The LSU Tigers are in an ideal position heading into their home matchup with UCLA. Coming off a thrilling 36-33 win at South Carolina, the Tigers are starting to slowly find their identity for this season.
But it’s still a long road ahead.
UCLA, however, is coming off of a bye week following a 42-13 loss to Indiana. While the Bruins kept it close in the first half, Indiana took control of its offense in the second, allowing the Hoosiers to run away with the game.
We were back in the film room to see what’s gone well for UCLA and what hasn’t. Here are the takeaways:
Struggling run game
With LSU’s run game struggling overall this season, UCLA is right there with the Tigers. In both of the Bruins’ games this season, they failed to eclipse 100 rushing yards and have just one touchdown on the ground.
The lone touchdown came from T.J. Harden, who has a team-leading 21 carries for 57 yards and a score. However, the Bruins’ quarterback, Ethan Garbers, leads the team in rushing yards with 68 yards on 14 carries.
Because of this, the Bruins have mostly looked to their pass game.
Against Hawaii, UCLA totaled 272 yards in the air, but against Indiana, it was held to 142. Rico Flores Jr. is UCLA’s leading receiver with 133 yards on five catches, and he has the Bruins’ lone receiving touchdown.
Being that UCLA’s run-game has struggled, the key for the Tigers’ defense is to force Garbers to make quick decisions. Thus far on the season, Garbers has thrown three interceptions, all of which he made while being pressured in the pocket. LSU getting to the quarterback may have a chain reaction for the defense’s success.
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Versatile linebackers
With a 13-10 lead over UCLA, Hawaii quarterback Brayden Schager, dropped back to pass on 2nd and 10 in the third quarter. Kain Medrano came down to the line of scrimmage, shedded a block from the opposing offensive guard, and applied pressure on Schager. He hit Schager downhill, and forced Schager to throw an interception.
UCLA’s linebackers are the center point of the defense. Medrano leads the Bruins in total tackles with 14 and also has a forced fumble on the season. Oluwafemi Oladejo is right behind Medrano with 10 total tackles along with a pass deflection, and Carson Schwesinger has nine total tackles with a forced fumble.
The Bruins’ linebacker room is also very versatile. Against Hawaii, Medrano and Oladejo both took snaps from off the edge. In fact, Oladejo forced a turnover on downs with a tackle off the edge on 4th and 2 in the second quarter.
Defense is blitz-heavy, but can be slowed
It’s a normal sight to see players in UCLA’s secondary crash down and to get to the quarterback. The Bruins have five sacks as a defense thus far this season, all of which came in the second half against Hawaii.
UCLA’s defense shined brightest against Hawaii, where the Bruins totaled 11 tackles for loss in their 16-13 win over the Rainbow Warriors. However, against Indiana, where UCLA lost 42-13, the Bruins came up with just four.
The Hoosiers offensive line controlled UCLA’s defense, giving their quarterback, Kurtis Rourke, enough time in the pocket for the offense to work vertically down the field. UCLA’s defense came up empty on sacks and gave up 430 yards of total offense in the loss.
The key for LSU’s offense is for the offensive line to anticipate the blitzes in order to give the backfield the ability to work.
In both of UCLA’s games, the Bruins’ defense had an easier time stopping the run. Against Hawaii, the Bruins’ defense allowed 51 yards on the ground, but 227 yards in the air.
If the offensive line can prepare for blitzes from UCLA’s defense, Garrett Nussmeier will be able to get the ball down the field which will be enough to throw the Bruins off balance.
