This post was updated Oct. 20 at 11:26 a.m.

UCLA football (1-5, 0-4 Big Ten) is embarking on its farthest journey of the season to face Rutgers (4-2, 1-2) in New Jersey on Saturday. With the Scarlet Knights falling short in their last two contests and the Bruins winless since week one, both teams will enter Saturday’s contest with a chance to reenter the win column and gain momentum heading into the latter half of the season. Here is this week’s scouting report from reporter Noah Massey – who wishes UCLA was playing California or Stanford instead.

Rutgers’ Offense:
Offensive Scheme: Spread
Run-pass percentage: 57% run, 43% pass
Strength: Rushing
Weakness: Completing passes
X-factor: RB Kyle Monangai

After starting 4-0 for the first time since 2012 with its offense averaging 35 points per game, Rutgers’ early success has since petered out – scoring just 14 points in the past two games combined.

One cause for this offensive downturn lies with Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, who regressed tremendously in his past two starts, completing an average 39% of his passes while tossing only one touchdown to three interceptions and averaging a mere 4.2 yards per passing attempt.

The former Minnesota transfer is now ranked 114th of 115 qualified quarterbacks in completion percentage this season.

Kaliakmanis, who boasted a 61.4% completion percentage alongside seven touchdown passes through the season’s first four games, is still the only Scarlet Knight to attempt a pass this season and appears to be QB1 for Saturday’s contest.

With Kaliakmanis’ mediocre track record, the lifeblood of Rutgers’ 87th-ranked scoring offense is running back Kyle Monangai, who has averaged 5.5 yards per carry and 123 yards per game this season.

However, the 5-foot-9 senior has been limited in his last two contests, unable to eclipse 80 rushing yards in either game while averaging only 3.95 yards per carry. With backup running back Samuel Brown V now out for the season, Monangai has the opportunity to see even more carries in Rutgers’ run-heavy offense.

Kaliakmanis throws a majority of his passes to wide receivers Dymere Miller and Ian Strong as well as tight end Kenny Fletcher, who have combined for 54 catches this season. However, the Rutgers pass catchers as a whole struggled against Wisconsin, amassing a hefty eight drops against the Badgers.

Rutgers has also struggled on special teams, as kicker Jai Patel has gone 2 for 6 on the season – including just 1 for 3 on field goals from 30 to 39 yards.

With a UCLA defense currently ranked 13th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game, the Bruins will have the tools to try to force Kaliakmanis to beat them with his arm – something he has failed to do in either of his last two starts.

Rutgers’ Defense:
Defensive scheme: 4-2-5
Strength: Pass defense
Weakness: Rush defense
X-factor: DB Shaquan Loyal

The Scarlet Knights’ defense has similarly regressed after allowing 23 points or fewer in each of their first five contests.

It has since allowed Wisconsin 42 points as the Badgers averaged 6.6 yards per carry en route to 309 rushing yards last Saturday.

High opposing rushing totals have been a recurring problem for Rutgers, as the Scarlet Knights rank 110th in rushing yards allowed per game with 182.8 – a stark contrast to their 30th-ranked passing defense.

Following a season-ending preseason injury to linebacker Mohamed Toure, who amassed 93 tackles and paced the team with 4.5 sacks, Shaquan Loyal has been the X-factor for the defense. The defensive back has been instrumental in the Scarlet Knights’ pass defense, amassing four passes defended, two interceptions and 30 tackles this season.

While Rutgers’ offense struggled at Nebraska, its defense kept the squad in the game, holding quarterback Dylan Raiola to only 134 passing yards as the Cornhuskers amassed just 14 points throughout the contest.

Despite Rutgers’ struggles against the run, its defense remains the nation’s 35th-best scoring defense, only allowing 20.2 points per game. This success can be partially attributed to its red zone defense, which has only allowed points 68% of the time – good for ninth in the nation.

Considering the struggles UCLA’s offense has had running the ball this season, Rutgers’ struggles on the opposite side of the ball could create rushing opportunities for the Bruins, potentially removing pressure from redshirt senior quarterback Ethan Garbers.