GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: UCLA’s offensive line vs. Washington’s front seven. Offensive line play has been a recurring issue for UCLA well before the 2018 season. The Bruins ranked No. 109 for sacks allowed in 2013; No. 120 in 2014; and despite improvement in 2015 (No. 10) and 2016 (No. 44), sit at 110th through four games of 2018.
Washington’s pass rush is not as prolific in 2018 as in recent seasons (eight sacks in five games, a 1.6-per game average, compared to last year’s 39 in 13 for 3-per game average). Still, with UCLA struggling with depth issues, compounded by the injury of Justin Murphy, the threat of a talented Washington front seven attacking the Bruins aggressively could dictate the tone of Saturday evening’s contest.
DRAFT SLANT
–OT Andre James, a 4-star-ranked recruit coming to UCLA from high school, boasts prototypical NFL size at 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds. NFLDraftScout.com ranks him No. 15 out of 93 rated offensive tackles, and he comes into Saturday’s matchup off a mixed-bag performance. Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Daily News notes that RB Joshua Kelley gained the bulk of his rushing yardage on James’ left side, but the tackle also surrendered a critical sack on UCLA’s second drive of the game.
ROSTER REPORT:
–OL Justin Murphy is questionable for Saturday’s game with an unspecified injury.
–WR Christian Pabico is questionable with a knee injury. Pabico missed the game at Colorado, and after coming on strong late in the 2017 season, has just four receptions for 46 yards in his three appearances.
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