While the UCLA Bruins didn’t come away with a win in the not-so-friendly confines of Happy Valley against #7 Penn State, there was a lot to be encouraged about in the 27-11 defeat that saw the Bruins only get outgained 322-260, actually have more rushing yards than the Nittany Lions, 93-85, and generate a time of possession advantage holding the ball for almost 33 minutes.
Here are three primary insights from a UCLA Bruins’ performance to build upon for season momentum.
Offensive Line Adjustments For UCLA Bruins
As we anticipated, the move to bring Sam Yoon as the starting center and shifting Josh Carlin to his natural position of right guard, paid tremendous dividends.
This reshuffled unit only allowed two sacks to arguably the nation’s most ferocious pass rush and enabled three running backs, TJ Harden (26 yards), Keegan Jones (38 yards), and Jalen Berger (38 yards) to go for over 100 yards rushing, with the latter two going north of four yards per carry at 7.6 and 4.2, respectively.
The unit certainly was outmatched at times to a bigger, stronger, and more physical Nittany Lions front, but held their own surprisingly more times than not, in what finally looks like the definitive starting five, with Spencer Holstege, Garrett DiGiorgio and Niki Prongos, complementing the aforementioned Yoon and Carlin, moving forward.
Also Read: Check Out Our UCLA Bruins Podcast
Emergence Of Edge Pressure
For all the talk about Justyn Martin’s first career start (and we’ll get to that in just a second), the player of the game for the Bruins was Femi Oladejo.
The emphasis on having Oladejo start and exclusively play defensive end was a brilliant shift from defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe.
Oladejo was a one-man wrecking crew en route to 10 total tackles, five via the solo variety, one sack, and two tackles for loss. Oladejo’s wide frame coupled with his straight line burst along with his upper body strength seems to be more conducive to the edge rather than middle linebacker.
His repeated disruption of zone-stretch runs, winning individual battles to penetrate the backfield, and consistent edge-setting ability will only get better with more reps over the season’s final seven games. The Bruins centerpiece edge presence has finally arrived.
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Justin Martyn And Eric Bieniemy Evolution
The 6’4, 220-pound redshirt sophomore from Inglewood was sensational, considering this was his first career start in arguably the toughest venue in all of college football.
Martyn’s 22-30 for 167 yards and one touchdown was exemplified by rapid decision-making, impressive arm angles on quick throws, and poise to stay in the pocket as long as needed on critical down conversions to find his outlet receivers.
That latter skillset was most impressive as he found Logan Loya on two third-down conversions and Moliki Matavao on a successful fourth down over the first two drives. He also found Loya on a fourth down on the Bruins’ final drive to set up the lone touchdown.
Martyn’s performance was greatly aided by Eric Bieniemy’s best play-called game of the year, with a clear emphasis on shorter routes exclusively to underneath targets such as slot receiver Loya, tight end Matavao, and running back Harden.
Those three combined for 14 catches and 134 yards, highlighted by a poised 53-yard wheel route to Harden setting up UCLA’s first points of the day and the one-yard touchdown by Loya on the Bruins’ final possession with 16 seconds left.
Yes, it was a loss. But with the strategic corrections made by this coaching staff, UCLA Bruins fans should be pleasantly surprised by the possibility of a second-half season run now that the schedule gauntlet is in the rearview. With winnable games against the likes of Minnesota, Iowa, Rutgers, Fresno State, and Washington ahead, UCLA has a chance to get to bowl eligibility. Fours Up.