UCLA- What Did We Learn

I was at the game. Props to the Husker fans which outnumbered the Bruin fans.

This was the EJ and TJ show. The pass plays to EJ were big with two TDs. In the run game, OL made some holes and EJ did the rest.

If you don’t turn the ball over you likely are going to win. Neither team turned it over or put the ball on the ground. Really loved that TJ did not turn it over and made some key throws and good runs.

Barney needs to put on some weight, he’s elusive but also gets crushed out there.

Let’s talk defense. They were on the field a lot. Not having McCullough was a big void. He’s the best at wreaking havoc in the backfield and UCLA QB would have felt him out there.

The secondary played well and had some swagger. I was surprised UCLA did not throw more deep. Both UCLA and USC were limited in big air strikes. We need the Lockdowm U shirts back!

We could not get off the field though on third down. The fake punt deep in their territory was balsy. But our one 4th down stop was critical.

I think Butler and the defense is a work in progress. It’s obvious our front 7 is weak and we give up way too much in the run game. No spy on Nico was head scratching. Then again he just made a few crazy plays for them to keep drives going.

We have got to slow PSU and Iowa in the run game. TJ now has more time to prepare as we’ll need others beside EJ to help him. These next two games are toss ups. I can see the team that doesn’t turn it over wins.
 
BigRedBuster said:
We lost two very close games to good ranked teams. We had one 💩 of a game against still a decent team. We are 7-3.

If we could have made just a couple more plays against USC, we would still be in the playoff discussion.

We aren’t national championship level. But, we aren’t as bad as you claim we are sometimes.
Click to expand...
Should of, could of, would of, but we didn't. Dylan getting hurt cost us the game, but we let them come back form 14 down and win. Great teams don't let that happen. They create a way to win. We are getting better in that as we are now actually winning 1 score games. I admitted last night I expected us to lose. Not because of Rhule or this current team, but over a decade of wandering in the desert of irrelevance. And seeing us colapse waiting for the other shoe to drop. Glad it didn't. Team showed some grit. I can respect that.

Do I think we are the in the best position since Bo was fired? Absolutely. Am I, as a fan, satisfied when we get our teeth kicked in by Minny? No. But there is improvement. Been fed a steady diet of moral victories and glad to see us starting to play better in all 3 phases. But without Ekler and EJ are we still sitting at 7-3....Probably not. Truly perplexing that our stats are very good and should point to a better record, but we don't. And at the end of the day, the only stat that matters is W-L. I am happy we are doing better, but won't be satisfied until we are in the hunt for the playoffs and the NC. Were we really in the talk this year or did our record require the conversation. I do think 99% of the talking heads want NU back. I think when the traditional blood bloods are winning its a good thing. And I think that this view is shared by fans, staff, players, admn etc...But that's just me.
 
lo country said:
Should of, could of, would of, but we didn't. Dylan getting hurt cost us the game, but we let them come back form 14 down and win. Great teams don't let that happen. They create a way to win. We are getting better in that as we are now actually winning 1 score games. I admitted last night I expected us to lose. Not because of Rhule or this current team, but over a decade of wandering in the desert of irrelevance. And seeing us colapse waiting for the other shoe to drop. Glad it didn't. Team showed some grit. I can respect that.

Do I think we are the in the best position since Bo was fired? Absolutely. Am I, as a fan, satisfied when we get our teeth kicked in by Minny? No. But there is improvement. Been fed a steady diet of moral victories and glad to see us starting to play better in all 3 phases. But without Ekler and EJ are we still sitting at 7-3....Probably not. Truly perplexing that our stats are very good and should point to a better record, but we don't. And at the end of the day, the only stat that matters is W-L. I am happy we are doing better, but won't be satisfied until we are in the hunt for the playoffs and the NC. Were we really in the talk this year or did our record require the conversation. I do think 99% of the talking heads want NU back. I think when the traditional blood bloods are winning its a good thing. And I think that this view is shared by fans, staff, players, admn etc...But that's just me.
Click to expand...
Nobody is saying we are a great team. We are improved. You asked how we can have tyeee stats but not in the playoffs.

It’s because we are a pretty good improved team, but we still have a few flaws.

I’m enjoying the year and this team.
 
BigRedBuster said:
Nobody is saying we are a great team. We are improved. You asked how we can have tyeee stats but not in the playoffs.

It’s because we are a pretty good improved team, but we still have a few flaws.

I’m enjoying the year and this team.
Click to expand...
Same. Frustrating tbh, but the first time back to back bowls since 2013/2014, starting to balance the 1 score loss record (under Rhule) and the most single season wins since 2016. I'll take it.

My complaints for less than stellar performances doesn't diminish my joy in watching them play. Win or lose I'm in. Not a fan only when we are winning.
 
Lots of players getting time in this game that I have not seen before- wonder if since there are less than 4 games left, that RS players are going to see the field-

Who is Berger- he seemed to get a fair amount of time on the defensive line. They referenced him briefly as being a transfer and not having much eligibility left?

GO BIG RED!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Man Eating Mastodon said:
Butlers issue right now is they are running Whites system to a degree and don't have the big boys in the middle of the line to plug holes, portal a few and his defense could be really salty next year! Enjoy the ride people
Click to expand...
On one of the pregame radio shows, it was mentioned that this year and last year are/were both averaging 19.6 points per game allowed. Obviously that was before this game so now it’s 19.74.

Ps….i might have the exact stat wrong, but that was the gist.
 
I heard this might happen. UCLA needs a stadium close to their campus. SoFi does nothing for them. The Rose Bowl is way more iconic for college football.
 
gobiggergoredder said:
They are not fast enough to be out of position. They also have to make the play when they have the opportunity. There’s been a lot of missed tackles this year.
Click to expand...
It’s also hard to see on tv because they zoom in on the QB but I think we’re sending the linebackers to get more push leaving the middle wide open. I don’t know much about scheme and such, but this is what it looks like to me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top