Brian Ward’s defense did not allow a single point to UCLA in the first half of this football game in what might have been an even better performance than Washington’s. Arizona State leads Collin Schlee and UCLA by a score of 3-0.
It’s not like UCLA didn’t have a chance. They reached the red zone three separate times. However, they did not elect to kick the field goal once. The first time UCLA reached the red zone was on their second drive of the game early in the second quarter. They made it to the ASU 25 before ASU’s Caleb McCullough forced a fumble on a run by Anthony Adkins, and it was ASU’s ball.
The second time UCLA reached the red zone was the next drive, where they made it to first and goal from the ASU 5. From there, they ran it four straight times with Carson Steele and did not get in the endzone.
The next drive UCLA started on the ASU 18. They threw a 9-yard pass on first down to Keegan Jones, bringing up 2nd and 1. From there, the Ward Wall held up, and UCLA ran it three straight times and could not get that one yard. Arizona State once again got the ball back.
Now, it’s not UCLA’s fault entirely. They have to use a 3rd string QB after their starter and backup both got hurt last week. However, their starter practiced all week, so Collin Schlee probably didn’t get a ton of reps with the first team. UCLA has 169 yards of offense, including 113 rushing yards. They have only attempted nine passes, though.
On the other hand, Arizona State has done almost nothing on offense. They only have 130 yards of offense; they just agreed to kick a field goal on one drive and gave themselves a 3-0 lead. Arizona State also had a crucial interception in the red zone when Bourguet tried to take a shot, and it backfired. There was a miscommunication, and no receiver was anywhere in the area.
Kenny Dillingham is running a diamond formation this entire game, something I have never seen before. He is putting the quarterback and center in the middle of the field with an RB and TE blocking. Then he has everyone else lined up outside, blocking for the quick screens. It’s been decently successful and completely limiting the hits to Bourguet. It has taken away the amazing UCLA pass rush.
Arizona State’s defense is holding up, but we have seen this before. Can the ASU offense score some points to take the pressure off of Brian Ward’s unit?
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