O-line credited in win against Virginia after improving from last year
Junior right tackle Caleb Benenoch (middle) helped freshman quarterback Josh Rosen (left) shine in his first career start. Benenoch and the UCLA offensive line only allowed one sack all day. (Daniel Alcazar/Daily Bruin senior staff)
By Matt Joye
Sept. 7, 2015 2:42 p.m.
PASADENA — This UCLA football story is almost the opposite of what was written about a year ago.
On Aug. 30, 2014, the Bruins sputtered out of the gates in their season opener, and the offensive line was the culprit. The unit allowed five quarterback sacks and 14 quarterback hits, nearly costing UCLA the game against Virginia.
On Saturday, the Bruin O-line was very much the reason why UCLA blew Virginia away, 34-16.
Gone were the sacks, the quarterback hits, the hurries. The Cavaliers managed to get one sack against the Bruins, but it was for a mere one-yard loss. UCLA ended the game with four offensive touchdowns – three more than last year’s total against Virginia.
“The primary credit goes to the offensive line,” said coach Jim Mora. “They’ve worked really hard to get where they are. … I like the direction we’re headed with those guys. They’re mature, calm (and) they don’t get rattled.”
They paved the way for a record-breaking performance by their quarterback. Josh Rosen set UCLA true freshman records with 28 completions and 351 yards, and rarely had to step outside the pocket all day.
“The offensive line kept me upright – I think that was probably the best thing of the day,” Rosen said. “I think (there) was only one sack, and it was my fault.”
Rosen was in-sync with his offensive linemen for seemingly the entire game. When they blocked for him, he stayed in the pocket; when they missed blocks, he stepped up in the pocket and dodged a couple would-be sacks. He finished the day taking only six quarterback hits, though he was hit after passing a handful of times.
“For a young guy, (Rosen) has pretty good pocket presence,” Mora said. “You know, he generally stays between the tackles. And I think when you’re an offensive lineman and you understand where the quarterback is going to be, it helps you a little bit.”
UCLA offensive linemen haven’t had that type of help before. In the last three seasons, with scrambler quarterback Brett Hundley under center, they’ve needed to adjust on the fly. It wasn’t always easy.
“It makes our job easier not having a runner back there (at quarterback),” said junior right tackle Caleb Benenoch on Aug. 11. “(This year) we know where our quarterback’s gonna be – it’s in the pocket. It makes it harder on defensive ends because our quarterback is sitting way closer to the pocket than he used to.”
Benenoch’s prediction proved to be right on Saturday. The Cavaliers brought the blitz every bit as much as they did against the Bruins last year, but didn’t achieve nearly as much success.
“We’re a much better offensive line than we were last year,” Benenoch said after the game. “Like I say all the time: We’re veterans now.”
The word “veterans” is perhaps an understatement. After Saturday’s game, the UCLA offensive linemen have a combined 136 career starts. No other team in the country has more.
For a team with a true freshman starting at quarterback, that’s about the best thing you can ask for.
