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Sep 17, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) saves a high snap in the fourth quarter against the Brigham Young Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
There were some surprises and there some question marks with different position groups on the UCLA Football team in there win over BYU. Here is are our grades for the Bruins.
It was a good win for the UCLA Football team as they defeated BYU 17-14 in Provo, Utah. Some parts of the game showed promise while others left much to be desired.
Here is our position group report card for UCLA in their latest contest:
Quarterbacks: B-
This was a hard grade to give. On one hand, UCLA QB Josh Rosen still looked like he was stuck in low gear with overthrown balls and inaccurate passes. He also struggled to move the ball in he first two drives.
On the other hand, things improved as the game went on. Rosen completed 65% of his passes on a 26-for-40 performance. Despite one interception, he did throw 2 touchdowns. The stat of the night came from his 307 yard passing display. If this is imporvement, I like where it is headed.
Running Backs: C+
It is really hard to get yards when the running back rotation is is like a Jackson Pollock painting. For some reason, lead rusher Soso Jamabo did not suit up and Head Coach Jim Mora‘s reason was, “he did not play”.
It was also perplexing why UCLA is not relying more on the experience of Nate Starks and Bolu Olorunfunmi. In early critical plays, freshman Brandon Stephens was picked over the other two and had trouble executing.
Whatever the reason for all this was, it did not help the run game which only collected 52 total yards. That will not do against anteam like Stanford who plays UCLA next.
Receivers: B
Rosen once again had several targets to throw to and many players stepped up. It even seems UCLA has a go-to receiver in Darren Andrews who had 91 yards on 4 receptions. He also had a beauty of a catch that went for a touchdown which distanced the Bruins from the Cougars in the second half.
Fullback Cameron Griffin also had a TD catch which stated the scoring for UCLA. With the Bruins throwing the ball to multiple players at multiple positions. It appears the receiver are starting to mesh with their QB.
Offensive Line: B-
This was also a hard grade to give. They did not help the running game and allowed the BYU defenders into the back field several times. But they also protected Rosen well enough to allow him to pass for over 300 yards.
If they can get the balance right with both the run and the pass, then they should be alright going forward. But how soon can they get that going?
Sep 17, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive back Tahaan Goodman (21) and defensive back Adarius Pickett (6) reacts after a second quarter play against the Brigham Young Cougars at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Line: B+
“Defensive improvements” is an undernstatment. UCLA had one sack in their first two games. Against BYU, they had four in the first half with two coming from the D-Line. Rick Wade broke onto the scene with a couple tackles, one of which was a sack. Takkarist McKinley also had a sack as he came back from a groin injury.
The return of Eddie Vanderdoes also helped as he clogged the middle of the line. In the first half, UCLA limited BYU to -9 yards rushing and a game total of 23. Quite impressive.
Linebackers: A
All I can say is that Jayon Brown is a beast. He was all over the field and attacking the Cougar offense. He had a team-high 7 tackles which included one sack.
Kenny Young continued to impress as he registered five tackles and a sack in consecutive games (he got his first last week against UNLV). The LBs caught some flack the week before, but were a changed squad this past weekend.
Defensive Backs: A-
For the most part, the DBs were ferocious. Adarius Pickett, Nate Meadors and Fabian Moreau had thrree or more tackles. Pickett also snagged an interception early in the game as the Bruins shut out BYU in the first half.
Though the Bruins could afford to give up a touchdown late in the game, does not mean they should have. UCLA played conservatively to end the game with prevent defense and it prevented nothing as BYU hauled in a late TD catch.
Special Teams: B+
Kicker JJ Molson missed a 38-yard field goal attempt. Though he should have made it, he did hit another later in the game. Punter Austin Kent stayed consistent and helped control field position once again. Kent averaged 43.5 yards per punt with a long of 53.
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Final Grade: B
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