Postgame analysis from UCLA vs Ohio State

UCLA was on the road for their 10th game of the season. A Big Ten match up with the best team in the country. Ohio State took it to them from the first drive of the game. UCLA playing without their starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava due to a concussion. Often struggled on offense and played very conservatively with Luke Duncan starting.

The first half did not have many plays that went positively for the Bruins. They only had two first downs and could not get anything going. The offensive line struggled to get any push and Ohio State just showed the talent difference. The defense played rather well in some parts. But it was deflating going into halftime after a shanked punt gave Ohio State three free points. Leading to a 27-0 deficit.

Coming out of the half, UCLA defense made two stops on drives. Giving them a little bit of confidence, only to have the offense go backwards. Duncan was dealing with a tough hand and had never thrown a pass in college. Now having to start in front of 90,000 fans and the best defense in the nation. You have to applaud for the kid. Ohio State is only giving up seven points per game and the favorite to win back-to-back championships.

After UCLA tried to go for it on fourth down and got stiffed at the line. Ohio State was able to use good field position to drive up the field and take a 34-0 lead. Short field position was a theme of the night leading to easy drives for Julian Sayin even down his top two receivers.

UCLA late in the third quarter let Duncan throw the ball and made two on the money throws to Rico Flores Jr. and Kwazi Gilmer. Leading to a touchdown and giving the Bruins a little bit of spark. Only to have it taken away 14 seconds later by a kick return touchdown. It just was that type of night and there was honestly no way that it was going to be stopped.

Duncan really started to settle in and led another scoring drive that ended in a field goal. Overall, through the nerves and all that was thrown at him, he had a decent game and made some good throws. Not an east spot to be in. 16/23 for 154 yards and a touchdown against the best defense in the country is a positive to build on. UCLA at 3-7 now heads back home to play Washington before finishing the season at USC.

Final score: Ohio State 48 - UCLA 10