UCLA heads to College Park for its second conference game, and the Bruins’ injury picture is starting to look a little better as they move deeper into league play. The challenge now is Maryland, a team coming off a 35-26 loss to Virginia Tech that still has enough in the tank to make things uncomfortable if UCLA lets up. If the Bruins aren’t sharp, they could head back to Westwood at 3-1.
The initial injury report came out Wednesday, and it doesn’t look all that different from what UCLA was dealing with before Week Three against Purdue. The most significant name remains Tao Johnson, who is set to miss his third straight full game after getting hurt at the start of the opener against Cal. There’s still reason to hope he returns soon, but the fact that he isn’t even listed as questionable in the first report does not exactly point toward a quick comeback.
Mikey Matthews is also out, and that one is already settled. It was reported that his season is over for UCLA after he underwent season-ending foot surgery.
Josh Phifer has now sat out the last two games, and getting him back against the Terrapins would be a welcome boost.
Aidan Mizell is back on the report again, which has become a familiar sight. UCLA still hasn’t gotten a full healthy game out of him, and his injury history stretches back to Florida before carrying over to Westwood.
Even with those absences, UCLA has enough depth to absorb some of the damage. The Bruins would obviously prefer to have everyone available, but they do have enough talent to keep things moving.
Maryland, though, is dealing with a much heavier load. The Terrapins listed 21 players on their injury report, and 16 of them are already ruled out for the game against UCLA.
A win on Saturday would send UCLA into its bye week with plenty of confidence.
In Other News...
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 Faces Two Pressure Points That Could Define Week 4
Maryland brings a passing game that has already asked questions of opposing defenses, and UCLA enters Week 4 with a couple of areas under the microscope. Quarterback Malik Washington has been efficient through the air, while receiver Chris Durr Jr. has kept growing as a target, giving the Bruins a real test for a secondary that has looked vulnerable at times.
On the other side, UCLA is still searching for a clear lead option at wide receiver after recent injuries have thinned the room. That puts more pressure on the offense to find someone who can step into a bigger role, and it also raises the stakes for a defense that needs a cleaner showing in the back end if the Bruins want to leave this matchup feeling better about where they stand. [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 🡒]