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 07: Isaiah Lewis #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes breaks up a pass to Demetric Felton #10 of the UCLA Bruins in the first quarter at Folsom Field on November 07, 2020 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
BOULDER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 07: Isaiah Lewis #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes breaks up a pass to Demetric Felton #10 of the UCLA Bruins in the first quarter at Folsom Field on November 07, 2020 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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BOULDER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 07: Jarek Broussard #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes carries the ball against the UCLA Bruins in the first quarter at Folsom Field on November 07, 2020 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
BOULDER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 07: Jarek Broussard #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes carries the ball against the UCLA Bruins in the first quarter at Folsom Field on November 07, 2020 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

1. The run-stop defense is easily the team’s biggest weakness

The run-stop defense from UCLA was an absolute disaster on Saturday. The Bruins allowed 264 yards and five (yes, five) touchdowns on the ground in a disasterous display of defense.

Not much explanation is needed. The Bruins had no idea how to stop the run. The worst part is that absolutely none of those 250+ yards were from runs of 50 or more yards. The Buffaloes longest run on the night was 37 yards. The Bruins consistently gave up first down after first down.

Colorado running back Jarek Broussard had quite the game, running for 187 yards and three touchdowns on 31 rushes. The game was Broussard’s collegiate debut, but you would have had zero clue based on how well he looked.

Once the Buffaloes were able to identify how dismal the Bruins were at stopping the run, they did nothing but run, which helped them build their lead. The Buffaloes ran the ball 59 times, throwing the ball just 33 times. The run-stop defense was such a glaring weakness of the Bruins that it seemed like both teams knew exactly what was coming, but UCLA still could not stop it throughout all four quarters.

With games against Utah and Oregon coming up, arguably the two best offenses in the conference last season, the Bruins will have less than a week to shore up their defense.

If Saturday’s game was an indication of anything, I think we can all expect the Bruins’ five remaining opponents to go very run-heavy in their matchups.