UCLA left too many points on the field in Week 6 against Oregon, and the misses came at some of the worst possible moments.
The Bruins kept finding themselves in scoring range, especially near the end zone, but the offense never turned those chances into enough points. That lack of finishing touch mattered in a game that, if handled cleanly, could have swung into a comfortable UCLA win.
One of the first costly swings came late in the first half. UCLA reached the nine-yard line and lined up for a field goal with a chance to go up 13-6. Instead, Oregon’s interior push got through and the Ducks blocked the kick, preserving UCLA’s four-point cushion.
The Bruins still had a shot to respond after Oregon’s next possession lasted only 44 seconds and ended in a punt. UCLA got the ball back near midfield, but the drive evaporated almost immediately when Nico Iamaleava threw an interception 23 seconds in. Then, in a game full of wild momentum swings, Dylan Raiola handed it right back to UCLA, giving the Bruins another opening before halftime.
That chance died at the Ducks’ 22-yard line with 23 seconds left. Iamaleava tried to throw to the end zone, but Oregon safety Koi Perich came down with the pick. That closed out a miserable final two minutes for UCLA’s offense and wiped out a prime chance to extend the lead before the break.
The third quarter brought another opportunity, and again the Bruins came away empty. After UCLA’s defense forced a fumble, the offense started at Oregon’s 33-yard line with the score still 10-6. Seven plays later, UCLA had advanced 30 yards and faced fourth down at the goal line.
Rather than take the field goal and move ahead by seven, UCLA chose to go for the touchdown. The gamble failed. The Bruins were stopped at the line and turned the ball over on downs.
Those three sequences alone could have produced at least nine more points for UCLA, and that’s the part that has to be fixed. The Bruins created the chances. They just didn’t cash them in.
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UCLA Suddenly Has A New Offensive Question After Stunning Oregon Win
UCLAs 17-15 upset of Oregon in Eugene gave the Bruins a long-awaited breakthrough, their first win there since 2004, and it came with the kind of defensive backbone that can change a seasons mood in a hurry. Cornerbacks Scooter Jackson and TaShawn James helped make life miserable for the Ducks, while receiver Morgan emerged as the most dependable option in a passing game that never really found its comfort zone.
The victory, though, left UCLA with a fresh offensive question to sort through in the days ahead after the quarterback situation shifted in the second half and the Bruins had to lean on Ty Dieffenbach in difficult circumstances. He settled in well enough to keep the game moving, but with the starters status now part of the conversation and the passing attack still searching for consistency, UCLAs next step may depend as much on how it handles that position as on the confidence this win should provide. [Read more 🡒]
UCLAs Oregon Win May Have Created A Massive QB Problem
UCLAs win over Oregon came with a painful price, and it may change the shape of the season at the most important position on the field. Nico Iamaleava, who has been the Bruins starting quarterback, is expected to miss the rest of the year after suffering a knee injury in the game, leaving the staff to sort through a suddenly thin depth chart at quarterback.
Madden Iamaleava and Ty Dieffenbach are the names to watch as UCLA looks for its next starter, and the Bruins are also waiting on injury updates for Roderick Pleasant and Tao Johnson. Dieffenbach already saw action in the second half against Oregon, which at least gives UCLA a live in-game reference as it tries to figure out what comes next for an offense that just lost its centerpiece. [Read more 🡒]
UCLA Just Exposed A Huge Oregon Problem Fans Will Love
UCLAs win over Oregon did more than hand the Ducks another ugly result, it pulled back the curtain on a program that arrived with preseason heavyweight expectations and is now trying to steady itself after tumbling out of the rankings. The offense was the main culprit in the loss, with turnovers and inconsistency overshadowing a defense that has at least gotten a better recent stretch from tackle AMauri Washington and a punting game that has been solid whenever Bailey Ettridge has been asked to work.
The bigger concern is the quarterback situation, because Oregons path forward is far less clear than it was a few weeks ago. Dante Moores status remains uncertain after the concussion issue, and Dylan Raiolas first start did not provide much relief against UCLA, leaving the Ducks searching for answers while running back Jordon Davison continues to score without yet breaking through for a 100-yard rushing game this season. [Read more 🡒]