Close loss to Huskies provides optimism for 0-5 UCLA
UCLA’s most recent loss was its fifth, dropping the Bruins to 0-5 for the first time since 1943. Coming out of a 31-24 defeat to Washington, however, UCLA leaves with the most reason for optimism since opening the 2018 season.
“It was a huge step up,” said defensive end Osa Odighizuwa. “Our effort was never a question, it was just our execution, and it will continue to improve.”
The Bruins’ 24 points are the most a Washington defense that came leading in the nation in points allowed per game has yielded. UCLA (0-5, 0-2 Pac-12 Conference) battled back from a 17-point halftime deficit to twice trail by just one score, and the final, seven-point margin was the Bruins’ closest yet in 2018.
UCLA is inching closer to its first win in coach Chip Kelly’s first season, which could come at the expense of this week’s opponent, Cal.
“UCLA’s a good team, and everything game they’ve played, they played a good opponent,” said Washington defensive back Myles Bryant.
Cal (3-2, 0-2) is the fifth UCLA opponent to have been ranked in the Top 25. However, the Golden Bears’ stay in the polls was abbreviated. They dropped out after a Sept. 29 loss to Oregon, and with a 24-17 defeat last week at Arizona, Cal returns home to Memorial Stadium in Berkeley as UCLA’s only multiple-loss opponent thus far in the campaign.
Saturday’s matchup is one of two teams seeking their offensive identity. The insertion of dual-threat quarterback Brandon McIlwain into the Cal lineup gives the Golden Bears run game punch, but they’ve also been turnover-prone in their last two contests. Arizona scored both of its second-half touchdowns off interceptions.
UCLA was sputtering on offense through its first four games, but the 422 yards recorded against Washington showed progress. Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson played his best game with 272 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns, while running back Joshua Kelley eclipsed 100 yards for a second consecutive week en route to 125 yards and a touchdown.