UCLA Football’s offense, led by Eric Bieniemy, has been underwhelming through the first two games of the season, scoring just 16 points against Hawai’i in a narrow three-point win and only managing 13 points in a 42-13 loss to Indiana. While Bieniemy’s offensive schemes thrived in Kansas City with Patrick Mahomes, his more complex NFL-style system might be too advanced for UCLA’s college roster. Quarterback Ethan Garbers has struggled to execute the system efficiently, with UCLA’s passing game stalling frequently.
Bieniemy Offense Failing To Translate TO UCLA Football
Against Hawai’i, Garbers threw for just 272 yards, managing one touchdown late in the third quarter. The Bruins struggled to generate offense, relying on late-game field goals to edge past a Rainbow Warriors team that capitalized on early UCLA mistakes.
In the follow-up game against Indiana, Garbers threw for only 137 yards, constantly under duress and unable to push the ball downfield. The Bruins were held scoreless until just before halftime, and their inability to sustain drives highlighted growing concerns with the play-calling.
Bieniemy, known for his creative offensive playbook in the NFL, has yet to tailor his system to fit the skillset of UCLA’s young and developing offense. The complex passing concepts, which rely on precise timing and decision-making, are obviously too much for Garbers and his supporting cast at this stage. Furthermore, UCLA’s offensive line has struggled to protect its quarterback, making it difficult to execute plays that take time to develop.
During his time with the Chiefs, Bieniemy orchestrated one of the league’s most dynamic offenses, thanks largely to Mahomes’ improvisational abilities. However, without a quarterback of Mahomes’ caliber, UCLA’s offense has looked disjointed, with Garbers frequently holding onto the ball too long, leading to sacks and missed opportunities. It’s no coincidence that Sam Howell who Bieniemy coached last season was sacked the most times in the NFL. The offense has also failed to establish a consistent run game, further limiting Bieniemy’s options. Most notably, UCLA’s best playmakers haven’t gotten the ball with Sturdivant and Loya barely involved.
As head coach DeShaun Foster stated following the Indiana loss, “We’re executing at practice, but it is not carrying over to the game.” This reflects a larger issue with how Bieniemy’s schemes are translating to game day, as the Bruins have struggled to execute basic concepts when it matters.
While it’s early in the season, Bieniemy will need to adjust his system to better suit UCLA’s personnel, particularly Garbers, who needs more protection and simpler reads to regain confidence. Otherwise, the Bruins risk more lackluster offensive performances in the challenging Big Ten schedule ahead.
