LOS ANGELES — Even while winning all six of its games in different ways, the UCLA football team has cultivated a consistent identity.
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“Our identity as a football team,” offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy said Wednesday, “is for us to be connected, and to be the hardest-playing offense in the country.”
That has manifested itself in a physical, effective and explosive downhill rushing attack that ranks sixth in the FBS, averaging 231 yards per game. That’s where the foundation of the Bruins’ offense lies.
But over the last two weeks, as they averaged 130 yards per game, that number dropped from second in the nation at 281 yards per game.
The heights UCLA had reached through its first four games was a hard bar to maintain, especially as it faced its toughest opponents to that point, as Oregon and Wisconsin boast a capable front-seven. On top of those factors, the struggles – comparatively – in the Bruins’ running game could be attributed to defenses adapting to their offensive line rotations and loading the box against a backup quarterback.
With the hopes of qualifying for the 12-team College Football Playoff, UCLA needs to rediscover its rushing attack down the stretch. Its first chance for resurgence comes Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at the Rose Bowl against Michigan State.
“What needs to happen?” Kennedy said. “We need to execute a little bit better, but (Wisconsin’s) defense was really good.”
Through the first four weeks, UCLA (6-0 overall, 4-0 Big Ten) averaged 7.5 rushing attempts per game that gained at least 10 yards and averaged 7 yards per attempt. The Bruins had only three runs of 10-plus yards in each game against Oregon and Wisconsin and ran for 3.1 yards per attempt.
Despite those struggles, UCLA stuck with the running game in both matchups.
Against Oregon, it helped control the time of possession, resulting in a desperate Ducks team committing mindless turnovers.
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Against Wisconsin, maintaining that volume helped the offense stay on schedule, setting up third-and-manageable situations. The Bruins kept the defense honest, allowing quarterback Ty Dieffenbach, in his first start for UCLA, to dissect base coverages and utilize play-action, rollouts and bootlegs.
“It didn’t go as we wanted it to go, but at the same point in time, it still allowed us to have open receivers,” Kennedy said. “That’s one of our big beliefs: We’re not going to abandon from either side of (the offense). When one side of it might not be working, it’s the other’s job to step up. But at the same time, you’re still putting pressure on the defense by making them think you’re going to run the ball or pass the ball.”
UCLA’s passing game compensated Saturday, as Dieffenbach, stepping in for the injured Nico Iamaleava, threw for 264 yards. But staying committed to the running game played a factor in opening up the field.
But to achieve what they want, the Bruins must rediscover effectiveness on the ground.
“I don’t think we have to be anybody different than ourselves,” Kennedy said.
UCLA won’t stray from its three-back attack, from rotating offensive linemen or from deploying just about any formation or personnel grouping in the book. The Bruins have had success with end-arounds to receivers, read- and speed-options and running out of the Wildcat. Stick with it, remain creative and success will likely return.
Additionally, now that Dieffenbach’s proved himself, defenses will have to respect his abilities, and play with lighter boxes. And with left tackle Jordan Davis still out, UCLA must tinker with its lineman configurations.
Michigan State (2-5, 0-4) offers a playground to rediscover effectiveness as the Spartans allow 141 running yards per game (14th in the 18-team Big Ten).
Inevitably, as UCLA pursues a CFP berth, there will be games in which the passing attack fails, and needs the running game to carry it, as was the case against Cal and San Diego State. After the Wisconsin game, the two sides are even – a healthy give and take.
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Michigan State at No. 9 UCLA
When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
Where: Rose Bowl
TV/Radio: CBS (Ch. 2)/790 AM