UCLA football takes ‘road warrior’ mentality to Utah

3 years ago 343

Coach Chip Kelly and the UCLA shot squad are successful Salt Lake City this play for a pivotal Pac-12 Conference South Division crippled against Utah.

There’s a batch astatine involvement for the Bruins connected Saturday night, immoderate of which carries value beyond this play arsenic the programme looks to crook a country nether Kelly.

UCLA (5-3 overall, 3-2 Pac-12) is coming disconnected its 3rd consecutive location nonaccomplishment of the play and is headed retired of authorities again with a “road warrior” mentality, having won its past 4 league roadworthy games (three this season).

The Bruins, who are trying to stay successful the hunt for the part title, volition look a Utah squad that is unbeaten astatine location this play (3-0). UCLA is looking for its archetypal triumph implicit the Utes (4-3, 3-1) since 2015.

A triumph would besides marque the Bruins vessel eligible for the archetypal clip since 2017.

WHEN UCLA HAS THE BALL

The accumulation of moving backs Zach Charbonnet and Brittain Brown was constricted against an Oregon defence led by Kayvon Thibodeaux and Noah Sewell past week.

The UCLA discourtesy was held to 110 yards rushing past week, the 3rd clip the Bruins person been held beneath 200 yards this play (all losses). The UCLA duo indispensable re-establish the tally against a Utah defence that has allowed astatine slightest 148 rushing yards successful 4 of its 7 games.

There’s inactive a question astir who volition commencement astatine backmost for the Bruins this week. Four-year starter Dorian Thompson-Robinson has a hand/wrist wounded that could support him disconnected the tract oregon bounds his play-making ability.

Kelly has stated that the Bruins stay assured successful redshirt freshman Ethan Garbers if helium is needed. Thompson-Robinson has progressed passim the week and was seen throwing the shot during signifier connected Wednesday, erstwhile reporters were past allowed to presumption practice. Utah manager Kyle Whittingham told section reporters earlier this week that helium would beryllium shocked if Thompson-Robinson did not play.

The UCLA discourtesy produced a accelerated commencement against Oregon, taking a 14-0 pb successful the archetypal quarter. The Bruins would payment from taking a akin attack connected Saturday, careless of the backmost situation, portion Utah’s starring tackler (Devin Lloyd) is serving a first-half suspension due to the fact that of a targeting punishment called during their crippled against Oregon State past week.

The Bruins indispensable besides relationship for Utah antiaircraft extremity Mika Tafua, who leads the Pac-12 with 5½ sacks this season.

WHEN UTAH HAS THE BALL

The Bruins person been susceptible to giving up explosive plays this season, and they volition beryllium without cornerback Cameron Johnson for the archetypal fractional due to the fact that of a targeting penalty.

UCLA indispensable beryllium prepared for backmost Cameron Rising’s passing quality and the likelihood that helium volition trial existent freshman Devin Kirkwood, who is expected to commencement successful spot of Johnson.

“(Rising is) a dynamic player,” Kelly said. “He tin bushed you with his limb and his legs. He seems similar an close passer with a bully grasp of the discourtesy … since he’s been inserted into the lineup they’ve taken disconnected offensively.”

Dalton Kincaid has served arsenic the starring receiver for the Utes, averaging astir 16 yards per catch.

The Bruins besides person to relationship for moving backmost Tavion Thomas, who leads a heavy Utah backfield that includes Micah Bernard and TJ Pledger. Thomas has rushed for 405 yards and six touchdowns this season. UCLA held the Ducks to 121 rushing yards but allowed 5 rushing touchdowns – 4 from Travis Dye.

Britain Covey is different subordinate who has the quality to lend for Utah successful aggregate roles connected discourtesy and arsenic a kicker returner.

On peculiar teams, the Bruins person shown an quality to artifact kicks this play and mightiness person a accidental to marque an interaction play against the Utes, who had 2 kicks blocked past week.