GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Beyond a blowout loss against Oregon, the Cal run defense has been solid throughout 2018. Three of the Golden Bears’ five opponents averaged 3.65 yards per carry or less. LB Evan Weaver and Jordan Kunaszyk are aggressive against the run, preventing opponents from getting past the second level. UCLA’s resurgent second half against Washington was sparked, in part, because the UW defense had to respect the run from Joshua Kelley. Reestablishing him against a good Cal front seven is critical to keep the Golden Bears’ greedy secondary from swarming on QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s passes.
DRAFT SLANT
–S Adarius Pickett has been a veteran lynchpin for the UCLA defense and comes into the Cal game off his best statistical performance of the season — if not his career. Facing a Bears team with seven interceptions thrown in its last two games should provide Pickett ample opportunity to further pad his resume.
ROSTER REPORT:
–OL Justin Murphy is questionable for Saturday’s game with an unspecified injury. Murphy missed the Washington loss.
–DE/LB Jaelan Phillips, who has missed considerable time over each of the past two seasons, is scratched from the lineup again at Cal.
–LB Je’Vari Anderson is questionable with an unspecified injury.
–WR Kyle Phillips is ruled out due to an unspecified injury.
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