The Bob Chesney UCLA Bruins just keep winning. The team is now 8-0 and don’t appear to be slowing down as they enter the second half of the season. The UCLA defense kept Nevada off the scoreboard while picking up a 27-0 win on Halloween at the Rose Bowl.
With the win, UCLA moves just a bit closer to tracking down a College Football Playoff spot and potentially even a chance to play in the Big Ten Conference championship.
Colin Hitschler has the UCLA defense humming
UCLA entered the game as heavy favorites and it was easy to see why. The Nevada offense sputtered all game long, throwing four interceptions and could muster up only 176 yards of offense.
Bruins defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler has had his defense playing exceptional football ever since the group struggled versus Purdue.
Luke Duncan didn't have a welcome return to the Rose Bowl
Nobody
felt the wrath of the UCLA defense quite like former Bruin Luke Duncan. Duncan entered the game seeking some Halloween revenge against his former team but it ended in disaster.
Duncan never got his feet under himself, going 1-8 from the air with three picks before being benched for two different quarterbacks.
Another slow start for the UCLA offense
UCLA’s offense didn’t do too much better for most of the first half, with Ty Dieffenbach and Dean Kennedy’s offense not finding much success at all until the end of the first half. UCLA’s offense put together touchdown drives before and after halftime to provide enough offense for the Bruins.
UCLA's QB change has effected their rushing attack
UCLA’s rushing attack has cooled off since Dieffenbach replaced the injured Nico Iamaleava. Since the injury, teams have dared Dieffenbach to beat them with his arm. Dieffenbach has made throws when he’s needed to but the Bruin rushing attack has felt Iamaleava’s absence significantly.
The Bruins still totaled 125 yards on the ground on Saturday, which is OK, but a steep decrease from how UCLA began the season on the ground.
Bruins need a big-time pass rush
UCLA’s pass rush has been productive this season but Saturday the unit showed a lot of promise, picking up three sacks in the win. For UCLA to make serious noise this season, the pass rush will need to show up in the biggest moments.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: No. 7 UCLA still has some things to improve upon after their 27-0 win
