Early UCLA Turnovers Translate to Washington Win

In what could be the final regular-season game inside the Rose Bowl for UCLA, it was the Washington defense that initiated the pace. Ryan Walters’ defense forced three first-half turnovers, including two fumbles and a turnover on downs. The early momentum generated by the defense continued, and Washington held UCLA to just 208 yards on the evening. The Husky offense had another 100-yard rusher and tallied over 400 total yards in the 48-14 win over UCLA in Pasadena. 

Bruin Turnovers Translate to Husky Win

Four First-Half Turnovers

Deshawn Lynch entered the UCLA game tied for the team lead in pass breakups with six. He added to that total in the second quarter. Lynch broke up a Nico Iamaleava pass on first down. Four plays later, he forced a fumble on the quarterback. Lynch lined up on the left EDGE at the snap before dropping into a coverage window in the middle of the field. Iamaleava scrambled up the middle and towards the right side of the defense, and Lynch tracked him down, forced the fumble on the tackle, and grabbed the loose football. His range on the third-down play limited the quarterback to no gain and ultimately gave the Huskies the ball.

In addition to this sequence from Lynch, the Husky defense and special teams unit created four turnovers in the first half alone. The first was a turnover on downs on UCLA’s first offensive possession. It then forced and recovered three fumbles. Each fumble recovery resulted in points for the Huskies, and they contributed to a 20-0 lead entering the half. Entering Saturday’s game, the Bruins had lost just three penalties all season. They doubled that total inside the Rose Bowl on Saturday night. 

Defense & Special Team Turnovers

The other defensive fumble was forced by redshirt freshman Rahshawn Clark in the first quarter. His outstretched right arm pulled the football loose, and true freshman Dylan Robinson jumped on it. Robinson was starting in place of Tacario Davis, who was injured in practice on Thursday and out for the game. The recovery gave Washington the football at the Bruin 20-yard line and came away with a field goal. 

Late in the second quarter, Washington’s special teams unit recovered the third first-half fumble. UCLA attempted to fake a 45-yard field goal with under two minutes to play in the half. A field goal would have cut their deficit to 13-3. But instead, the fake attempt put the football on the grass, and Alex McLaughlin scooped it up and took it the other way for six. All of a sudden, it was 20-0 Washington. It was a lead that the Bruins would ultimately not overcome.

Run Game Continues 

UCLA’s run defense ranks among the worst in the FBS, and Washington attacked it all evening in Pasadena. Adam Mohammed earned his second career start in place of Jonah Coleman, who was limited due to the knee injury he suffered against Wisconsin. In this start, Mohammed earned the first 100-yard rushing performance of his career. He carried the football 21 times for 108 yards, averaging 5.1 per attempt.

His physical running style was on display on multiple occasions, including one on the team’s second drive of the game. It was 3rd and one, Mohammed took the handoff and was immediately hit about 2.5 yards behind the line. He bounced off the tackle, and somehow fought back to the line of scrimmage, and lunged forward for the first down. The Huskies ultimately punted on that drive, but Mohammed’s effort on that play was symbolic of his performance all evening.

Demond Williams was not sacked on Saturday and attempted six run attempts against the Bruins. On those attempts, he tallied 56 rushing yards (9.3 yards per carry) and scored two rushing touchdowns. The rushing scores went for 25 and 11 yards, and his elusiveness and speed at the second level were on display for each. Both rushing scores were on designed runs. Washington tallied 212 rushing yards (and 214 passing yards) against UCLA on Saturday.

Other Standouts

In addition to McLaughlin’s scoop-and-score touchdown, the Husky safety had an all-around performance against the Bruins. He notched a quality pass breakup in downfield coverage and also recorded a tackle for loss. McLaughlin led the Husky defense in tackles with eight. The defense notched six pass breakups in the game. And the Husky defensive line was responsible for three of those.

Offensively, Dezmen Roebuck increased his receiving touchdown total to six. He had seven catches for 96 yards against the Bruins. Omari Evans also reached a new season high in receptions with four on Saturday night. Decker DeGraaf also caught a 24-yard touchdown against the Bruins in his home city. The sophomore tight end is from San Dimas, California, in the Los Angeles area. He finished with three catches for 46 yards.

Looking Ahead

At 8-3 now on the season, Washington heads home for its final regular-season game. It will face a top 10 Oregon team on CBS at 12:30 pm PT the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Oregon is eying a College Football Playoff appearance and an outside shot at the Big Ten Championship Game. The Huskies have a chance to keep Oregon from those goals, reach nine wins, and keep a possible 10-win season alive in Fisch’s second year on Montlake.