The UCLA Bruins rushing woes were on full display in their 34-13 loss to Oregon, a game where the Bruins managed just 47 total rushing yards.
This marks a significant drop from the 198 rushing yards per game UCLA averaged last season to just 60 yards per game this year, the largest decline in all of FBS.
The inability to run the ball has been a glaring issue for the Bruins and was once again a critical factor in their latest defeat at the Rose Bowl.
UCLA Bruins Offense Reaches New Lows In Loss To Oregon
Oregon Pass Rushers Living In The Backfield
Oregon’s defense dominated the trenches, with their rushers seemingly hanging out in the Bruins’ backfield on nearly every play.
While TJ Harden was expected to carry the load for UCLA, he was swallowed up on most of his attempts, finishing with just 53 yards on 13 carries. Despite a season-long 21-yard rush in the third quarter, Harden, like the rest of the Bruins’ backs, found little room to maneuver as Oregon’s defensive front consistently closed gaps.
The struggles weren’t limited to just Harden. The offensive line couldn’t create enough running lanes, allowing Oregon defenders to disrupt UCLA’s rushing attack before it even began. This issue left UCLA’s offense in a predictable pattern, as they failed to generate any momentum on the ground.
Play Action With No Punch
Despite their struggles to establish the run, UCLA continued to lean on play-action passes in an attempt to spark their offense. However, with Oregon’s defense well aware that the Bruins posed little threat on the ground, the play-action schemes were largely ineffective.
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Without a solid rushing attack to keep the defense honest, Oregon didn’t bite on the fakes, which led to more pressure on quarterback Ethan Garbers. As a result, Garbers was left scrambling, trying to buy time as Oregon’s pass rushers relentlessly closed in.
Offensive Line Struggles Persist
The UCLA Bruins’ offensive line has been a problem all season, and Saturday’s game was no exception. Oregon’s defensive linemen regularly pushed through UCLA’s front five, forcing Garbers into hurried decisions and eliminating any chance for Harden or Keegan Jones to find running lanes.
UCLA’s offensive line simply hasn’t held up, contributing to the steep drop-off in rushing production.
Senior lineman Josh Carlin acknowledged the group’s underperformance, saying, “We failed miserably. We need to take more pride in keeping Garbers upright and getting our run game going”.
Ethan Garbers Under Fire
Without a reliable run game, Garbers was left to carry the offense under constant pressure. He finished 12-of-20 for 118 yards and two interceptions, sacked three times, and hurried on several other occasions.
Oregon’s defensive front took advantage of the UCLA Bruins lack of balance, shutting down the run game and focusing their efforts on disrupting Garbers in the passing game. The lack of a rushing threat and game script led to the game being on Garbers’ shoulders.
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“He’s doing everything he can, but it’s tough to play quarterback when you’re getting hit all the time,” Foster said after the game.
Garbers has now thrown six interceptions in four games, often the result of being forced into rushed decisions under duress.
Oregon’s Dominance In The Run Game
Meanwhile, Oregon’s offense had no such issues on the ground, outgaining UCLA 198 rushing yards to 47. Oregon’s ability to consistently move the ball on the ground allowed them to control the tempo and keep UCLA’s defense on the field for long stretches of time. The stark contrast in the two teams’ rushing games was one of the primary factors in the result.
A Bright Spot: Defensive Effort
While UCLA’s offense struggled, the defense showed flashes of resilience. Bryan Addison’s 96-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the first half was a much-needed spark, momentarily cutting Oregon’s lead and energizing the Rose Bowl crowd. However, without offensive support, UCLA’s defense couldn’t hold off Oregon’s balanced attack.
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Linebacker Carson Schwesinger played a key role in keeping Oregon’s ground game somewhat in check, finishing as UCLA’s leading tackler.
Despite his efforts, Oregon’s ability to convert on third downs and maintain possession wore down the Bruins’ defense.
Looking Ahead
The UCLA Bruins 1-3 start puts their season in jeopardy, and if they don’t fix their offensive line and rushing game issues soon, things could spiral further.
With a daunting matchup against Penn State looming, UCLA needs to regroup quickly.
Coach Foster remained optimistic, stating, “We’ve got to keep building. This is tough, but we can turn it around”.
For now, UCLA’s offensive line must find a way to create running lanes and protect Garbers, or they’ll continue to face pressure-packed games in the Big 10.