UCLA gets a different kind of test this week when Purdue comes to Westwood, and the Bruins can’t afford another slow start if they want to move to 3-0.
The first two games have shown that UCLA can handle more than one style of offense. Cal leaned on the pass, San Diego State tried to grind things out on the ground, and the Bruins’ defense held up against both looks. That should matter again now, because Purdue brings a more balanced attack than either of those teams, with a clear chance to lean on the air.
Ryan Browne has been the headliner for the Boilermakers. The starting quarterback ranks 13th in the nation with 646 passing yards, and he just threw for 329 yards and a touchdown in Purdue’s double-overtime loss to Wake Forest. That’s the kind of production that forces a defense to stay sharp snap after snap.
Purdue’s offense is not one-dimensional, though. Fame Ijeboi has given the Boilermakers a strong answer on the ground, and he comes in off a huge night against Wake Forest: 27 carries, 114 yards and three touchdowns. For UCLA, keeping him contained is a major part of the assignment.
The good news for the Bruins is that Purdue’s run defense has also shown some fight. Wake Forest’s top rusher in that game was quarterback Gio Lopez with 59 yards, and no Demon Deacon averaged better than 5.0 yards per carry against the Boilermakers. That sets up an interesting matchup for UCLA if it can get Wayne Knight going early and force Purdue to deal with a steady run game.
Bob Chesney is likely to keep using a committee approach on the ground, and that kind of depth could matter if UCLA wants to wear Purdue down over four quarters. Fresh legs have a chance to make a real difference if the Bruins can keep feeding the backfield.
Still, this is not the kind of opponent that should overwhelm UCLA on paper. The danger is simpler than that: if the Bruins don’t start fast, Purdue can make things uncomfortable. UCLA has opened slowly in both of its games so far, and if the Boilermakers land the first punch, the Bruins will be in a spot they haven’t seen much yet this season.
In Other News...
UCLA Just Made A New Move That Reaches Far Beyond The Sidelines
UCLA Athletics has lined up another off-field addition for its marquee programs, announcing a multiyear partnership with JLab that makes the company the Official Headphone Sponsor of UCLA Football and UCLA Mens and Womens Basketball beginning this fall. The deal extends beyond a logo placement, with JLab branding set to appear on coaches headsets and the company also working with select student-athletes through its NIL roster.
The agreement was put together with JMI Sports, UCLA Athletics multimedia rights partner, and it adds another commercial layer around a department that has been leaning into outside deals across major programs. For UCLA, the broader value of a partnership like this is as much about visibility and modern branding as it is about the equipment itself, especially with football and both basketball teams carrying so much of the schools public profile. [Read more 🡒]
UCLAs First Big Ten Test Will Say A Lot About Chesneys Start
UCLA has opened 2-0 under new coach Bob Chesney, and the early returns have given the Bruins a little breathing room before the schedule gets real. A trip into Big Ten play against Purdue now offers a better read on where this team actually stands, especially with an offensive line built in part around several transfers from James Madison holding up well through the first two games.
Purdue brings its own challenge, and this one should tell a lot about Chesneys start because the Boilermakers have looked better in their second season under Barry Odom. Quarterback Ryan Browne and running back Fame Ijeboi give Purdue enough balance to make UCLA defend with discipline, which is exactly the kind of test that can reveal whether the Bruins fast start is built to last. [Read more 🡒]
UCLA Is 2-0 But The Bruins Already Have One Big Concern
UCLAs home opener at the Rose Bowl ended with a comfortable 28-10 win over San Diego State, and Bob Chesneys team is 2-0 to start the season. Wayne Knight powered the offense with three rushing touchdowns, including a late 36-yard burst, while the defense settled in after halftime and helped put the game away by tightening up against the run and creating turnovers.
Still, the result came with an obvious concern for the Bruins. Nico Iamaleava never really found a rhythm behind shaky protection, and his passing numbers reflected a night in which UCLA leaned more on the ground game than it probably wants to long term. For a team trying to build momentum early, the next step is getting the offense cleaner around its quarterback, because the defense may not be able to carry that load every week. [Read more 🡒]