Football Monday: UCLA v. Colorado

Every UCLA football Saturday has so much more to it than a win or a loss. That’s why each postgame Monday, the Daily Bruin will break down the Bruins’ most recent game, outlining the good, the bad and the verdict for their performance.

This week, we take a closer look at UCLA’s 40-37 win over Colorado on Saturday at Folsom Field.

The Good: Running game

The Bruins rushed for 309 yards and four touchdowns and they needed to, given redshirt junior quarterback Brett Hundley’s struggles through the air.

Redshirt sophomore running back Paul Perkins set the tone right away with a 92-yard touchdown run on UCLA’s first official play from scrimmage. Perkins finished with 180 yards, coming four yards shy of hitting the 1,000-yard mark for the season. Hundley added 110 yards on the ground, converting on the game-winning touchdown run.

While its offense struggled at times, UCLA was able to lean on its running game to get consistent yards. In fact, the Bruins averaged more yards per play running (8.4) than passing (8.3).

The Bad: Penalties

There’s lots to be critical of when a team that has struggled this season as much as Colorado comes close to winning. While penalties weren’t the deciding factor, they certainly stand out on the stat sheet. The Bruins were flagged 14 times for 121 yards – they essentially gave Colorado a free touchdown with over an entire football field’s worth of penalty yards.

The timing of penalties was bad, too. On consecutive plays, redshirt sophomore cornerback Ishmael Adams committed penalties that negated UCLA interceptions and gave Colorado a free 30 yards. The Buffaloes scored on the drive.

Coach Jim Mora was seen disagreeing with several of the calls on the sideline, and commented on the penalty calls indirectly after the game.

“I think there’s things that people need to do with regards to penalties,” Mora said. “But, I’m not going to talk about penalties, I mean that’s a joke.”

The Verdict: Bowl eligible

It was an ugly game, but as several Bruins pointed out afterwards, a win is a win. And this being UCLA’s sixth win of the season, the Bruins are now eligible for a bowl game. The quality of the bowl game will be determined by how UCLA does from this point forward.

All but two of UCLA’s games now have been decided by eight or fewer points. Colorado was likely the last chance UCLA would have at earning a convincing victory, as UCLA’s final four opponents are Arizona, Washington, USC and Stanford.

Given the Bruins’ apparent lack of a killer instinct, even if they jump out to a lead in one of those games, as they did Saturday, it could be tough for them to keep it; UCLA allowed Colorado to score 17 fourth-quarter points Saturday, letting the Buffaloes tie the game. Now eight games into the season, UCLA has formed an identity of making enough mistakes to allow opponents to keep it close and there’s no reason to think that’ll change going forward.

“Keeping it interesting, you know I think that’s kinda who we are right now,” Mora said. “Fight and scrap and we are not perfect.”

Player of the Game: Eric Kendricks

As he does nearly every week, redshirt senior linebacker Eric Kendricks led the Bruins in tackles with 16 against Colorado. It wasn’t just the number, but how important many of those tackles were. Kendricks prevented several big plays with diving tackles to bring down Colorado ball-carriers who had lots of space in front of them. On one Colorado run, the running back cut back towards the left sideline and looked to be free for at least a 20-yard gain but Kendricks lunged and caught him from behind after only a few yards.

On top of the tackles, Kendricks added an interception for good measure. For a defense that struggled at time with tackling and defending the run, Kendricks provided a constant stabilizing presence that helped the Bruins preserve the victory.

Quote of the game: Coach Jim Mora on what UCLA needs to change after so many close games.

“You mean winning? Well, we’re 6-2. So I hope nothing changes.”

Compiled by Kevin Bowman, Bruin Sports senior staff.