Facing the Pac-12’s elite –No. 2 Oregon and No. 6 Stanford—on each of the last two Saturdays produced a perfect storm of
not quite good enough football for UCLA.
The offense of the No. 17 Bruins (5-2, 2-2 Pac-12) scored just 24 points in two games, with a defense that has been bending lately as a result of long stints on the field and an entire team suffering from the effects of injured starters.
Despite two consecutive choppy performances, this week’s return home for a Saturday bout against Colorado (3-4, 0-4) might be an opportunity to reraise the mast and put some wind in the team’s droopy sails.
“Calm seas don’t make great sailors,” said Noel Mazzone, the team’s offensive coordinator. “It’s been rough seas for the last two weeks. I’m proud of a lot of things they’ve grown up with these last couple weeks.”
Just a week after UCLA threw just 64 yards in a 42-14 loss to Oregon, the Bruins’ aerial strategy has been put under the microscope, particularly due to a series of often-run swing passes that, lately, have yielded little to no gain. Oregon’s safeties caught on to the catch-and-run plan, and apparently, so has Mazzone’s family.
“That’s one of the thing my mom calls me about all the time,” he said, laughing. “‘You’re throwing too many of those swing passes.’”
Jokes aside, the second-year UCLA offensive coordinator agreed there is a need to change up the offense’s looks. When asked about the possibility of installing more downfield pass plays, he said, “Yes. No doubt.”
Last week, the Bruins started three true freshmen along the offensive line and, although the rookies faced some unscouted looks up front, they allowed just three sacks to an Oregon defense that applied tremendous pressure all evening. A downfield mentality was never established, and Hundley, having gone through his progressions, frequently took off running. The redshirt sophomore found difficulty setting his feet to the tune of two interceptions.
“I think we’ve been getting a lot of pressure. Playing good defenses, you’re always getting some things that maybe you haven’t seen before,” said sophomore wide receiver Devin Fuller. “Brett’s trying to go through his progressions while he’s scrambling out of the pocket, and playing good defenses, they’re going to make you pay.”
So far this season, the Buffaloes’ defense has been picking up the tab for opposing offenses. Colorado ranks 105th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in passing yards allowed per game with 268 and has intercepted a pedestrian seven passes this season. After two pretty discouraging performances through the air, the UCLA offense might be able to repair a machine that pumped out no fewer than 34 points a game leading up to Stanford.
“It’s good to be back home and get back refocused and revamped up for this stretch run,” said redshirt senior wide receiver Shaquelle Evans. “We know the Pac-12 title is still in our control, so it’s a great week to get back on track.”
For a defense that held Oregon to just two touchdowns in the first half last Saturday before surrendering three in the fourth quarter, the transition to Colorado should be a welcome one. Replacing Oregon’s arsenal of athletes will be a much more balanced offensive attack from Colorado.
The Buffs’ leading widereceiver, junior Paul Richardson, has caught 914 of 1746 Colorado receiving yards through seven games, but, according to The Denver Post, has a sprained ankle and didn’t practice on Tuesday.
The Bruins are listed as 28-point favorites heading into the Pac-12 matchup, but would breathe a sigh of relief were the speedy Richardson to be a Saturday scratch.
“I had read where he had a boot on on Monday and it would be a really great thing if he had a boot on on Saturday because that guy can scare you,” coach Jim Mora jokingly said Tuesday.