As UCLA heads into Saturday’s Week 4 game against Maryland, two matchups stand out right away: whether the Bruins can slow down a quarterback who has been sharp and careful with the ball, and whether UCLA’s own receiver picture finally starts to come into focus.
Maryland quarterback Malik Washington has been one of the most efficient passers in the country through three weeks. He has piled up 892 passing yards, which ranks 12th nationally, and he’s done it without giving the ball away, tossing six touchdowns and no interceptions.
That puts a spotlight on a UCLA defense that has at least created one takeaway in every game so far. But the Bruins’ last outing left plenty to clean up, especially on the back end.
Against Purdue, UCLA gave up 378 passing yards, and Washington is coming off a strong 359-yard, three-touchdown performance against Virginia Tech. If UCLA wants to get to 4-0, it has to be much better against Maryland’s passing game.
The challenge does not stop with Washington. Maryland wideout Chris Durr Jr. has also been productive, sitting 36th in the nation with 256 receiving yards. He has gotten better in every game this season, adding to his receptions, yards and touchdowns each week, and that trend is exactly what UCLA has to interrupt on Saturday.
How the Bruins handle him will be worth watching. Scooter Jackson would seem likely to draw the initial assignment, but a rotation that also includes Rodrick Pleasant would not be a surprise if UCLA wants to keep bodies on Durr.
On the other side of the ball, UCLA still has not settled its wide receiver pecking order. No one has clearly taken hold of the No. 1 role yet, though injuries have played a part in that. This matchup against Maryland should offer the clearest look yet at which receiver is ready to emerge now that, for the first time since the first half against Cal, the Bruins have all of their WR1 candidates healthy.
That does not include Mikey Matthews, who was recently ruled out for the rest of the season because of a foot injury.
For now, Semaj Morgan leads UCLA with 12 catches, and he looks like he may be starting to separate from the pack. Brian Rowe is also in the mix to become Nico Iamaleava’s top target, while Landon Ellis will get his chance after missing a game and a half with a head injury.
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UCLA Has A Real Chance To Break Through This Week
UCLA has spent the first three weeks building a real case that this start is more than a hot stretch. Under Bob Chesney, the Bruins are 3-0, the offense has looked sharp, and the defense has repeatedly found ways to create turnovers, giving this team the kind of balance that can travel through a long season. A matchup with Maryland now offers a chance to keep the momentum rolling and move one step closer to a 4-0 start.
The bigger picture is where this gets interesting for the Bruins. A strong showing against Maryland could push UCLA into the AP Top 25 conversation, but the path there is not entirely in its own hands because other results around the country will matter too. There is also the lingering question of whether the defense can stay consistent from week to week, and that makes this a pivotal test even before the rankings talk really heats up. [Read more 🡒]
UCLA Heads To Maryland With One Health Concern Still Looming
UCLA heads into its second conference game against Maryland with the injury report still shaping the conversation around the Bruins as much as the matchup itself. Tao Johnson is set to miss his third full game, Mikey Matthews is already out for the season after foot surgery, and Josh Phifer has sat out the last two games, leaving the staff to keep piecing together the roster as league play ramps up.
Maryland brings its own health issues to the meeting, with a much longer report that includes 21 players and 16 listed out for the game. For UCLA, the concern is less about the numbers on the other side and more about how long it can keep absorbing these absences before the lineup starts to show the strain in a conference race where every week seems to tighten the margin for error. [Read more 🡒]
Sammy Omosigho Is Giving UCLA A Draft Storyline Fans Should Notice
Sammy Omosigho has quietly become one of the more interesting defensive stories around UCLA over the last three games. The linebacker, who transferred in from Oklahoma, has led the Bruins in tackles, sacks and forced fumbles during that stretch, a burst of production that stands out not just for the team, but against what he had done in his previous seasons with the Sooners.
For a defense still sorting itself out, Omosighos role has started to feel bigger by the week, especially with him serving as a captain. He is still viewed by many as a late-day three or undrafted type, but that part of the conversation can change quickly if he keeps stacking plays like this. Scouts are expected to keep a close eye on how he develops from here, because UCLA may have found a player whose best tape is arriving at the right time. [Read more 🡒]